Our Lady of America
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Summary
Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil), of the Precious Blood Sisters and later a Contemplative of the Indwelling Trinity reportedly receivaed apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary as "Our Lady of America" as well as of Our Lord, St. Joseph, St. Gabriel, St. Michael. She said she was asked by The Blessed Virgin Mary to draw a picture according to the vision of Our Lady of America and have a statue constructed accordingly and placed after a solemn procession into the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C.. as Our Lady of America. |
Timeline
1916 |
Mildred Neuzil is born. |
1933 |
Mildred joins the Congregation of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus (generalate in Dayton, Ohio) as Sister Mary Ephrem. She later became part of a contemplative branch of the same congregation. The contemplative branch was located at Our Lady of the Nativity Convent at New Riegel, Ohio. |
Sept 25, 1956 |
On the eve of the feast of the North American martyrs, Our Lady first allegedly appears to Sr. Mary Ephrem. |
Oct 13, 1956 |
Our Lady again appeared as Our Lady of America, but instead of a lily in her hand, she held, with both hands, a small replica of the finished Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. "This is my shrine, my daughter. I am very pleased with it. Tell my children I thank them. Let them finish it quickly and make it a place of pilgrimage. It will be a place of wonders. I promise this. I will bless all those who, either by prayers, labor, or material aid, help to erect this shrine." According to Sister Mary Ephrem, Our Lady often emphasized her desire that the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., be made a place of special pilgrimage and that she be honored there under this image and this title "Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin." |
Aug 1957 |
The Blessed Virgin reportedly said; "What am I to do, child of my heart, when my children turn from me? The false peace of this worlad lures them and in the end will destroy them. They think they have done enough in consecrating themselves to my Immaculate Heart. It is not enough. That which I ask for and is most important many have not given me. What I ask, have asked, and will continue to ask is reformation of life. There must be sanctification from within. I will work my miracles of grace only in those who ask for them and empty their souls of the love and attachment to sin and all that is displeasing to my Son. Souls who cling to sin cannot have their hands free to receive the treasures of grace that I hold out to them." |
Dec 20, 1959 |
Our Lady appears for the last time. |
1960 |
The contents of the private revelation received by Sister Mary Ephrem were published in a booklet with the Imprimatur of Archbishop of Cincinnati, Paul F. Leibold. In addition to the correspondence by which Monsignor Leibold declared the approval of the devotion, he also carried out the first of Our Lady of America's requests, made through Sister Mary Ephrem, namely, he had a medal struck with the image of Our Lady of America on one side and the coat of arms of the Christian family on the other. He personally paid for striking of the first medals ordered. |
1971 |
The contents of the private revelation received by Sister Mary Ephrem were re-published, again with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Leibold. |
June 1, 1972 |
Death of Monsignor Paul F. Leibold, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and spiritual Director Sr. May Ephrem. Before dying Monsignor Leibold had two large plaques depicting Our Lady of America made, hanging one in the Cincinnati Catholic Chancery. |
1979 |
After the suppression of the contemplative branch of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus in 1979, Sr. Mary Ephrem joined the Contemplatives of the Indwelling Trinity. The Sisters who were members took up residence in Seneca County, Ohio. From the time of the suppression, Sister Mary Ephrem used her baptismal name, Sister Mary Mildred Neuzil. |
1989 |
A final edition of the booklet containing the contents of the private revelation received by Sr. Mary Ephrem was published with new contents added at the direction of Fr. Edmund Morman SVD, the last chaplain of Our Lady fo the Nativity convent at New Reigel. |
Jan 10, 2000 |
Sister Mary Ephrem passed away. |
May 31, 2007 |
The Most Reverend Raymond L. Burke, Archbishop of Saint Louis, issued a positive letter opinion on Our Lady of America. In his letter dated May 31, 2007, he reviews the history of Our Lady of America and the actions of Archbishop Leibold approving this devotion. |
June 29, 2019 |
Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend issued a Decree with the conclusion that “the visions and revelations themselves cannot be said to be of supernatural origin in the sense of objective occurrences (non constat de supernaturalitate); thus further, I cannot approve or support public devotion or cult.” |
May 7, 2020 |
Most Reverend Kevin C. Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend issued a a Statement Regarding the Devotion to Our Lady of America with the conclusion that “the visions and revelations themselves cannot be said to be of supernatural origin in the sense of objective occurrences (non constat de supernaturalitate); thus further, I cannot approve or support public devotion or cult.” |
Photo Gallery
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Our Lady of America - Fostoria, Ohio USA (1956)
Our Lady of America - Fostoria, Ohio USA (1956)
Our Lady of America - Sketch by Sr. Mary Ephrem
Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil) 1917-2000
Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred Neuzil) 1917-2000
Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, Monsignor Paul F. Leibold formally approved the design for the "Our Lady of America Medal" and personally paid for striking of the first medals ordered. |
Description of the Virgin
The Virgin Mary reportedly appeared with a white veil reaching almost to Her waist and a mantle and robe of pure white with no decoration. An oblong brooch or clasp held the ends of the mantle together at the top. It was all gold, as was the high and brilliant crown she wore. Her hair and eyes seemed medium brown, recalled Sister Mary Ephrem. Her feet were bare, but not always visible, sometimes covered by the moving clouds on which she stood. Often she smiled and revealed a heart encircled by roses that sent forth flames of fire.
