History
On 1 November 1937, All Saints' Day, 11-year-old Grete Ganseforth leaves St. Peter ad Vincula church for a prayer break. Upon exiting, she looks at the churchyard and sees, a few dozen metres from the church by the graveyard, a light and immediately afterwards a radiant figure. This figure is on a cloud and about a metre above the ground. On returning to the church, Grete tells her 13-year-old sister Maria that she may have seen the Mother of God. A little later, they both go to the spot where the beautiful figure had been. Their friends, 11-year-old Anni Schulte and 13-year-old Susanne Bruns, are also present. The four children see the figure in a white robe, held together by a cord. The wide sleeves of the garment reach to the hands. The figure wears a white, opaque veil, from her head down to the light blue cloud on which she stands. The figure's hair is invisible through the veil. The Apparition has blue eyes. On her veiled left hand sits a small child, wearing a white dress with half sleeves. The child's hair, which comes down to its ears, is blond and curly. The little child also has blue eyes. With her right hand, it holds a golden orb with a small cross on it. The children estimate the beautiful figure to be 19 years old and the little child 1 or 2 years old. The figure wears an ornate, golden crown, without gemstones. The four children are convinced that this figure is the Mother of God and the little child Jesus.
This is the first day of the apparitions, and in the period up to and including 13 November 1937, the children see the Apparition every day. More than 100 apparitions follow over the course of 105 days. Occasionally there are two apparitions in a single day, both to the four girls together and to each of them individually. The apparitions in early November cause quite a stir in the region. However, in 1937 the Nazis were in power in Germany and they had no time for belief in apparitions. From 8 November 1937, the children were subjected to repeated interrogations by the anti-clerical authorities. The four visionaries were taken to a hospital in Osnabrück to be examined. However, the children were in perfect health; they appeared to be in good mental and physical condition. They were subsequently sent to a psychiatric institution. They were placed in a dormitory, where they were harassed by the mentally ill. In the institution, the children were subjected to psychological manipulation and were threatened, punished, interrogated and examined. The girls are accused of fabricating stories and are dismissed as psychopaths. The children maintain their position that they have seen the Mother of God. The visionaries speak the truth subjectively. They do not make statements under the influence of others. Their accounts are consistently consistent with one another. The girls remain in the institution for six weeks, from 14 November to 23 December 1937. During this period, there are no apparitions. Under pressure from church authorities, they are released. The Bishop of Osnabrück, in particular, has campaigned for this. The children then spend four weeks at the Mariahospitaal in Osnabrück. There they recover both mentally and physically. They return to Heede on 19 January 1938. The Gestapo issued them with orders not to go to the site of the apparitions. However, they did not take the main road, but went via a shortcut to the cemetery, where the apparitions resumed.
On April 5th, 1939, the Apparition declares who She is. Maria Ganseforth is alone and has asked the apparition what She wishes to be called. The apparition then reveals Herself by answering: “Queen of the Universe” and “Queen of the Poor Souls”. Maria also says that She wishes to be honoured by the recitation of the Litany of Loretto. On October 4th, 1939, She asks the children to make known to the clergy everything She has told them. Other words of Mary include: “I will only heal those who have the right disposition.”
The golden orb, which Jesus is holding, is a symbol for the universe. Mary, in a motherly fashion, places her hand over the orb. The crown of the Queen of the Universe consists of eight points. The number 8 appears in octaves; eight-day church festivals, eight beatitudes, and eight glories. These glories are the Immaculate Conception, the Queen, Virginity, Mother of Jesus, Mother of the Church, the Assumption into heaven, the Queen of the Universe, and the Queen of the poor souls. In Heede, Mary appears by the cemetery, where many poor people lie. Poor souls also include people who have abandoned their faith. Furthermore, people with a heavy sense of responsibility are also poor souls. Poor souls also include people with a special calling.
On 3 November 1940, there was the final apparition of Mary. This happened in exactly the same place as her first apparition, three years earlier. Mary gave the girls her blessing and told them to remain faithful to God, to live good lives, to pray often, and to gladly say the Rosary. She concluded with: “Farewell, dear children, until we meet again in heaven.” In the three-year period, Mary didn't say much. The essential part is that she appeared during an extremely turbulent period.
