Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Golden Heart of Beauraing
A place of grace, visited 33 times by the Virgin Mary from November 29, 1932 to January 3, 1933, appearing to 5 children from the town of Beauraing. Located between the provinces of Namur and Luxembourg in a small town surrounded by nature, this sanctuary has become a place of pilgrimage, renewal, and inner consolation for people from all over the world since the Blessed Virgin invited them to come.
Retreats organized by the community
The history of Beauraing sanctuary
Beauraing, a small town previously unknown, was thrust into the spotlight on November 29, 1932. That evening, the Virgin Mary appeared to five children from the town. The event repeated itself 33 times, until the last apparition on January 3, 1933.
The child witnesses
These five children belonged to two families:
- Voisin family: Fernande (15 years old), Gilberte (13 years old), Albert (11 years old)
- Degeimbre family: Andrée (14 years old), Gilberte (9 years old)
On November 29, 1932, around 6:30 PM, four of the children were going to pick up Gilberte Voisin who had stayed for study hall at the Boarding School of the Sisters of Christian Doctrine of Nancy. To do so, they had to cross the garden from the main street.
As they were about to ring the doorbell, Albert suddenly turned around and exclaimed: "Look at the Virgin Mary, all in white, walking above the bridge!"
The three girls turned around and also saw the Virgin Mary, brilliant as the sun, walking with hands joined on a cloud.
Sister Valeria then opened the door for them and, surprised by their unusual agitation, listened to their account with skepticism. Seeing nothing herself, she called Gilberte Voisin, who, upon passing through the door, also saw the apparition. Frightened, the children ran away.
Their parents did not believe their story. But the next day, at the same hour, the Virgin appeared to them again.
Repeated apparitions
On the third evening, the parents accompanied the children. They were impressed seeing them fall to their knees, simultaneously, looking at the same point in the night.
Shortly after, the Virgin reappeared, this time on a holly bush, very close to them. The fear disappeared immediately, replaced by wonder at her blue eyes and her gentle smile. The children then said they were ready to die to see her again.
Reactions and relocation of the apparition
The superior of the boarding school, Mother Théophile Lannoy, skeptical, had the gates closed on the property and released two dogs to keep the children and onlookers away. The children then gathered in front of the gates, and the Virgin moved the location of the apparition: she now appeared under a hawthorn tree, a place that would become the center of the sanctuary.
Messages and teachings
The Virgin did not appear every day, nor did she always give a message. She taught perseverance and prayer.
Some notable exchanges:
- Albert asked: "What do you expect of us?" She answered: "To be very good."
- During a second apparition the same day: "Is it true that you will always be good?"
When asked about the meaning of "being good," little Gilberte Degeimbre, 9 years old, answered:
"For me, being good means bringing everything back to God, making one's life a single prayer."
Other requests from the Virgin
Priests asked the children to pose a question to the Virgin: "What can we do for you?" She answered: "A chapel."
This chapel was built 20 years later, at the center of the sanctuary.
Our Lady of the Golden Heart
During the last four apparitions, the Virgin revealed on her chest her Golden Heart, giving birth to the invocation of "Our Lady of the Golden Heart".
Recognition by the Church
A ten-year investigation was conducted by the Church. On February 2, 1943, Bishop André-Marie Charue, Bishop of Namur, officially recognized the supernatural character of the apparitions at Beauraing.
What to expect during your stay
Beauraing Sanctuary: an ideal setting for a spiritual retreat
Throughout the year, the sanctuary offers various events open to all, as well as several retreats organized during the pilgrimage season (from May to September).
But above all, the sanctuary aims to be a place of unconditional welcome, in the image of the Virgin Mary, who appeared here with open arms, revealing her Golden Heart.
Located in the heart of the town of Beauraing, in the midst of daily life, this place encourages contemplation and prayer, whether personal or in groups. Many visitors are touched by the image of the maternal goodness of the Blessed Virgin.
The sanctuary offers:
- Daily Mass,
- A time of adoration each afternoon,
- Confession available throughout the day,
- The rosary prayer at the hour of the apparitions (6:30 PM).
The sanctuary also welcomes parishes, catechism or prayer groups, movements, and schools wishing to experience one or more days of spiritual retreat.
Customized guest house accommodation for your retreat in Beauraing
The Notre-Dame Guest House consists of three buildings, offering a level of comfort adapted to all budgets and different types of retreats:
- Maison de l'Accueil (Welcome House)
16 single rooms, 21 double rooms and 1 triple room, all with private bathrooms.
