What happened on 29 November 1932 in Beauraing?

29 November 1932 marks an unforgettable date for our little town of Beauraing. On that day, an extraordinary event took place: the beginning of the Marian apparitions that were to attract worldwide attention and transform Beauraing into a major place of pilgrimage.

The first witnesses: the Voisin and Degeimbre children

Fernande and Albert Voisin, accompanied by the two Degeimbre girls (Andrée and Gilberte), had an extraordinary encounter on their way to pick up their little sister Gilberte on Tuesday 29 November.

As they waited near the door of the boarding school, Albert was the first to notice a ‘lady in white walking in the air above the grotto’. His description of the vision quickly attracted the attention of the other children, who also observed a woman dressed in white, with her hands clasped together, who seemed to be bathed in a mysterious light. Surprised and frightened, the children fled, but returned to tell what they had seen.

From then on, the apparitions were to be repeated several times over the following weeks.

A series of deeply moving appearances

Between 29 November 1932 and 3 January 1933, the Virgin is said to have appeared to children 33 times. During these manifestations, she is said to have delivered messages of love, prayer and penance. She presented herself as the ‘Virgin of the Golden Heart’, showing her heart beaming with light. These simple but powerful messages left a lasting impression and encouraged thousands of believers to visit the site.

Reactions and ecclesiastical enquiry

The apparitions quickly attracted the attention not only of the inhabitants of Beauraing, but also of faithful from neighbouring regions. The ecclesiastical authorities launched an in-depth investigation to verify the authenticity of the events and assess the children’s testimonies.

After years of study, the Catholic Church officially recognised the apparitions in 1949. The Virgin’s messages were judged to be consistent with doctrine and deeply spiritual. This recognition strengthened Beauraing as a place of faith and devotion.

Beauraing today: a place of pilgrimage

Since this momentous event, Beauraing has become a pilgrimage site where thousands of people come every year to pray and meditate. The sanctuary of Notre-Dame de Beauraing was built to welcome the faithful, and the thorn tree where the Virgin is said to have appeared remains a central symbol of this mystical episode.

29 November 1932 represents much more than just a day in the history of Beauraing: it was the beginning of a spiritual experience that continues to inspire believers around the world.

Resources :
Mgr Toussaint – C. Joset s.j. (1981) Beauraing Les apparitions. Desclée de Brouwer.

Pictures:
Sanctuary of Beauraing (Facebook page)

Want to find out more about Beauraing’s history and heritage?
Take a look at our blog: https://www.beauraingtourisme.be/articles/