The apparitions of Mary in the German town of Heroldsbach occurred between 9 October 1949 and 31 October 1952. A total of 8 people saw Mary, often along with the infant Jesus. These were 7 girls aged 10 and 11, and one young woman of 19. The visionaries are: Maria Heilmann, Antonie Saam, Gretel Gügel, Kuni Schleicher, Erika Müller, Irma Mehl, Rosa Bradl, and the slightly older Hildegarde Lang.
The visionaries have very intimate contact with Mary. They are permitted by Our Lady to touch Her, such as Her hands, clothing and crown. They are also allowed to hold the infant Jesus. Mary says they may do this so that their hands commit no impurity. This shows that Heroldsbach is a message for a pure and chaste life. To express this, the Mother of God and Jesus request that the visionaries wear white clothing on feast days.
The first apparition is on 9 October 1949. The girls see three letters JSH and these symbolise the Trinity. The meaning of the letters is “J”, Jahweh in Hebrew and means God, “S”, Spiritus Sanctus is Latin for Holy Spirit and “H”, Hyos is Greek for Son. A little later they see a white figure above the forest. It is the Mother of God. The next day the visionaries meet Her again. On the third day, Mary has the baby Jesus in her arms. When the children tell this to Pastor Gailor (1885-1959), he considers it a sign of an apparition. Much later, the pastor says that he is bound by the seal of confession and if this were not the case, then Heroldsbach would have been recognised by the church long ago.
On 25 October 1949, Maria asked the children to have a Mother of God Chapel built.
On 31 October 1949, Our Lady promised the visionaries that she would return the following year, in October 1950. However, she returned earlier to Heroldsbach, as Our Lady reappeared on 2 February 1950. She told the children that if people did not fulfil her wish, much blood would flow. Antonie Saam asked what Mary meant by this. Mary's answer was that the Russians would come and defeat them. She also said that the coming of the Russians could be prevented by prayer. Mary added that this should be told to others.
On 5 February 1950, the Mother of God states that She answers every prayer of those who believe in Her.
A special event takes place on 6 February 1950. Our Lady takes the rosary from one of the children and places it in their hands. Then She raises her hands in prayer. Those present see the rosary floating. This is seen as an encouragement to pray the rosary.
The apparition of 8th February 1950 is profound for the children. Our Lady lets them experience the terrible vision of hell. The children see a great sea of flames above the forest, in which devils are jumping. People with animal faces are also visible in the flames. The children beg Our Lady to remove the image of hell. Mary then opens her hands and the fire disappears. She says that the children must never be tempted by the evil enemy. Mary announced this vision several times.
The next day, 9 February 1950, Our Lady shows the children a glimpse of heaven. The children see and hear the Litany of Loretto being recited. They also see a throne. Our Lady takes her seat on it and holds a sceptre. Beside Her, the Holy Trinity is visible. Maria had also announced this vision several times.
On 24 February 1950, the bishop issued a prohibition, forbidding priests from conducting religious services at the site of the apparitions. However, from 25 February 1950, a series of eucharistic visions began. The visionaries daily received mystical communion from the hand of an angel.
During the 1950 Lent period, in the months of February and March, the visionaries performed many acts of penance, such as digging for weeks with their hands and spoons. They also travelled the long road from the village to the Mountain on their knees, where Mary appears several times. Their knees become wounded, but are completely healed the next day. On March 9th, 1950, after the children had dug an increasingly deep hole with their hands, Mary appears. She says that the children are creating something that will make even unbelievers believe. On April 14th, 1950, Our Lady says that the hole will become a source of grace and that many more graces will be granted.
On both the 15th and 16th of May 1950, a Russian vision takes place. The children see a war scene above the forest, with many soldiers dying bleeding. The battle approaches a village. The children see their village, Heroldsbach. Our Lady appears and stops the battle. Mary says that this will happen one day, unless much is prayed. On the 16th of May 1950, the children see their village in flames. With this, Our Lady shows what She warned about in Fatima in 1917.
On 17 May 1950, the children hear the little Jesus say that if they do not pray fervently, the Russians will come and defeat them. With this, Jesus confirms what His Mother said, namely that much misfortune can be prevented through prayer.
The Holy Virgin states, among other things, on 27 May 1950, that those who arrived in Heroldsbach feeling restless will find peace within themselves and within Her.
During the apparition on 10 June 1950, the Mother of God says that she rejoices when she is venerated as the Queen of Peace.
On 4 July 1951, the bishop prohibited people from going to the Mountain, where apparitions were taking place. This prohibition applied to everyone, including clergy and seers. Shortly after this ban was issued, Father Gailor, who believed in the apparitions, was transferred.
