Mariahilfberg, Gutenstein, Austria (1661)

Summary

Holy Mary appeared to Sebastian Schmid Schlager, who was miraculously healed, to give him the initiative of the construction of a shrine in southern Gutenstein. The Most Holy Virgin had appeared to him six times and painted her image on a sheet and then put the portrait of the Madonna on a beech tree. The image of Mary, although painted rudimentarily, was similar to her apearance in the apparitions. Then pilgrimages began and a chapel was built of wood. The synod of Passau, as the agency of ecclesiastical authority, examined the case and informed Rome. Pope Clement IX authorized the cult of the veneration of the image. In addition, he also gave his consent for the construction of a church which was then entrusted to the care of servants, as a Marian religious order.

1661

According to an ancient tradition, in 1661 the Mother of God appeared 6 times on a hill near Gutenstein in Austria, Schimd Sebastian Schlager, and healed him from a serious illness to give him the initiative of the construction of a shrine in southern Gutenstein.

The Most Holy Virgin painted her image on a sheet and then put the portrait of the Madonna on a beech tree. The image of Mary, although painted rudimentarily, was similar to her apearance in the apparitions. Then pilgrimages began and a chapel was built of wood. The hill was called "Mountain of Our Lady of Help."

The synod of Passau, as the agency of ecclesiastical authority, examined the case and informed Rome.

Pope Clement IX authorized the cult of the veneration of the image. In addition, he also gave his consent for the construction of a church which was then entrusted to the care of servants, as a Marian religious order.