Hof der dingen - Pilgrimage

Going on a pilgrimage together – lawyer Jan Leysen finds it a strange phenomenon. He was the one that donated these two photo frames to us.

“I was intrigued by the remarkable resolution of these photos and their uncanny aesthetic. That’s how I started collecting some old photographs. The idea of travelling to Lourdes on pilgrimage, and judging by the many people in wheelchairs, also hoping for a miracle – it fascinates me. It’s probably some sort of cathartic group trance). The funny thing is that I later became legal counsel for 'Vlaanderens Bedevaarten' [Flanders Pilgrimages], where my wife’s great-uncle, a canon, served on the board.” 

Our province is home to many pilgrimage sites, both small and large. There’s the Grotto of Brother Isidoor in Kortrijk, dedicated to Brother Isidore de Loor. Or what about the Abbey of Ten Putte in Gistel, where Godelieve of Gistel was allegedly murdered in the 11th century? 

And of course, there are the many grottoes in our province dedicated to the Mary, Mother of Jesus - traditionally visited during the month of May. The month of May is widely recognised as the month dedicated to Mary, within the Catholic Church. 

Perhaps you too once brought eggs to the Arme Klaren in Roeselare, Bruges or Ostend- a religious order of nuns within the Franciscan tradition, known for their reclusive lifestyle? It's a tradition to offer eggs to Saint Clare to ask for good weather, especially when planning outdoor events. This custom stems from the fact that Saint Clare is also known as The Radiant One. The link with sunshine and good weather is quickly made. Why not bring chickens or other meat? Because one of the rules these nuns need to abide by is that they cannot meat – they’re strictly vegetarian. 

Some pilgrimage sites even have a broader, international appeal. You might think of the Basilica of the Holy Blood in this very city, once the private chapel of the Counts of Flanders – including Diederik of Alsace, who supposedly brought the relic of the Holy Blood to Bruges. This relic is still the centrepiece of the world-famous Procession of the Holy Blood which takes place each Ascension Day. 

Then there’s the Basilica of Dadizele, where pilgrims have worshiped the statue of Our Lady with Child since the 15th century. It was Monseigneur Malou, bisshop of Bruges, who gave the order to build the basilica in 1857, to honour the dogmma of the Immaculate Conception. Along with the Basilica of the Holy Blood in Bruges and the abbey church of Zevenkerken, it is one of the only three basilicas in the diocese of Bruges. 

This pilgrim’s ampulla is a container for holy water or oil and was kindly lent to us by the Yper Museum.