The apparitions of Mary often occur unexpectedly. Usually, the apparitions last only a few minutes, sometimes a bit longer. The apparitions are always near the cemetery. For the first five months of the apparitions, Mary says nothing. There are only gestures and facial expressions. The children are also blessed by Her. The Apparition looks at them, nods, weeps, beckons, blesses, and hovers. On 2 November 1937, All Souls“ Day, and on Maundy Thursday 1938, the children see the Apparition without Jesus. She holds Her hands clasped. At other apparitions, She is always accompanied by Jesus, but the child never speaks. Only five months after the first apparition does Mary speak Her first words: ”Children, pray a lot." Mary appears irregularly; for example, between 16 August 1938 and 25 March 1939, She only comes to the children on three days. Between 1 January and 5 August 1940, Mary appears only twice to the four visionaries together. She is then deeply saddened. The Apparition has entrusted a secret to each of the visionaries, which they may only share with the Pope. This sharing has not happened, as the children have not come into contact with the Pope. During the apparitions, the four girls are completely insensitive to other stimuli, such as touch, light reflexes, and words. Sometimes many people are present during the apparitions; however, only the four girls see Mary and hear Her speak. The apparitions cannot be scientifically explained and are therefore supernatural.
On 29 September 1940, the Diocese of Osnabrück consecrated itself to Mary.
On 3 November 1973, the first nocturnal adoration took place in Heede.
A chapel, which belonged to a noble family from Heede, once stood on the same site before the construction of the church. The church of St. Petrus in Ketten was built in 1464 and has a seating capacity of 150. In 1983, the old church was renovated to mark its 500th anniversary. The second place of worship was consecrated in 1977 and this church has over 500 seats.
In 1983, the apparition site in the old churchyard was converted into a place of worship.
In 1986 the confessional chapel was consecrated. Heede is one of the few places where there is a lot of confession.
In 1990 the new Stations of the Cross were consecrated.
On 25 March 2000, the apparitions were recognised by the Bishop of Osnabrück. However, the Vatican in Rome has not recognised the apparitions in Heede. The approach to Protestants plays an important role here. Rome does not want to jeopardise the relationship with the Protestant church by accentuating the devotion to Mary.
In Heede, prayers have been answered and healings have occurred.
Pilgrimage site
The place of prayer in Heede, “Gebetsstätte Heede”, contains two churches, namely “St. Petrus in Ketten” dating from 1464 and “Maria, Regina Universum” from 1977. Between the two churches are two covered chapels and a churchyard. Opposite the churches, on the other side of the road, stands a monastery.
Every year, Heede receives many pilgrims who come to celebrate holy communion and to pray. Many who come to Heede have a reason. For example, to pray for the sick in their family and/or circle of acquaintances. People also pray for themselves and for those who are facing difficulties.
Not only do the pilgrims go to the churches, but they also visit the site of the apparitions, the cemetery and Mary's Park.
The Apparition has made it clear that people must pray a great deal, and Heede offers an excellent opportunity for this. Through prayer, people who need extra graces can be helped. After all, prayers are answered in Heede. Healings of the sick also occur there. It is also a place for spiritual vocations. Visitors can have spiritual experiences there.
On the first Saturday of every month, there is an all-night adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in Heede. Then the pilgrims flock. Until just after midnight, there is a prayer time for young people and afterwards for the not-so-young. The prayers continue until the early morning and then the celebration of the Eucharist begins. The pilgrims experience a true night of prayer.
During the summer period, on Saturday evenings, after praying the rosary and mass, there is a procession of lights in the old churchyard. Every Sunday afternoon there is adoration in St. Mary's Church.
Heede holds a religious attraction for many visitors. The place of worship is an excellent location for religious life, even if it only lasts a few hours. Heede is a peaceful place where heaven touches earth.
The pilgrimage site receives around 100,000 visitors annually.
ACCESSIBILITY
The “Gebetsstätte Heede” is located in Northwestern Germany, in the state of Lower Saxony on the banks of the river Ems. From the Netherlands, it is possible to cross the border near Emmen and follow the road to Emden, which is the A31. At exit 17, take the turn towards Heede. Another option is to cross the Dutch-German border near Boertange in Groningen. The place of prayer is then only 7 kilometres from the border.
Address: Kirchstrasse 7, D 26892 Heede.
Website: www.sankt-petrus-heede.de, where you can find current information.
Experience
I have had the opportunity to go to Heede on several occasions. I would like to share some experiences with you...
It's Saturday and I arrive in Heede at half past five in the afternoon. The car is parked and first I go to the Chapel of Apparitions. There I am in thought and prayer.
Next, I'll go to St. Mary's Church, as the rosary prayer begins there at 6 p.m., followed by a eucharistic celebration. Upon entering, I'll buy two booklets with some description of this place of worship. One is for my dear friend who is devoted to Mary, and the other I'll keep for myself. I'll also buy a candle, which is for the procession that will be held later in the evening. More people arrive at the church as the Hail Marys increase in number.
