Chaam is located in the province of North Brabant, a few kilometres south of Breda, close to the Belgian border. On the Meerleseweg, turn into Kapelstraat and then follow Kapelweg. On Kapelweg, just outside the built-up area, between numbers 2 and 6, you will find the chapel of O.L. Vrouw ter Sneeuw.
The origins of this chapel date back to 1942, in the midst of the Second World War. The then newly appointed young curate in Chaam, A.C.P.M. Hack (1915-1988), heard of a miracle where a sick nun was suddenly cured. He succeeded in obtaining materials, money, approval, and moral support to establish a chapel. The building site became a plot of land with a pit, which first had to be filled in. Contractor Van Raak carried out the construction, and it was completed in 1943. On October 10th of that year, the small place of worship was consecrated.
The St. Catherine's Chapel plays an important role in the years it is part of the St. Catherine's House on St. Catherine's Square, in the heart of the historic centre of Bergen op Zoom. The chapel is important for the daily religious life of the sisters. It is the dedicated sisters of the Congregation of Franciscan Sisters who, for decades, provide a great deal of care to the elderly and sick. This continues until 1 December 2014, at which point there is no longer a mother house. However, the chapel remains and is a gem to experience.
The white statue of the crowned Mary with Child is the radiant centrepiece of the chapel. This statue was made by the prolific sculptor Niel Steenbergen (1911-1997). This Brabander was a co-founder of the art academy in Breda, the later Sint-Joost. He chose a special material, namely French Savonnières limestone. The chapel's maintenance is carried out by volunteers, who also provide the chapel with flowers.
The naming of Our Lady of the Snow has an old story...
On 16 January 1645, pedlar Willem Verreet (or Verreyt) from Baarle finds a small, wooden statue of Mary on the snow-covered heath between Chaam and Ulicoten. He is on his way to Chaam to celebrate the feast of Saint Anthony the following day. However, the recumbent statue is completely free of snowflakes. The finder takes the statue of Mary with him and continues his journey to Chaam. On the way, Willem Verreet is ambushed by two highwaymen. They demand his money. A fight ensues, and the pedlar is shot at. However... the finder of the statue remains unharmed because he holds the image in front of him. The criminals flee, and Willem Verreet is grateful for his miraculous rescue. A few weeks later, the pedlar, with his wares for sale, arrives in Werbeek, which is near Retie in present-day Belgium. On 15 February 1645, he places the statue by a centuries-old oak tree. Willem Verreet considers this a safe place; far enough away from the Protestant, anti-Catholic dominance in the Brabant region. Stories of the events surrounding the statue spread, and consequently, the number of pilgrims increases. This comes to the attention of Augustinus Wichmans (1596-1661), the prelate of Tongerlo, who takes the initiative to have a chapel built. This church official proceeds with great vigour, and the place of worship is taken into use in 1646. The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of the Snow. During the celebration of the chapel's opening, some sisters from Achel are present, among them the ailing Elisabeth, who suffers from continuous trembling of her limbs. Prayers are offered for her, and she is completely healed.
