History
The Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) is a prolonged struggle between armies of Catholic nations and those of Protestants. In the Netherlands, this means that the Catholic Spaniards are opposed by the Protestants of the Seven Provinces (States Army troops). A fierce battle rages in the region of Empel; this is called the Battle of Empel.
The Spanish soldiers are under the command of military leader Francisco Arias de Bobadilla (1537-1610), who later becomes a count, namely Conde de Puñonrostro. Command of the States' troops is held by Philip von Hohenlohe-Neuenstein (1550-1606), who is lieutenant-general from 1575-1600 and a count from 1568 until 1606.
It is 8th December 1585, and a large Spanish legion finds itself in a precarious situation at Empel, surrounded by Dutch soldiers. The Spaniards have been trapped for 5 days by the Dutch fighters. The Spanish soldiers dig in, build a rampart, and suddenly find an effigy of Mary in the ground. The finders place this statue in the church of Empel and pray to Our Lady for salvation. That night, a sudden frost sets in, and the river near Empel freezes over. This becomes their salvation on 8th December, the day of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The ships of the Dutch troops are in danger of freezing stuck. As a result, they retreat, and some boats head for more open water. Nevertheless, several ships of the Dutch army become stuck in the ice. This allows about 4000 Spanish soldiers to escape by crossing the frozen water. They consider this a miracle of Mary. The Catholic warriors flee across the ice to the nearby ‘s-Hertogenbosch. There, the Spaniards are received by the Confraternity of the Sweet Mother of 's-Hertogenbosch. Subsequently, they go to the St. John's Basilica, located in the city centre. There they thank Our Lady for their salvation.
On 12 November 1892, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was declared the patron saint of the Spanish infantry. This devotion and title originated with Maria Christina of Austria (Maria Christina Désirée Henriette Felicitas Rainiera, 1858-1929), Queen of Spain (1879-1886) and Queen Regent of Spain (1886-1902).
The chapel on Empelsedijk in Oud-Empel was consecrated on 9 December 2000. This chapel was built with the help of sponsors, including the Maaskant Water Board, the Province of North Brabant, and private individuals. Inside the chapel is the effigy of Our Lady of Empel.
In 2007, Empel was rediscovered by a Spanish soldier. Since 2008, there has been an annual pilgrimage of Spaniards to Empel in Brabant, and this has become a tradition.
Since 2019, the St. Mary's Chapel in Oud-Empel and the church in Empel have been incorporated into a route from Spain: “credencial del camino Espanol” (declaration of the Spanish Way). The round trip is a route of around 5000 kilometres.
In Spain, primary school children learn about “El Milagro de Empel” (the Miracle of Empel). Consequently, they know much more about the history of Empel than Dutch children from north of the rivers, who are generally unaware of it. In the south of the Netherlands, the Battle of Empel is more well-known.
Pilgrimage site
Empel is a pilgrimage site of Mary, particularly for Spaniards.
In a small chapel, built in 2000 and dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, stands a statue of Mary. The small effigy commemorates the escape of Spaniards across frozen water. The chapel is located on the site where parish churches have stood since the year 800. People visit the chapel daily. They do so for contemplation, prayer, and also to rest on one of the benches.
The miracle of Empel is commemorated annually by hundreds of Spaniards, including soldiers, and is marked by the showing of great honour to Our Lady. The Spaniards believe that they were saved by Mary's intercession. The commemoration day is 8 December, the feast day of the Immaculate Conception. In practice, the gathering of many Spaniards and Dutch people takes place in and around Empel and Oud-Empel around 8 December. The gatherings are held at the chapel in Oud-Empel and in the parish church in Empel.
ACCESSIBILITY
Empel and Oud-Empel are located close to ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The parish church is located at Proosdijstraat 14, 5236AT Empel. The church is dedicated to Saint Landelinus.
The Chapel of Our Lady in Oud-Empel is located on the Empelsedijk, where churches previously stood.
More information can be found by consulting www.parochiemaria.nl and www.empelsmiracle.com.
Experience
A fierce battle raged in and around Empel during the Eighty Years' War. This is depicted in the parish church of Empel. Paintings in the parish church transport me to the battle and to the miracle in 1585. The Catholic, experienced Spaniards are at war with the Protestant, States troops. I learn that the Dutch fighters have breached dykes, preventing the Spanish soldiers from escaping. The Spaniards are surrounded by Dutch, Protestant troops and have nowhere to go. But Mary is going to save the Catholic Spaniards. This is the miracle of Empel during the Battle of Empel.
Afterwards, I go to the chapel and see the statue of Our Lady. What a well-maintained chapel this is! This is the moment to pray to Mary and let my thoughts go to the battle that raged here in the 16th century.
At the end of the visit to Empel, I stand on the dike and think of the Spaniards who were able to escape through the intercession of Mary.
Environment
Going from St John's Church in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to the Marian shrine in Empel means travelling 7 km to the north.
From the pilgrimage site in Roermond to Oud-Empel is 99 km northwest.
Leaving Nijmegen to arrive in Oud-Empel means covering 58 km to the southwest.
Leaving Utrecht to arrive in Oud-Empel requires covering 56 km in a southerly direction.
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