Basilica of Our Lady of Tongre

Basilica of Our Lady of Tongre
Notre Dame de Tongre(French)
Basic information
Location Belgium Chièvres
Geographic coordinates 50°34′53.9″N 3°46′31.58″E / 50.581639°N 3.7754389°E / 50.581639; 3.7754389Coordinates: 50°34′53.9″N 3°46′31.58″E / 50.581639°N 3.7754389°E / 50.581639; 3.7754389
Affiliation Roman Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational status Minor basilica, Parish
Website
Architectural description
Architect(s) J.F. Demarbaix
Architectural type Church
Architectural style Baroque
Direction of façade SW
Completed 1777[1]
Specifications
Length 60 metres (200 ft)
Width 20 metres (66 ft)

The Basilica of Our Lady of Tongre (French: Basilique de Notre Dame de Tongre) is a Roman Catholic parish church and minor basilica in Tongre-Notre-Dame, Chièvres, Belgium. Designed by architect J.F. Demarbaix, it is the smallest basilica of Belgium.

Legend

On February 1st, 1081, a certain Hector, the local lord, sees an apparition of the Virgin Mary in his garden. An hour later, there is nothing left of the image because the village priest, Tongre (today known as Tongre-Saint-Martin), placed it in his church.

But the next day the image of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (Our Lady) mysteriously appears in the garden again, again shrouded in light and music. The wonder reproduced itself twice. The lord consults with the Bishop of Kamerijk, Gerald II, which, after investigation, allowed the image to be worshipped. He built a chapel in the place of these extraordinary events with the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary and it was since known as Our Lady of Tongre (Onze Lieve Vrouw van Tongre).

In his book dedicated to the pilgrimage site of Tongre-Notre-Dame, 17th century historian Father Huart [2] describes the apparition of the station of the Virgin Mary:

“ The miraculous apparition of the statue of Notre-Dame de Tongre was visibly brought by angels through a white, bright cloud into the gardens of the castle of Sir Hector, Lord of the place, at about 11 o’clock in the evening of the first day of February, in the year 1081 ”

History

A chapel was erected on March 27, 1081. In 1093, Pope Urban II established the brotherhood of Our Lady of Tongre. The place immediately attracted large numbers of pilgrims, especially as evidence of wonders and favors bestowed by Virgin Mary beginning to circulate. In the 13th century, the original chapel was replaced by a Gothic church.

In 1642 Abbott Georges Huart, the parish's pastor, wrote an admirable history of the Tongre-Notre-Dame which described an admirable number of wonders. They are not entirely credible but the books shows the fervour surrounding the sanctuary of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw of Tongre.

Several important people searched for the sanctuary and knelt before the Onze Lieve Vrouw van Tongre, including: King Philip I of France, Maria Theresa of Spain and Marie Henriette of Austria(Queen of the Belgians). In homage to the Virgin Mary they gave many gifts (golden crowns, jumpers woven with gold or silver, cross relics, luxury clothing for Madonna, etc.) and during that time established the 'Schatkamer van de Basiliek' (Treasury of the Basilica).

Since the 17th century the cult expanded beyond the Southern Netherlands and Northern France. In 1777, it was decided to build a larger church. This new church was designed by the architect Demarbaix and built in Baroque style. The cult was then spread further by Belgian priests.

Pope Pius XII gave the title of minor basilica in 1951.

Cult and Worship

The most important feast of Onze-Lieve-Vrouw of Tongre is February 2nd, more precisely on the night of the 1st or 2nd of February, the anniversary of the appearance in the garden of Sir Hector. Accompanied by a torchlight, the statue is carried through the Maiden Tower, a circuit was established by Gerald II, bishop of Kamerijk, on February 17th, 1081. The pilgrims visit the basilica the entire year, where diverse activities are organized. The month of September is a month of special devotion. The second procession includes groups of the Sunday of September. Onze Lieve Vrouw of Tongre is revered as a 'liefdevolle moeder' (loving mother). She is the patron saint of dysfunctional families and injuries. She is also called upon by poets, writers and students.

Romanesque statue of our Lady of Tongre (1081)

Notes

  1. ↑ Mardaga, Pierre (1988), Le patrimoine monumental de la Belgique (in French) 13, Editions Mardaga, pp. 617–618, ISBN 2-8021-0086-6
  2. ↑ Huart 1662, p. 11

References

External links

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