This church displays colourful stained-glass windows. Next to the altar, at about two metres high, stands a wooden statue of Mary, which seems familiar from my preparations for this trip. Mary wears a crown and holds the infant Jesus on her left arm. The golden orb with a small cross on top is also present. The service begins with much prayer and singing. After this, the novena for the sick is recited. Following the ceremonies, I take a tour of the church. Among other places, I arrive at the Lady chapel at the rear of the house of God and see a remarkably large painting. The impressive work of art depicts Mary and Jesus, who have appeared here often.
When the clock strikes ten, the eucharistic service begins. The Maria Church is packed. There are even visitors standing at the back of the building. Apparently, this is how it is every first Saturday of the month, or so I'm told. During the service, there's a lot of singing and long periods of kneeling. What well-trained kneeling knees these Germans have! My knees, with only skin over the bones, start protesting after just ten minutes.
The procession starts at the Mary Church at half past eleven. It is a long, illuminated procession that goes through Mary Park and the graveyard. A great many Marian hymns are sung during the procession. The end of this nocturnal, candle-lit procession concludes at the Mary Church. Prayers are said there afterwards.
After the procession, I take my extinguished candle to the car. There, I take a few sips of water, eat two prunes, and head back to the Church of St Mary. I arrive just in time to catch the beginning of the youth adoration. I join in the praying, even though my body is no longer young, my feelings are still youthful. Besides, I have long hair. But is this an expression of youth? Perhaps my hair makes others think of survival from the turbulent sixties of the last century. An over-the-hill pilgrim…
A large screen is positioned by the altar and texts appear on it. This allows visitors to sing along, accompanied by a guitar and a piano. Texts are read aloud between the singing.
The prayer time for the older people begins once the younger people have made their contributions. The changing of the guard is just after 1:00 AM. There is also singing during the new night section, but considerably more praying. The singing stops at 3:00 AM, and then the prayer sessions begin, with fewer people praying in the church with each quarter of an hour. My thoughts turn to my mum and dad. Good friends also visit my mind. I wish them all the best. How happy I am with such a rich social life.
My prayers stop at a quarter to seven. I buy a few more candles, cards and lockets for others. Then I leave the church. It has been light outside for a while. I let the fresh air surround me. How peaceful and quiet it feels here. It's good to be here. When I reach the car, the purchased goods are put in the bag. I take my place in the car. I think about my stay here and fall asleep.
Even afterwards, I am woken by ringing bells. A short nap… I leave the car and approach St. Mary's Church. The Eucharist begins at eight o'clock. The church is half full this time. There are about ten little sisters dressed in black. Much singing also takes place in this Mass. The priest is accompanied by two girls and two boys. They are the altar servers, around twelve years old. The celebrant is also assisted by a woman dressed in white. Kneeling is coming to me more easily now. It's just a matter of getting used to it.
After mass, I will go to the large statue of Mary in this church. I will thank her for the lovely, spiritually rich stay in this place of worship. My thoughts turn to my parents. How would they have experienced it here?
Next, I visit the cemetery and take a walk around. I come to the grave of Grete Ganseforth (12-1-1926 – 27-1-1996), one of the seers. There are flowers and candles burning at the grave. Here lies the woman who was bedridden for almost 50 years. What she must have suffered...
After the cemetery, I walk to the adjoining Mary Park. Here lie the mysteries of the Rosary and there is a statue of Pope John Paul II. He is depicted on a rock, leaning on his staff with a cross. In this park, there is also the statue, which resembles Mary from the time of the apparitions. She wears a white robe, a golden crown, and stands on a blue cloud. The effigy is strikingly placed among the trees. In the sanctuary and especially in Mary Park, there are many large boulders, and these refer to places where the Queen of the Universe has appeared.
As I leave the Maria Park, my eye falls on a large bronze statue of the Archangel Michael. The angel stands on a very large boulder, which represents the globe. A snake coils around it and the angel looks upwards. The statue was designed and made by sculptor Michael Franke. After that, the Stations of the Cross are on the agenda. It is a particularly beautiful, artistic route with artistically designed stations.
A little later, I'm in the car, heading home. I have a particularly good feeling. Heede, a place of prayer, touches me. How wonderful it is that I was able to make such a valuable visit to this place of worship. With this thought, I realise once again that so much comes my way. How grateful I am for this life.
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