On 2 October 1951, there was the vision of the suffering Saviour. Jesus' body was entirely covered with wounds. The crown of thorns was pressed onto his head and a thorn pierced his right eye. A ray of light emanated from the bleeding side-wound. Two angels caught the flowing blood from the wounds on Jesus' hands and feet. This blood flowed into purgatory and illuminated those present there. The Holy Spirit hovered as a ray of light and took the form of a dove. Three times, as it flew, it made the sign of the cross.
On 17 April 1952, Kuni Schleicher saw 5 angels above the forest, each holding a sword and a torch. The angels told her that this signified a severe spiritual battle. Maria Heilmann saw an angel with beautiful roses. The angel said that just as the roses bloom, so prayer should flourish among people.
The last apparition was on 31 October 1952. Our Lady emphatically tells the children that they must make sacrifices, do penance for the conversion of sinners. She also says that the children must call to her when they are in danger or about to commit a sin. Mary specifically asks them to venerate Saint Maria Goretti. If temptation to sin threatens, they may pray to Saint Aloysius. Our Lady also says that they must pray a lot for priests. Furthermore, they must not waver when times become difficult. The children are told that they must always remain sincere, humble and obedient.
Shortly before her farewell on 31 October 1952, Mary says: “I am always here, even when you can no longer see Me. Here in Heroldsbach I am the Queen of all places of grace. Pray to Me for the very special blessing that I only give from here, wherever you may be.”
Maria has taught the children a prayer, with the words:
“Dear little Jesus
I love you so much.
Him I will praise and laud
Forevermore.
I thank you, little Jesus.
I'll lock you in my heart.
”Oh my dear little Jesus."
Often the children have many visions; for example, 8 times in 12 hours and even from evening until early morning.
Many saints appear to children, such as the shepherd children Jacinta and Francisco from Fatima, Anthony of Padua, Thérèse of Lisieux, Maria Crescentia Höss of Kaufbeuren and Maria Goretti.
On 30 August 1959, Pastor Gailer died. The funeral was very much like a triumphal procession. He is buried in the local cemetery.
Despite much research and the large amount of information obtained regarding the apparitions, they have not been recognised by the Vatican in Rome. One reason is that “Rome” does not want to jeopardise its approach to Protestants.
The place of prayer in Heroldsbach is rich in many places where Mary's warmth can be felt.
Every pilgrim who visits Heroldsbach goes to the Chapel of Grace, where there is also a large statue of Mary. In this chapel, many thank-you offerings from believers are attached to the walls.
On the site of Mary's first apparition, the chapel was later built. A lot of praying is done here. After each apparition, a prayer of thanks has always been offered here.
In the prayer hall stands a large statue of the Blessed Virgin and there are always people praying. The Marian shrine of Heroldsbach has perpetual adoration. This honour-restoring day and night prayer is uninterrupted.
The spring attracts many visitors, who draw water there for themselves and others. This spring is located near the Prayer Hall. A little further on from this hall is the Fountain of Grace, with angels at the top of the stairs.
A little way outside the prayer building, at the end of a path, stand the five birch trees. There have been apparitions here before.
In Heroldsbach, people often kneel. This is partly because the visionaries kneel when the Apparition blesses them.
A beautiful image at the Holy Grotto is that of the Rose Queen. As the Immaculate Conception, she is entirely clad in white. This is how Mary also appeared at the beginning of the apparitions in Heroldsbach.
Heroldsbach is located in the German state of Bavaria. The place of apparition lies between Bamberg and Nuremberg, close to the A73 motorway. Another route goes from Würzburg and then continues on the motorway towards the east. After the “Erlangen” exit, drive towards Forchheim and then to Heroldsbach.
Address: Prayer Site Heroldsbach, Am Herrengarten 9, D-91336 Heroldsbach.
More information can be found at www.heroldsbach-pilgerverein.de.
A visit to the German Heroldsbach has long been on my list. Today is the day. On the motorway from Würzburg to Nuremberg, I have to get off in good time, as the apparition site lies between Höchstadt and Forchheim, near Erlangen.
I'm following the signs for Heroldsbach and come to an uphill road. After a few hundred metres, turn right to reach the “Gebetstätte Heroldsbach”. I'm curious about the Rose Queen of Heroldsbach.
In the place of worship, I explore and see the indicated spots where Mary appeared from 9 October 1949 to 31 October 1952. Seven girls and a slightly older teenager are the chosen ones. I come to the Chapel of Grace. Prayer is always offered here, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This does not even happen in the Sanctuary of Lourdes.
In the Mariakerk, I am particularly struck by the many stained-glass windows. Among other things, I see a large depiction of Joseph with his son Jesus and a beautiful statue of Mary.
In the Mary Chapel I am attending a “Messe”. The chapel is full of believers. There is not one free spot. Many are standing, like me.
