Benoîte Rencurel

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Benoîte (Benedicta) Rencurel (1647 – December 28, 1718) was a French shepherdess who is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church for her role in the apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the late 17th century. These apparitions occurred in the small town of Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, near Gap, in southeastern France, leading to the establishment of a sanctuary that has become a site of pilgrimage known as Our Lady of Laus.

Life

Benoîte Rencurel was born in 1647 in Saint-Étienne-le-Laus, France, to a poor and pious family. From a young age, she was known for her piety and devotion to the Virgin Mary. At the age of 17, while tending her sheep in a valley near her home, she reported her first vision of the Virgin Mary. This marked the beginning of a series of apparitions that would continue over several decades.

The Virgin Mary, according to Rencurel, asked her to build a church at the site of the apparitions and to encourage people to come on pilgrimage. The messages she received emphasized penance, conversion, and the importance of the Sacrament of Penance (confession). Despite initial skepticism from local authorities and the church hierarchy, the authenticity of her visions was eventually recognized by the Bishop of Gap.

Apparitions

The apparitions at Laus are unique in the history of Marian apparitions for their duration, lasting from 1664 until Rencurel's death in 1718. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to Rencurel numerous times, delivering messages that stressed the importance of prayer, penance, and the sacraments in the Christian life.

One of the most notable aspects of the Laus apparitions is the emphasis on the healing power of the sacraments, particularly confession. Many pilgrims who visited Laus reported miraculous healings and conversions, further increasing the site's fame and leading to the establishment of a sanctuary dedicated to Our Lady of Laus.

Legacy

Benoîte Rencurel's experiences contributed significantly to the spiritual life of the region and the broader Catholic Church. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus became a center for pilgrimage, attracting thousands of visitors each year. In 2008, the Holy See officially recognized the apparitions, affirming their importance in the Catholic tradition.

Rencurel's life and the apparitions at Laus have been the subject of various studies and publications, highlighting her role as a visionary and the impact of her experiences on the development of Catholic piety and devotion.

Veneration

Benoîte Rencurel has not been canonized by the Roman Catholic Church, but she is venerated as a holy woman whose life and visions have inspired many. The sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus continues to be a site of pilgrimage and prayer, where the faithful come to seek spiritual solace and the intercession of the Virgin Mary.

See Also

• Marian apparitions
• Roman Catholic Mariology
• Pilgrimage sites in France