Location: Gietrzwald, Poland
Date: June-September, 1877

Summary:
Justyna Szafrynska, age 13, was walking home from Catechism class prior to receiving her First Holy Communion when Our Blessed Mother appeared to her.  The next day, Barbara Samulowska, age 12, also saw Mary.  Our Blessed Mother appeared as a “bright lady” sitting on a throne with the Infant Christ among angels over the maple tree in front of the church.  The girls asked, “Who are you?” and she responded, “I am the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Immaculate Conception.”  They then asked her, “What do you require, Mother of God?”  She answered, “I wish you to recite the rosary everyday.”  On subsequent days the children asked additional questions, ranging from if a local parish would receive more priests to what would happen if someone swore falsely.  On September 8, Mary blessed a spring and said, “Now, the sick people can take this water for their healing.”  A few days later  she appeared again, blessing her own image in the small chapel and blessing those who asked for it.  At the end of this apparition she said, “Pray the rosary zealously!”

Interesting Facts:
- A strong resurgence of moral living returned to the area after Our Lady’s apparition.
-Many families began praying the Rosary daily.
-There was a growth in local vocations following this apparition