This building has a chapel that can accommodate up to 75 people.
- Le Rayon d'Or (The Golden Ray)
36 single rooms and 7 double rooms, equipped with a sink in the room and shared bathrooms in the hallways.
- Béthanie (Bethany)
18 single rooms with private bathrooms, located in a more secluded and quiet building, ideal for a solitary retreat.
Béthanie has its own intimate chapel with a capacity of 20 people.
All these buildings combined can accommodate up to 147 people.
Available spaces for meetings and spiritual gatherings
- Meeting rooms
Various rooms are available, from small spaces for about ten people to large halls seating 200.
Most are equipped with sound systems, projection equipment and have Wi-Fi access.
- Places of worship
Several churches and chapels are available, with a capacity ranging from 50 to 1,500 pilgrims.
Dining services
- Sanctuary cafeteria
Open from 10:30 AM to 6:30 PM, it allows you to eat or have a hot or cold drink in an environment conducive to prayer and contemplation.
- Picnic areas
Rooms are also available for packed lunches, individually or in groups.
.jpeg)
Various offerings at Beauraing Sanctuary
The sanctuary provides pilgrims, visitors and groups with a range of spaces and services adapted to prayer, formation and hospitality:
- Group activities: conferences, testimonies, spiritual or catechetical programs.
- Guided tours: discovery of the sanctuary, the history of the apparitions and the meaning of the Virgin Mary's messages.
- Projection room: opportunity to watch a 15-minute film retracing the history of the apparitions.
- Marian museum: dedicated to devotion to Our Lady of the Golden Heart.
- Permanent exhibition: richly documented, it traces the history of the apparitions and explores in depth the spiritual message transmitted to the children.
- Stations of the Cross: to accompany personal or group prayer.
- Religious shop: wide selection of items (candles, statues, medals, books for all ages, comic books, films, etc.).
- Large parking lot: accessible to cars and buses.
Geography and activities
Although modest in size, the town of Beauraing offers all necessary amenities, making it a particularly appreciated destination for families and elderly people.
Located halfway between Namur and Luxembourg, Beauraing is also only 10 minutes from the French border, via the town of Givet.
The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Golden Heart is situated on the edge of town, in a peaceful setting conducive to contemplation and prayer, while remaining close to town services for those who need them.
The surroundings of Beauraing also offer numerous opportunities for walks and hikes, particularly in the Saint-Pierre and Sainte-Marie Castels park, located about a ten-minute walk from the sanctuary. An ideal setting to combine spirituality and relaxation in nature accessible to all.
A sanctuary in the heart of a region rich in nature, culture and spirituality
Located in the heart of the Famenne region, the sanctuary benefits from a remarkable natural setting, ideal for walks and hikes. A few meters from the sanctuary, Beauraing's tourism office provides information on cultural activities, local initiatives and discovery routes in the region.
Nearby: a strong spiritual presence
Beauraing is surrounded by numerous abbeys and religious communities easily accessible from the sanctuary:
- Maredsous Benedictine Abbey (36 km, 22 mi)
- Maredret Benedictine Abbey (33 km, 20 mi)
- Rochefort Cistercian Abbey (24 km, 15 mi)
- Orval Cistercian Abbey (75 km, 47 mi)
- Chevetogne Abbey of the Holy Cross (25 km, 16 mi)
- Leffe Abbey (20 km, 12 mi)
- Fraternité de Tibériade (15 km, 9 mi)
These places also offer spiritual activities, programs and retreat opportunities throughout the year.
Tourist attractions around Beauraing
The region is also rich in major tourist sites, accessible for a half-day or full-day excursion:
- Han Caves and wildlife park (24 km, 15 mi)
- Furfooz Nature Reserve (22 km, 14 mi)
- Medieval Vêves Castle (near Furfooz)
- Provincial Domain of Chevetogne (24 km, 15 mi)
- Lavaux-Sainte-Anne Castle (15 km, 9 mi)
- Millennium Tower in Gedinne (27 km, 17 mi)
- Bouillon Fortress (approx. 40 km, 25 mi)
- Medieval town of Durbuy (approx. 50 km, 31 mi), nicknamed the smallest town in the world
- City of Dinant (nearby), with its citadel, the Adolphe Saxe museum, kayak excursions, cruises on the Meuse River, Freÿr castle, etc.
- Molignée Valley (approx. 30 km, 19 mi): rail bikes, gardens of Annevoie, and walks in an enchanting landscape
Practical information
Discover more locations
