Vision for the Apparition Site of Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help

Pope John Paul II once proclaimed, “How many people have gone to a shrine out of curiosity, as visitors, and have returned transformed!” Whether you are Catholic or still searching for faith, the National Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help is a place for all who seek guidance and healing through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Located in Champion, Wisconsin, the Shrine is where Sister Adele Brise experienced an apparition that profoundly impacted her as a young girl on her way to church. 

When the time came to choose a liturgical designer to expand this treasured pilgrimage site, the Most Reverend David Ricken, DD, JCL, Bishop of Green Bay, along with Shrine trustees and their team of architects, selected Rohn and Associates Design, Inc. Rolf Rohn’s name stood out after an exhaustive search due to his extraordinary body of work and reputation for translating visions into harmonious, liturgically correct realities. 

The goal of this significant expansion is to enhance the spiritual renewal of the multitude of pilgrims from around the world. The project begins at the Sister Adele Brise Welcome Center, continues to the Blessed Mother in the Apparition Grove, and culminates in the Apparition Chapel to celebrate the Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Adoration with her Son. Rolf is interpreting Bishop Ricken’s vision into a design that provides the faithful with a clear path to learn about the apparition, grasp the full gravity of what the young Belgian girl experienced, and understand how it changed her life. 

Rolf conducted meetings and gathered valuable input from the committee. Through prayerful walk-throughs of the Shrine, he sought divine insight. Now, Rolf and his team have begun developing recommendations and designs for the Shrine’s Master Plan, addressing both present and future needs. Their work encompasses universal Church requirements for shrines, including Catholic history and traditions, the Christian journey, art, iconography, and the symbolism that reflects the relationship between God and His people, as well as the specific details identifying the apparition through documentation, design, and artistic interpretation. 

They also focus on creating proper liturgical spaces that facilitate our faith journey, considering elements like gathering and preparation, assembly, participation, devotion, support spaces, Eucharistic adoration, reconciliation, audiovisuals, lighting, and lighting control. Additionally, they plan the furnishings and appointments, such as seating for celebrations and devotions, and the integration of lighting and sound. The iconography, sculptures, forms, and architectural materials will be carefully selected to tie local, Belgian, and universal themes with contemporary resources. Ultimately, they aim to deliver an awe-inspiring environment that amplifies the Blessed Mother’s message to Sister Adele.

The Rohn team will continue to provide and update these details and designs, as well as manage the development and installation of the space formation, art, architecture, and lighting plans as the project progresses. This will include developing collateral to help secure additional funding, space, and resources for the growing number of pilgrims who will turn to the Blessed Mother and Sister Adele for their own transformation.