Pilgrimages in Belgium

[Eyskens]

Thank you very much.

-----Original Message-----
From: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage [mailto:GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU] On
Behalf Of davidson
Sent: Saturday, August 30, 2003 3:26 AM
To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
Subject: Re: Pilgrimages in Belgium


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