Our Lady of Laus (1664–1718)
The story in one line
Benoite Rencurel reported Marian apparitions at Laus over many years in the late seventeenth century.
The basic story
Benoîte Rencurel reported Marian apparitions at Laus in the French Alps over a span of 54 years. In 2008 the bishop of Gap and Embrun officially recognized the supernatural character of the apparitions.
Reported message
Historical setting
The Laus tradition is rooted in the late seventeenth century in the French Alps, where Benoite Rencurel's reported visions gradually shaped a pilgrimage center over many decades.
Span
1664–1718
The sanctuary emphasizes 54 years of apparitions, making Laus one of the longest major Marian traditions.
Visionary
Benoîte Rencurel
The public shrine history presents her as a poor, illiterate shepherdess from Saint-Étienne.
Recognition
Official decree on May 4, 2008
The bishop of Gap and Embrun issued the decree after historical, theological, and scientific commissions.
Shrine focus
Repentance, confession, and reconciliation
The sanctuary presents that mission as central from the first years of pilgrimage onward.
The story
Section titled “The story”At Notre-Dame du Laus, the shepherdess Benoîte Rencurel reported Marian apparitions beginning in 1664 and continuing for 54 years, until her death in 1718.[1]
The official sanctuary history emphasizes:
- Benoîte’s identity as a poor, illiterate shepherdess[1]
- Mary’s call to Laus as a place for repentance and return to God[1]
- the building of a church and reception of pilgrims soon after the early apparitions[1]
Primary-source file
Section titled “Primary-source file”This page gives the 1664 chronology, early pilgrimage growth, manuscript witnesses, and the 2008 decree process.
sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com Official place dossier Bon-Rencontre chapel and the request for a churchThe sanctuary places the decisive September 30, 1664 turn at Bon-Rencontre, where Benoîte says Mary asked for a church and priests.
sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com Official sanctuary life Current Masses, confessions, adoration, and pilgrim receptionThe schedule page shows that the reconciliation-focused shrine life continues with daily confession, Mass, adoration, and pilgrim services.
sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.comPublicly documented chronology
Section titled “Publicly documented chronology”The early chronology
Section titled “The early chronology”The sanctuary’s history gives a more detailed sequence than most apparition sites. After a homily in May 1664, Benoîte desired to meet the Mother of Mercy; at the Vallon des Fours she then reported a series of early apparitions, including a period when the Lady returned daily for about two months without speaking.[1] [2]
The story then shifts to the hamlet of Laus itself. On September 30, 1664, Benoîte reached the chapel of Bon-Rencontre, where the Virgin was said to ask for a church and a house for priests so that pilgrims could be received and hear confessions there.[1] [3]
The diocesan authorities authorized pilgrimage, construction of the church, and the installation of priests, and the sanctuary says that about 130,000 pilgrims came in the first 18 months while reports of healings and conversions multiplied.[1]
What the sanctuary emphasizes
Section titled “What the sanctuary emphasizes”The sanctuary history emphasizes the apparitions’ 54-year span.[1]
The sanctuary history states that the modern recognition process explicitly involved:
- theological review
- historical review
- scientific review
- consultation with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before the local decree[1]
The sanctuary also presents Benoîte’s later life as part of the case history. She moved to Laus full-time in 1672, welcomed pilgrims for decades, and was remembered for a ministry of prayer, penance, and discernment.[1] [3]
The sanctuary identifies four principal manuscript authors, including Jean Peytieu and Pierre Gaillard, and says that about 1,800 pages of testimony were preserved and later recopied for researchers.[1]
Formal recognition
Section titled “Formal recognition”The sanctuary history states that while pilgrimage to Laus had long been authorized, the apparitions themselves were formally recognized only on May 4, 2008, when Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco Léandri promulgated the decree of recognition after the required commissions and Roman consultation.[1]
The cited sanctuary history therefore presents Laus as an older apparition tradition with a formal recognition decree issued in 2008.[1]
The sanctuary today
Section titled “The sanctuary today”The current sanctuary schedule underlines how thoroughly Laus still presents itself as a reconciliation shrine. The public page lists:
- daily Masses and a large block of confession hours[4]
- Eucharistic adoration and weekly holy hours[4]
- reception of pilgrims, prayer intentions, and the continued distribution of the oil of the Laus[4]
That living sacramental rhythm matches the sanctuary’s own presentation of the apparitions.
References
Section titled “References”- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus. “Histoire du Laus.” Official sanctuary history of Benoîte Rencurel, the 54 years of apparitions, the manuscript witnesses, early pilgrimage growth, and the 2008 decree of recognition. Available at: https://www.sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com/le-message/histoire
- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus. “Vallon des Fours.” Official sanctuary page describing the first 1664 apparitions and the period of repeated silent visits. Available at: https://www.sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com/le-message/les-lieux-emblematiques/vallon-des-fours
- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus. “Bon-Rencontre.” Official sanctuary page on the chapel of the apparitions, the request for a church, and the later shape of the pilgrimage site. Available at: https://www.sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com/le-message/les-lieux-emblematiques/bon-rencontre
- Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Laus. “Les horaires.” Official sanctuary schedule listing present-day confessions, Masses, adoration, pilgrim reception, and other shrine life at Laus. Available at: https://www.sanctuaire-notredamedulaus.com/horaires