olv v/america 1

It was on the eve of the Feast of the North American Martyrs... 

September 25, 1956...

that Our Lady appeared to Sister Mary Ephrem (Mildred)...

(of the Sisters of the Precious Blood at Kneipp Springs, Ohio)

calling Herself Our Lady of America for the first time.  

Beginning in 1938, Sister had begun to have what seem like mystical spiritual experiences. 

She thought little of them, presuming all religious have them. As these visits took on the nature of a specific program of devotion to Mary, which Sister was asked to propagate, she then turned to Monsignor Paul F. Leibold, who would be her spiritual director for many years until 1972, always believing and supporting her.

On October 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 [built 1920-1961]:

'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 DC, be made a place of special pilgrimage, and that She be honored there under this image and the title: 'Our Lady of America, the Immaculate Virgin.'

[bron]