’Around half past six in the evening, I visit St. Michael's Church on Pfr. Dr. Marquardt-Platz in Heroldsbach. I arrive just in time, as the Saturday evening mass is beginning. What a beautiful church this is! There is so much to see here! To the right of the altar, I see a triptych with Mary depicted centrally.
At eight-thirty, I’m behind the Chapel of Grace, because the candle procession is starting. Around 200 participants are standing ready with a candle in their hand. Someone else is asked to carry the cross. Nobody responds. Then I am asked to carry the cross. I agree. During the procession, I ask why I was chosen. The answer is: “You, with your long hair, could certainly use some grace.” A man with a Limburg accent tells me this. He and I are Dutch; he from Limburg with the statue of Mary, and I from Brabant with the cross. These two Dutchmen lead the procession in Heroldsbach, Germany. The man from Limburg says to the German procession participants: “Jetzt folgen Sie zwei Holländer!” The man from Limburg tells me that he has sung all over the world, but not for the past few years. He says he has throat cancer. He also tells me that his wife recently passed away and that he has now been in Heroldsbach for two months, doing useful volunteer work. He asks me why I am here. I tell him that I want to experience Marian devotion. He does too, is the reply. I tell the man from Limburg that I am also writing about it. With “You receive a lot of grace here!” he bids me farewell late in the evening.
The next day I attend a Eucharist service in German again and sing along to the hymns. After mass, there is a slide show about the apparitions. I don't want to miss that. A little later I see the events in slide form and the consequences of the apparitions in Heroldsbach. In the evening, the film about the apparitions in Heroldsbach is shown in the Pilgrim House. I see historical footage, interviews with visionaries and witnesses. The dismissive attitude of “Rome” is also highlighted, with the bans on visiting Heroldsbach. This is followed by the excommunication of the visionaries.
The “Prayer Site of Heroldsbach” was only officially recognised as such by the Catholic Church in 1998, by the Diocese of Bamberg. I find this a remarkably long time, given that the Marian apparitions began about 50 years earlier... For all those years, the Holy Mountain and the prayer site at Heroldsbach were developed through private initiative and many volunteers to make it inviting for visitors. The transfer of the private property of the Holy Mountain to the Catholic Church undoubtedly influenced the church's changing attitude. Money plays a role here too...
Since February 2009, there has been perpetual adoration at the place of prayer in Heroldsbach. This means it is possible to pray day and night in the Chapel of Grace. During my three-day stay, I am taking advantage of this to pray for several hours continuously. Heroldsbach feels like more than just a place of prayer to me. I intensely experience the Marian feeling and the atmosphere of the apparitions here.
On the third day of my stay in Heroldsbach, I attended several masses. I looked more closely at the images of Mary and the other saints. I was noticeably thinking of some good friends. Afterwards, I lit a big candle for some who could really do with support. I had good friends on my mind. A prayer might offer them some relief. Then, I received the necessary inspiration on how to shape things. A little later, I tried to put myself in the position of the girls who had experienced the apparitions. They experienced a lot of pressure, not only from the curious but also from the Church. There was also pressure from the media. The girls impressed me with their perseverance and their convinced stance.
I see Mary in Heroldsbach in various guises. In pure white, she is most beautiful and inspiring for me to behold. She is more stately with a blue mantle and golden crown. Mary is always depicted with roses, as she is the Queen of the Rosary here.
As in Fatima, there was also a sun miracle in Heroldsbach. On a day of apparition, the weather was gloomy and thick clouds obscured the sky. Suddenly, the cloud cover broke open and the sun appeared. A little later, the sun began to spin, at an ever-increasing speed. Was the sun going to explode? Thousands witnessed the sun change colour three times. It seemed as though a ball of light was descending upon the Holy Mountain. Subsequently, golden yellow balls rose vertically into the sky, causing the mountain to radiate with light, as if it had become a giant sun. There are further similarities with Fatima, as Mary also spoke in Heroldsbach of the rising Russian danger of communists.
What strikes me in Heroldsbach are the many wooden crosses. These stand ready to be carried by believers, allowing people to confess their sins. The 15 stations of the cross are visited with the cross on one's shoulder.
I have been to Heroldsbach a few times and during one of my visits, I created the text below on 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary.
“I'm also travelling this year for the Assumption of Mary
Go to Heroldsbach, in visiting the Mother of God,
I would so love to go on a pilgrimage to Maria again.
with a heart full of pride for her.
She is a special woman to me.,
keeps attracting attention,
a woman whom I also love,
She keeps generating energy within me.
For the church, She is a welcome gift,
the most popular saint has such fame,
want Helen felt her spoiled,
Come to Her, sing Her name.
With roses, crown and rosary,
She receives countless devotees in prayer,
Feel a chance again through Her
now that I'm taking better care of my life.”
Posted: 10 October 2020
Last modified: 3 February 2024
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