History
In Elshout in Brabant, the Miraculous Mother has been venerated even before the year 1285. Indeed, in 1285 a chapel was dedicated to Her. This chapel is situated on the Gorseweide, on the edge of the village. In that year, the chapel was handed over to the “Witheeren” or Norbertine friars of the Abbey of Berne, near Heeswijk. The chapel originated in the 12th century. A legend tells...
During warm weather, a farmer from nearby Drunen is sowing. The man is sunburnt and thirsty, but unfortunately has not brought any drinks. He rests for a while, leans over his spade, and sees an unknown woman approaching in the distance. When the woman has come closer to him, he asks her for something to drink. Thereupon, the woman goes to the ditch, scoops up water, and brings it to the farmer. He is reluctant to drink the dirty ditch water. However, the woman urges him to drink the water. The farmer drinks from it and experiences that it is the most delicious water he has ever drunk. Then, the woman has suddenly disappeared. The farmer realises that this woman is Mary. He continues sowing and decides to build a chapel for Our Lady when the recently sown flax is ripe. The next morning, the farmer comes to his field and is very surprised because the flax has become ripe within one day. He realises that the rapid ripening of the flax is a miraculous event. The farmer keeps his word and a chapel is built for the Miraculous Mother. This gives rise to the pilgrimage site of Elshout, and the water is considered holy.
Around 1830, the old chapel was demolished, and a new shrine to Mary was built on the same spot, with a forecourt. Wall tiles depicting a piece of history were incorporated into the chapel walls.
The first stone for the current chapel was laid on 10 June 2021 by the Mary Pilgrimage working group. On 1 May 2022, the Mary Chapel was reopened after renovation and expansion, due to the ageing of the building and the increasing number of visitors. On 31 May 2022, the Mary Chapel was consecrated, marking the end of May. A procession preceded the consecration. After all, it is a tradition that on the last day of May, a Sacrament procession goes from the church to the chapel and back. This is called “Onzen Dag” (Our Day) and this cultural day has been designated as intangible heritage.
Each year, several thousand people visit the chapel to venerate and/or pray to the Wonderful Mother.
You can become a friend of “Friends of Mariabedevaart Elshout” (vrienden@wonderbaremoeder.nl).
Pilgrimage site
In the Mary Chapel, history is depicted through stained-glass windows, such as the sowing farmer and the apparition of Mary.
In the Neo-Gothic parish church of St John the Evangelist, built in 1878, there is an old statue of the Virgin Mary in the left-hand side altar. This statue used to stand in the chapel that the farmer had built. On the wall are ex-votos from people who have been healed by Our Lady.
It is striking that, in an age of declining church attendance, interest in Marian chapels, such as the one in Elshout, continues to grow.
ACCESSIBILITY
Elshout is situated between the towns of ‘s-Hertogenbosch and Waalwijk, near Drunen.
The address of the Chapel of Our Lady of Elshout is 45a Kapelstraat.
The parish church of St. John the Evangelist is located at 35 Kerkstraat.
Up-to-date information can be found at www.wonderbaremoeder.nl.
Experience
Before entering the chapel, I stop at the information board and read about the story of the farmer sowing seeds who meets Mary. A few metres behind this board stands a boundary marker, indicating the border between Brabant and Holland in 1795. It is striking that the border runs alongside the Lieve Vrouwepad.
In the Mary Chapel, I find encouragement and solace when meeting Our Lady. Lighting a few candles is done before praying to Mary, who is depicted here as the Miraculous Mother. The chapel displays windows with colourful depictions of the legend of the sower and the thirsty peasant. Then I realise that I am standing here on the site where Mary appeared.
Next, I go to the church, where I spend a long time gazing at the ancient statue in the left-hand side chapel. How many visitors this image of the Miraculous Mother has welcomed over the years.
A little later, I return to the Chapel of Our Lady. There I find a leaflet containing a fitting prayer from 1942. The text reads:
“Holy Virgin Mary, who is venerated in a special way under the beautiful title of “Wonderful Mother” at the shrine of Elshout, we implore your help and intercession in all our needs. Help us to obtain what we so earnestly ask for: health of soul and body, for ourselves and for those for whom we pray. Stand by us in difficulties and dangers, that we may always diligently fulfil our duties. We shall remain ever grateful to you. Amen. “Wonderful Mother of Elshout”, pray for us.”
Posted 14 June 2022
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