Our Lady of the Golden Heart

Did you know that there are at least 38 recorded Marian Apparitions? Of those, only 26 have received the full approval of the Church. The first recorded apparition was in the year 40, Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza, Spain. A Marian Apparition is an appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary, come down from heaven, usually to communicate some sort of message or to make a request of the faithful.

Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Beauraing, also know as Our Lady of the Golden Heart. She first appeared to school children in Beauraing, Belgium in 1932. In total, there were 33 apparitions of Our Lady of Beauraing.

Some say the visitation to the children in Beauraing was a continuation of Mary’s visits to Fatima, listing several reasons. Fatima occurred during the first world war. Mary’s message then was to pray the rosary often to bring about peace. She also emphasized a devotion of the faithful to her Immaculate Heart.

Mary’s visits to the children in Beauraing began in the fall of 1932, when hints of war were just beginning to appear on the horizon. She encouraged the children to be good, be faithful and to pray often. During one visit, she opened her arms to display a heart of gold. As a result of her appearances in Belgium, Beauraing became a sanctuary of prayer for the many who flocked there during the war that rages across the globe.

Conversion is at the heart of every apparition of Mary. She seeks to bring the world closer to her Son through devotion and prayer. Prayer for compassion, for mercy toward one another and most of all for peace. My peace I give you, my peace I leave you. Those were the words spoken to the 12 on that last night together. The rest is up to us.

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Baklava French Toast
Honey Syrup
Peel from 1 Lemon
Peel from 1 Orange
1/2 cup Honey
1/4 cup Water
Pinch Cinnamon

Cut lemon into quarters, remove peel from the fruit. Reserve lemon for another purpose. Cut peel into strips, set aside. Cut orange into quarters, remove peel from fruit. Reserve orange for another purpose. Cut peel into strips, set aside.

Simmer the honey, water, citrus peels and a pinch of cinnamon in a small saucepan until it thickens to a syrup consistency. Remove from heat, set aside.

Just before serving, remove peels from the syrup.

Garnish
1 Lemon, zested
1 Orange, zested
1/2 cup Walnuts, chopped
Cinnamon to taste

In a small bowl, zest the lemon and orange. Chop nuts, add to the zest. Sprinkle with cinnamon, stir to blend and set aside.

French Toast
6 slices Bread
1-1/3 cups Walnuts
1-1/2 teaspoons Cinnamon
4 teaspoons Honey
2 tablespoons Brown Sugar
4 Eggs
3/4 cup Milk
1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon Orange Juice
1-1/2 teaspoons Vanilla
Salt to taste
Butter as needed

Lay bread out on a cutting board to “dry” slightly.

Chop nuts, place in a small mixing bowl. Add cinnamon, honey and brown sugar. Stir to blend, set aside.

Mix the eggs, milk, lemon juice, orange juice, vanilla extract and salt in a shallow dish.

Melt a little butter on a griddle over medium heat.

Dip bread slices into the custard mixture. Place on the warmed griddle, fry for a few minutes, just until golden brown and lightly toasted. Flip bread over.

Divide nut mixture between half of the bread slices, spread out gently. Continue to fry the French Toast until golden. Flip the empty slices over the covered slices to make French Toast Sandwiches. Plate on individual warm plates.

Garnish with the zest-nut mixture. Drizzle with syrup, serve and enjoy. If desired, garnish the plates with the citrus peels.

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Give glory and eternal praise to Him