Benôite (Benedicta) Rencurel

Benoîte Rencurel (1647–1718)

Benoîte Rencurel, also known in Latin sources as Benedicta Rencurel, was a shepherdess from Saint-Étienne d'Avançon, France, who is venerated for her reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary. These mystical experiences, which began in 1664 and continued until her death in 1718, are the foundation of the Sanctuary of Laus, a significant pilgrimage site in the Hautes-Alpes region.

Life and Historical Context

Born on September 16, 1647, Benoîte Rencurel came from a family of modest means. Her father's death when she was seven years old plunged the family into financial hardship. As there was no school in her village, she never learned to read or write and began working as a shepherdess at the age of twelve. In May 1664, she reported her first vision of the Virgin Mary, guided by an unusual scent of violets. Later, in 1673, she experienced a vision of Christ on the village cross. The Blessed Mother is said to have directed Benoîte to an abandoned chapel in Le Laus, inspiring the construction of a church and a house for priests to minister to pilgrims and hear confessions.

Benoîte became a Third Order Dominican and dedicated herself to serving those who visited the growing shrine. She took up residence near the chapel in 1672. Her life was not without challenges; in 1692, during an invasion by the Duke of Savoy's troops, she and the priests sought refuge in Marseille. Upon their return, they found the shrine devastated. She also faced opposition from Jansenist priests who attempted to force her to leave Laus and join a religious community, even banning her from daily Mass. Despite these difficulties, Benoîte is said to have possessed the gift of reading hearts, drawing many to seek her advice. She continued to receive spiritual visions, including those of Jesus in His passion, from 1669 to 1679. Benoîte Rencurel died on Christmas Day 1718 and is buried in front of the main altar of the Sanctuary of Laus.

Veneration and Legacy

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Laus has become a major spiritual center, attracting approximately 120,000 pilgrims annually. Numerous physical healings have been associated with the site, particularly through the use of oil from a lamp, as instructed by the Virgin Mary to Benoîte. Bishop Jean-Michel di Falco of the Diocese of Gap officially recognized the apparitions in 2005. The modern message attributed to Benoîte Rencurel emphasizes living in communion with God through prayer, conversion, and finding one's mission in daily life. The cause for her beatification began in 1871, and she was declared venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on April 3, 2009.