Devotion to Mary Archives

Blankenberge – St Roch's Church – depictions of Mary

Jan van Wijk 7 August 2026 No comments

Not far from the Zeedijk in Blankenberge stands the church dedicated to Saint Roch with images of Mary. The church was built because the nearby Saint Anthony Abbot Church is too small…

Rossum – Mariagrot

Jan van Wijk 4 August 2026 No comments

On the church square in Rossum, near the monumental church of Saint Plechelm and next to the graveyard, stands a Lourdes grotto. A special story lies behind the creation of the grotto...

Wassenaar – Life of Mary in the Good Shepherd Church

Jan van Wijk 29 July 2026 No comments

In Wassenaar-Zuid stands the Goede Herderkerk, which was built between 1928 and 1932. The architects were Leonardus (Leo) van der Laan (1864-1942) and his eldest son Johannes Antonius (Jan) van…

Unborn

Jan van Wijk 27 July 2026 No comments

Dear Maria, Protecting the unborn child is coming under increasing pressure. All sorts of images flash through my mind. Removing the unborn child from the womb means the death of the child. This…

Heaven

Jan van Wijk 19 July 2026 No comments

I often stand before a depiction of Mary, looking down first, then up to meet Her gaze for a long time. As I lift my head…

Development

Jan van Wijk 21 June 2026 No comments

One is taking a Reiki course to achieve healing and reduce pain, but finds it too New Age. Another chooses Jehovah's Witnesses because God (Jehovah) is the creator...

In the centre of the Waasland town of Sint-Niklaas, overlooking the Market square, stands the monumental Saint Nicholas Church, where images of Mary are richly represented. The first structure of the church…

Temporary – Wedding poem for the month of June 2026

Jan van Wijk 4 June 2026 No comments

“tijdelijk” comes from the collection “Maria in gedachten” from 2025. temporarily the lungs wheezingthis is aboutwith medication rest time to think moreabout myself I am awaretime devouringonce…

Miracles

Jan van Wijk 30 May 2026 No comments

Visiting Marian pilgrimage sites and apparitions of the Mother of God have been attributed to miracles. The most talked about are miracles that happen through the use of water…

Amsterdam

Jan van Wijk 20 May 2026 No comments

In the Beguinage Chapel, dedicated to Saints Joannes and Ursula, a painting of “The Assumption of Mary” is affixed near the main altar. The artwork was created in 1649 by the leading, Catholic,…