"Kevelaer - Mater Fidelium" Kevelaer by Diana75

Kevelaer Travel Guide: 57 reviews and 144 photos

THE CITY OF OUR LADY

In the spirit of the place, I like to think that discovering the small city of Kevelaer was a divine sign.

21st of August, 2005 was the last day of the World Youth Days in Cologne and, shortly after the Sunday mass with the Holy Father in Marienfeld, we decided to seize this opportunity and visit also Netherlands and Belgium.
Shortly after passing the border between Germany and Netherlands we saw a traffic sign showing the way to Kevelaer.

K E V E L A E R…

Initially, none of us said anything.
We knew that Kevelaer is a place of pilgrimage visited by thousands of pilgrims every year, but we had no idea that it was on our way to Netherlands.

Although it was late in the afternoon, we decided to change our plan and stop for a while to see the beautiful Marian shrine of Our Lady of Kevelaer.

“Build me a chapel”

St. Mary's Basilica

In 1641, Hendrick Busman, a simple peddler, was on his way to Geldern. Arriving at the cross placed on this site he stopped for a prayer.
During his prayer, a mysterious voice coming from the cross gave him the following message: "Build me a chapel on this place".
Although he initially thought that it was only an imagination, he continued to hear the message on three different days.

With the permission of the Priest of Kevelaer, Busman started to build a small chapel that was finished in June 1642.

But, before finishing the chapel, the Holy Virgin appeared also to the wife of Hendrik Busman. During the night she saw a light near the chapel.
A short time before this event, she wanted to buy a portrait of "Our Lady of Luxemburg", made on a Copper plate, from two soldiers from Hessen (Germany).

After finishing the chapel, the copper plate was placed in the chapel and many curious people came to see it.
The story of the miraculous apparition of the Holy Virgin traveled fast and Kevelaer was turned into a place of Pilgrimage.

Pilgrim to Kevelaer

The chapel of Grace

People from all over the world come to Kevelaer every year for prayer, contemplation and the blessing of our Lady of Kevelaer.

The annual pilgrimage season begins on May 1st with the opening of the pilgrimage portals of the basilica and ends on November 1st.

It is said that more than 800,000 pilgrims come to Kevelaer every year for praying to the icon of the "Trosterin der Betrubten" or "Consoler of the Grieving".

Last visit to Kevelaer: Aug 2005
Intro Updated Nov 23, 2005
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Reviews (19)

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament - Kevelaer

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament Things to Do (12)

The Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament is located on the western side of the Fountain Courtyard. The Chapel was built in... more travel advice

"Beichtkapelle" - The Confessional Chapel - Kevelaer

"Beichtkapelle" - The Confessional... Things to Do (12)

The entrance to the Confessional Chapel can be found in the Fountain Courtyard, on the sacristy side of the Basilica.... more travel advice

Religious objects inside the Basilica - Kevelaer

St. Mary's Basilica - religious objects Things to Do (12)

In the Basilica can be found remarkable religious and artistic objects dating several centuries. In the altar rest the... more travel advice

St. Mary's Basilica - Fountain Courtyard Things to Do (12)

The Fountain Courtyard can be found on the sacristy side of the Basilica. more travel advice

Shopping (2)
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Travelogues (1)

Written Nov 23, 2005

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Flowers around St. Mary's Basilica

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Comments (7)

Holamerk68 Apr 18, 2007 at 3:00 AM Report Abuse

Hello you has great Side from Kevelaer Christian
matcrazy1 Feb 8, 2007 at 5:14 AM Report Abuse

Great descriptions of the beautiful basilica. I also like pictures of flowers in the travelogue.
Kuznetsov_Sergey Jan 31, 2007 at 8:26 AM Report Abuse

St. Mary's Basilica and our Lady of Kevelaer attract pilgrims knowingly... Never knew about it. Beautiful small chapels. Thanks Diana for sharing!
LoriPori Oct 10, 2006 at 1:05 PM Report Abuse

I especially liked the St. Mary's Basilica with thw wonderful stained glass windows. Lovely page Diana.
Fam.Rauca May 9, 2006 at 1:09 AM Report Abuse

Locuri minunate care raman cu siguranta in inima oricarui turist. Din fericire, au ocazia sa se bucure de ele, toti cei care iti viziteaza pagina. Gabriela
scottishvisitor Apr 26, 2006 at 12:23 PM Report Abuse

You provide great descriptions of the beautiful Basilica a most impressive place indeed
Nemorino Nov 21, 2005 at 11:27 PM Report Abuse

Fine opening photo.