The Diocese of Green Bay officially opened Adele Brice’s cause for sainthood on Jan. 30, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, declaring her a Servant of God. Bishop David Ricken issued the decree to begin canonisation proceedings, marking the diocese’s first canonisation initiative, according to its digital handle, reported by On Mission Media.
Church inquiries, including consultations with the faithful and investigations into Brice’s life and reported answered prayers, guided the decision. These efforts, along with testimonials of healings and renewed faith, helped establish a strong devotion linked to the Champion apparition site. Fr. Stephens and Bishop Ricken shared recent miraculous healings at the shrine, including relief from migraine and an unexpected cure from cancer, inspiring Catholics and other visitors. Bishop Ricken emphasised that the step begins a lengthy procedure in the canonisation process. He explained that Church protocols demand careful study before approval. He also noted that Brice’s witness shows holiness is possible for ordinary believers.
According to On Mission Media, Adele Brice, born in Belgium in 1831, immigrated to Wisconsin and became known for her deep faith despite being blind in one eye. She reported Marian apparitions in Champion in 1859, which urged her to dedicate her life to teaching children and shaped her lifelong catechetical mission. Pilgrimage visits continue to rise, and Church leaders highlight that her legacy still inspires families and lay faithful across the country. During the 1871 Peshtigo Fire, prayers at the shrine reportedly saved the chapel and its refugees as flames destroyed surrounding lands. Brice continued teaching families until she died in 1896, leaving a legacy that still draws pilgrims and inspires devotion across the U.S.