Kevelaer, Germany: Apparitions of Our Lady

 

The story of the apparitions in Kevelaer:

Around Christmas time in the year 1641, a man named Hendrik Busman was walking the 11-mile journey from Weeze to Geldern and stopped, as he often did, to pray at a cross along the road in Kevelaer. While praying he heard a voice say “build me a chapel on this site”.

Although obviously a religious man, he did not pay much attention, until the same thing happened two more times. Then, to further motivate him, his wife had a vision the next Easter in which she saw a chapel with a portrait of Our Lady of Luxembourg inside. As it happened she had been offered the chance to buy such an image previously but decided that it was too expensive.

This was finally the sign that convinced Hendrik that he should do as the voice commanded, and he sent his wife out to try to find the image and purchase it. After a great deal of effort she was able to do so and returned with the image.

About the Chapel:

In June 1642 the Chapel was finished and the image installed. As word spread the chapel became a place of pilgrimage throughout Germany. In September 8 of that year (Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary) a couple brought their son to the chapel. Their son had been paralyzed for 5 years, unable to walk or stand. Two days later he was able to walk and stand with no problems. After word spread of this and other cures, it became a popular place of pilgrimage.

Today, the chapel (called the Chapel of the Candles) still stands, as well as a magnificent Basilica to handle the crowds, since the small chapel does not accommodate many people. Almost one million pilgrims come here each year, primarily from the Netherlands and Germany, but from other countries as well.

Getting there:

The nearest airport is Dusseldorf and there are direct trains from Dusseldorf taking about one hour for the trip. There is train service from other cities such as Amsterdam as well but Dusseldorf is perhaps the easiest connection. Get air, train & bus schedules, see fares & buy tickets here.

Address: Kapellenplatz 35, 47623 Kevelaer

GPS coordinates: 51° 35′ 0.7692” N, 6° 14′ 35.6928” E

Tel: +49 (0) 28 32 122-151 and 122-152 Fax: +49 (0) 28 32 43 87

E-mail: info@wfg-kevelaer.de

Click here for the official website of the Kevelaer Pilgrimage church (English option shown on top right of page).

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