Oktav Pilgrimage: honouring Luxembourg's patron saint, the Virgin Mary

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The Oktav, celebrated in honour of the Virgin Mary, is one of the main events of the year. Over the period of a fortnight, in April and May, parishioners 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. Once there, they go to see the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg, and then find something to eat at the Mäertchen (literally "small market").

A long-standing tradition

The pilgrimage dates back to 1666, when the country was suffering during 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 then on, the Duchy's inhabitants started participating in this pilgrimage to the Glacis chapel to ask for the healing of diseases.

Later, the statue was moved to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg, where it can be seen today, standing on its golden votive altar. The statue is dressed in festive garb for the occasion, and the cathedral is richly decorated.

And nowadays?

Today, most parishes organise pilgrimages covering at least part of the distance. Pilgrims arrive at the outskirts of the city before forming processions that make their way to the cathedral in prayer. During the pilgrimage, a number of masses are being held each day. The programme includes masses for families, linguistic communities, schools and the blessing of children by the cardinal.

And let's not forget the Oktavsmäertchen which occupies the Knuedler (Place Guillaume II).* This little market is closely linked to the religious tradition. After the visit to 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 forming 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. 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

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

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

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