Pilgrimages in Belgium

[davidson]

Beauraing:
in southeast Belgium, a tiny town near Namur, about 80 kms se of Brussels.
Apparition deemed to be that of the Virgin Mary in 1932. The vision appeared
to 5 school children over several years, until 1939.
So, that might be a little late for your grandmother.

Banneux:
another Marian apparition site, 16 kms southeast of Liege. The apparition was
seen by a young girl, Mariette Beco on 15 January 1933  -- very shortly after
the apparitions in Beauraing. Reminiscent of Lourdes: the girl was led to a
site where , when she touched the ground, a spring gushed forth. Chapel was
built; a miraculous cure in 1933. It wasn't until 1949 that the apparition was
deemed real by the bishop of Liege.  This may be a little late for your
grandmother as well, but its similarity to Lourdes ??
Banneux is popular, very popular still. In the 24 hours we were there, about
20 buses from all over Europe came and disgorged many, many pilgrims.

Bruges: Saint (or, Holy) Blood Basilica :
Dates from 1150. Chapel believes it holds a vial containing some lamb's wool
which was used to blot blood flowing from Jesus. It is taken out several times
a day still and pilgrims may ascend a short dais and kiss the vial.
An extremely popular medieval site, continues quite popular in the 20th and
21st centuries, even though the blood's authenticity has often been
questioned.

Hope these ideas help.
linda davidson
dgitlitzaaol.com