The Oktav: pilgrimage in honour of Luxembourg's patron saint - the Virgin Mary

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The Oktav, which is celebrated in honour of the Virgin Mary, is one of the main religious events of the year. Over the period of a fortnight in April and May, parishes from all over the country, as well as from the Eifel region in Germany, the Belgian Province of Luxembourg and France's Lorraine region, embark on a pilgrimage to Luxembourg's capital. They visit the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg and then eat at the Mäertchen, which literally translates as the "little market".

A fortnight of pilgrimage

On the third Sunday after Easter, thousands of devoted Catholics make their way to Luxembourg City. For a fortnight, Notre-Dame Cathedral becomes the centre of the pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, who is venerated as the patron saint of Luxembourg.

Most of Luxembourg's parishes organise pilgrimages. Pilgrims arrive at the outskirts of the city, in large numbers, and then form processions to make their way to the cathedral while praying. Several masses are held in the cathedral every day during the pilgrimage. The programme includes masses for families, linguistic communities, schools and the blessing of children by the cardinal. Each year, the Oktav has a different theme, which influences the sermons.

To mark the occasion, the cathedral is splendidly decorated, and the statue of the Virgin Mary and baby Jesus is dressed accordingly.

And let's not forget the market Oktavsmäertchen which occupies the Knuedler (Place Guillaume II). This little market is closely tied to the religious tradition. After visiting the Cathedral, pilgrims can head to the market to enjoy a drink or some food, and to buy a souvenir among the various ornaments and articles on offer.

The end of the Oktav is marked by a final solemn procession, during which the statue of the Virgin Mary is carried through the streets of the capital. Believers in the processions are joined by representatives of the Grand Ducal family, the Government, the Chamber of Deputies, the courts of justice, and other public institutions.

Impressions de l'Oktav

  1. The closing procession of the Oktav sees the Virgin Mary statue from the cathedral carried around the city centre in a solemn procession.

    © intranet.cathol.lu / Roger Nilles - CC BY-NC-ND

  2. The whole cathedral is festively decorated for the Octave - this is especially true of the statue of the Virgin Mary.

    © Toute la cathédrale est décorée de manière festive à l'occasion de l'Octave - c'est particulièrement vrai pour la statue de la Vierge.

  3. In addition to the masses for pilgrim communities, there are also devotions, prayers and blessings.

    © SIP

  4. It is not only pilgrims who can fortify themselves on the Mäertchen. The Gromperekichelcher are such an indispensable speciality.

    © SIP / Jean-Christophe Verhaegen

  5. During the octave, masses are held several times a day.

    © Während der Oktav finden mehrmals täglich Messen statt.

  6. Visitors can rest and share a meal under a big structure that protects them from the sun. While traditional foods like Gromperekichelcher or sausages are still served a lot, foods from other national backgrounds have become equally popular.

    © SIP

  7. Not only local faith communities, but also the language communities of Luxembourg - here believers from Portugal and Cabo Verde - go on pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary.

    © Jean-Paul Kieffer / SIP

  8. The closing of the Oktav always draws crowds to Luxembourg City.

    © intranet.cathol.lu / Roger Nilles - CC BY-NC-ND

A long-standing tradition

The pilgrimage dates back to 1624, when the country was suffering from the Plague. The provincial council chose Mary, Mother of God, as the country’s patron saint and protector, and as Consoler of the Afflicted (consolatrix afflictorum). From that moment on, the country’s inhabitants would make annual pilgrimages to the Glacis chapel outside the city gates to ask to be cured of illnesses. Later, the statue was moved to Notre-Dame de Luxembourg Cathedral, where it can still be seen today on its gilded votive altar. 

The Virgin Mary was elected patron saint of Luxembourg in 1666.

Traditionally, the Oktav lasted only eight days - hence the origin of the name. Festive processions would make their way to the capital from far afield and pilgrims would endure considerable hardships to pay homage to the Blessed Virgin.

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