Sr. Mildred Mary Neuzil said she was asked by The Blessed Virgin Mary to draw a picture according to the vision of Our Lady of America and have a statue constructed accordingly and placed after a solemn procession into the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, in Washington, D.C.. as Our Lady of America.
Messages
Our Lady promised that greater miracles than those granted at Lourdes and Fatima would be granted here in America, the United States in particular, if we do as She desires. Sister Mary Ephrem stated that Our Lady called herself Our Lady of America in response to the love and desire that reached out for this special title in the hearts of her children in America. For example, Our Lady repeatedly spoke approvingly about the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C. This title is a sign of Our Lady's pleasure in the devotion of her children of America towards her, and this visit is a response to the longing, conscious or unconscious, in the hearts of her children in America.
Click here to read
the messages of Fostoria.
Judgment of the Church
No formal approval has been given to the authenticity of the apparition of Our Lady of America. Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, Monsignor Paul F. Leibold formally approved the distribution of the alleged messages and the design for the "Our Lady of America Medal". He personally paid for striking of the first medals ordered.
In addition, before dying Monsignor Leibold had two large plaques depicting Our Lady of America made, hanging one in the Cincinnati Catholic Chancery. The Monsignor also approved the printing of the private revelation messages of Sister Mary Ephrem. He served as Sister Mary Ephrem's spiritual director for many years.
The contents of the private revelation received by Sister Mary Ephrem were published in a booklet, first in 1960, and then again in 1971. Both of these editions were published with the Imprimatur of Archbishop Leibold.
A specific request of Our Lady of America was that her statue be placed in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. A statue of Our Lady of America was carried in procession in the Basilica on several occasions by the Apostolatus Uniti and other groups. On May 31st, 2006, a statue of Our Lady fo America was enthroned at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of the Angels Monastery in Hanceville, Alabama.
May 7, 2020, Bishop Rhoades of the Diocese of Fort Wayne – South Bend issued a Decree and a Statement Regarding the Devotion to Our Lady of America with the conclusion that “the visions and revelations themselves cannot be said to be of supernatural origin in the sense of objective occurrences (non constat de supernaturalitate); thus further, I cannot approve or support public devotion or cult.”
Description of the Medal
Monsignor Leibold carried out the first of Our Lady of America's requests, made through Sister Ephrem, namely, he had a medal struck with the image of Our Lady of America on one side and the coat of arms on the other.
The coat of arms symbolically represents the substance of the private revelation received by Sister Mary Ephrem, namely the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity in the Christian home, which is the source of life and unity in the family. The coat of arms points to the purity and selflessness of love in teh family, becuase of the Indwelling of the Holy Trinity, the model of which is the Mother of God, under her title of the Immaculate Conception, patrones of our nation.
Prayers
PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF AMERICA
PATRONESS OF OUR LAND
O Immaculate Mother, Queen of our Country, open our hearts,
our homes, and our Land to the coming of Jesus, your Divine Son.
With Him, reign over us, O heavenly Lady, so pure and so bright
with the radiance of God's light shining in and about you. Be our
Leader against the powers of evil set upon wresting the world of
souls, redeemed at such a great cost by the sufferings of your Son
and of yourself, in union with Him, from that same Savior, Who
loves us with infinite charity.
We gather about you, O chaste and holy Mother, Virgin Immaculate,
Patroness of our beloved Land, determined to fight under
your banner of holy purity against the wickedness that would make
all the world an abyss of evil, without God and without your loving
maternal care.
We consecrate our hearts, our homes, our Land to your Most
Pure Heart, O great Queen, that the kingdom of your Son, our
Redeemer and our God, may be firmly established in us.
We ask no special sign of you, sweet Mother, for we believe in
your great love for us, and we place in you our entire confidence.
We promise to honor you by faith, love, and the purity of our lives
according to your desire.
Reign over us, then, O Virgin Immaculate, with your Son Jesus
Christ. May His Divine Heart and your most chaste Heart be ever
enthroned and glorified among us. Use us, your children of America,
as your instruments in bringing peace among men and nations.
Work your miracles of grace in us, so that we may be a glory to the
Blessed Trinity, Who created, redeemed, and sanctifies us.
May your valiant Spouse, St. Joseph, with the holy Angels and
Saints, assist you and us in "renewing the face of the earth." Then
when our work is over, come, Holy Immaculate Mother, and as our
Victorious Queen, lead us to the eternal kingdom, where your Son
reigns forever as King. Amen (200 days)
Written at the behest of Our Lady, October 5, 1956.
Nihil Obstat:-Daniel Pilarczyk, S.T.D.
Imprimatur:-†Paul F. Leibold, V.G.
Cincinnati, January 25, 1963
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