PilgrimstaysThe Marian Basilica of Kevelaer in the Lower Rhine region of Germany is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in northwest Europe, drawing approximately one million pilgrims per year from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and across the Catholic world. The devotion began in 1641 when a tradesman named Hendrik Busman received a vision instructing him to build a chapel at a particular crossroads on the road to Nijmegen. A small image of the Virgin on a copper engraving was enshrined there, and within years the chapel was attracting thousands of pilgrims. The image — Our Lady of Luxembourg — is based on a Marian image from Luxembourg that was popularised as a copper engraving in the 17th century. The original small chapel (the Gnadenkapelle — Chapel of Grace) is still preserved, now surrounded by a vast pilgrimage infrastructure: two large basilicas (the Candle Chapel and the main Basilica), extensive confessional areas, and a pilgrimage museum. The pilgrimage season at Kevelaer runs from May to October, with hundreds of organized pilgrimage groups from parishes across Germany and the Netherlands making the journey on foot or by bus. The tradition of candlelit evening processions in the Kapellplatz is one of the most atmospheric pilgrimage experiences in northwestern Europe.
The largest Marian pilgrimage site in northwest Europe — approximately 1 million pilgrims per year The devotion began in 1641 following a vision received by a tradesman Organized pilgrimage groups from hundreds of German and Dutch parishes walk to Kevelaer each year The candlelit evening processions in the Kapellplatz are a living medieval pilgrimage tradition
The image venerated — Our Lady of Luxembourg — was distributed as a copper engraving in the 17th century
Adjacent to the Gnadenkapelle The large 17th-century chapel where pilgrims have burned their candles for over 380 years. The air is thick with wax and smoke; thousands of candles burn simultaneously. The sight and smell of this chapel communicate a sensory history of prayer.
The central square [OUTDOOR] On summer evenings, pilgrims process around the Kapellplatz with lit candles, singing Marian hymns. The sight of hundreds of candles moving in the dark Lower Rhine evening, the voices of German and Dutch pilgrims, and the illuminated chapel facade is one of the great atmospheric experiences in German Catholicism.
Alongside the Gnadenkapelle The larger 19th-century basilica accommodates major pilgrimage Masses. Its neo-Gothic interior is notable for the large stained glass windows donated by individual pilgrimage groups.
the extraordinary culture of organised group pilgrimages, parish processions, and ex-votos that constitute Kevelaer's living heritage.
A tradesman on the road to Nijmegen in 1641 received a vision: build a chapel here. He did. Within a generation, the chapel was attracting thousands of pilgrims. Within a century, it was the most visited Marian shrine in northwest Europe. The copper engraving of the Virgin he enshrined was a cheap popular print. The shrine it generated is one of the most visited in northern Europe. God chooses the accessible image and makes it holy.
“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are.”
Read in full on Bible Gateway →The Marian Basilica of Kevelaer in the Lower Rhine region of Germany is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in northwest Europe, drawing approximately one million pilgrims per year from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and across the Catholic world. The devotion began in 1641 when a tradesman named Hendrik Busman received a vision instructing him to build a chapel at a particular crossroads on the road to Nijmegen. A small image of the Virgin on a copper engraving was enshrined there, and within years the chapel was attracting thousands of pilgrims.
The image — Our Lady of Luxembourg — is based on a Marian image from Luxembourg that was popularised as a copper engraving in the 17th century. The original small chapel (the Gnadenkapelle — Chapel of Grace) is still preserved, now surrounded by a vast pilgrimage infrastructure: two large basilicas (the Candle Chapel and the main Basilica), extensive confessional areas, and a pilgrimage museum.
The pilgrimage season at Kevelaer runs from May to October, with hundreds of organised pilgrimage groups from parishes across Germany and the Netherlands making the journey on foot or by bus. The tradition of candlelit evening processions in the Kapellplatz is one of the most atmospheric pilgrimage experiences in northwestern Europe.
