Our Lady of Laus

Between 1664 and 1718, Benoîte Rencurel, a young shepherdess in the Hautes-Alpes of southern France, reported numerous apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the valley of Laus near the village of Saint-Étienne-le-Laus. Unlike most Marian apparitions, which involve a brief series of appearances, the visions at Laus continued for more than fifty years and were accompanied by reports of the fragrance of roses and other phenomena. Mary identified herself as Our Lady of Pity and asked that an oratory be built at the site, which later became a chapel and eventually a basilica. Laus became known as a place of conversion and healing, particularly among penitents brought by their confessors. The apparitions were investigated and approved by the Diocese of Gap in 2008 under Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco Léandri, with Vatican recognition confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI — making Laus the first newly recognized Marian apparition site of the 21st century.