History
The Abbey of Averbode has a long history. The origins of the Abbey of Averbode lie in the year 1134. In that year, the abbey was founded on the initiative of Count Arnold II of Loon (1085-1138). It became an abbey for Premonstratensians.
The abbey buildings display various styles, including Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance.
From the 14th century, abbey beer has been brewed. The Norbertines also publish many books, are active in education, and carry out many agricultural activities.
Between 1664 and 1672, the current Baroque abbey church was built. On 11 July 1672, the church was consecrated.
At the end of the 18th century, French occupying forces held sway in Belgium. On 1 September 1796, the French occupiers decreed that monasteries and abbeys must close, and as a result, the abbey shut down. In 1834, monastic life resumed in the abbey.
In 1877, the Confraternity of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was established. This organisation is a Marian society. It was largely due to the many initiatives of this confraternity that the abbey and the later-established Marian Park grew into a pilgrimage site.
The statue of Our Lady was crowned in 1912 by Désiré-Joseph Mercier (1851-1926), Archbishop of Mechelen (1906-1926) and Cardinal (Metropolitan of Belgium, 1907-1926). Then, too, the establishment of the coronation chapel took place, the construction of which began in 1910. The reason for the creation of the coronation chapel was the silver (25th) jubilee of the Archconfraternity of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1912.
On 29 December 1942, a large fire destroyed abbey buildings, but the church was spared. The abbey church was thoroughly restored between 1969 and 2001. This was an extensive project, both externally and internally. In the following years, activities were divested, and the publishing house, among other things, disappeared through its sale to the publishing company Plantyn.
In 2018, a new candle chapel was furnished, built next to the church.
In the woods opposite the abbey, along the Lekdreef, stands the Chapel of the Holy Cross, built in 1844. This building is also known as ’t Zwart Kapelleke (the Little Black Chapel) because the interior walls have turned black from the smoke of the many candles that have burned there. The chapel was built in 1844 on the initiative of Sulpitius De Lespes (1773-1848), abbot of the Abbey of Averbode (1843-1848) and previously parish priest of this locality (1824-1843). Near this chapel stands the neo-Gothic Coronation Chapel, the first stone of which was laid in 1912. The chapel was realised as a result of the coronation festivities of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1910. Benoît Van Uytvanck (1857-1927), a sculptor from Leuven, was responsible for the design and construction. This chapel is situated on a hill, and a wide staircase leads visitors to the top.
Pilgrimage tourism continued to grow, and at the beginning of the 20th century, a new town emerged in Averbode with cafés, hotels, restaurants, shops, and homes. The growth continued until the mid-20th century, after which there was a decline in visitors. However, many visitors still come on weekends.
The Maria Park, situated next to the abbey in a woodland area known as landduin Smisbos, covers three hectares. The park's development began in 1935, with the final stations completed in 1960. The Maria Park gave Averbode a significant boost in strengthening its status as a pilgrimage site. The statues in the devotional park are made of art concrete, making it a unique example of cement rustic architecture. On 21 June 1936, the Maria Park was inaugurated by Abbot Petrus Josephus Gummarus Crets (1858-1944), abbot of the Averbode Abbey (1887-1942). Although the park was far from finished, the Lourdes Grotto was the first structure completed by rock construction specialist (rock sculpter) Alfons Janssens (1880-1959) from Westmeerbeek. The grotto was later renovated by Freddy Janssens (1943), Alfons's grandson. Octave Tondeleir (1900-1972) from Oude God also worked on the Lourdes Grotto. The statues of the stations in the Maria Park were primarily created by Léon Bressers (1865-1947) from Ghent. The depiction of Our Lady with the three children in Fatima and a sheep was made in 1936. The Holy Cross Chapel is also located within the Maria Park. It is a small, brick hall church in the Neoclassical style, with a simple interior featuring an altar and a crucifix. It was restored and repainted in 2008. The building is also known as the “little black chapel” due to the soot from the many candles that caused the discolouration. The Maria Park was completed in 1960 and was recognised as a protected monument in 2022. This unique park has been included on the list for the Inventory of Historic Gardens and Parks of Flanders.
Pilgrimage site
No miracles have been recorded at the pilgrimage site. Visitors come to enjoy the church, other buildings, Mary's Park and chapels in the woods. They also come for devotion to Our Lady.
Next to the abbey, the Maria Park is situated between Abdijstraat and Herseltsebaan. It is an almost entirely circular procession route. This religious themed garden with many trees and bushes is set on sloping terrain of 3 hectares. The stations in the park are made of cement rustique, also called artificial concrete. The stations are intended for religious contemplation. Examples of ancient culture are displayed with mock ruins, petrified tree trunks, and mysterious hieroglyphs, which are representations from the time of the ancient Egyptians. In the Maria Park, a circuit can be made past groups of sculptures that refer to the Seven Sorrows of Mary and an Agony in the Garden. The Seven Sorrows of Mary are: the prophecy of Simeon, the flight into Egypt, the search for the lost Jesus, Mary's encounter with Jesus and the cross, Mary under the cross, Mary receiving her dead Son Jesus, and the burial of Jesus.
The devotion park also features a Lourdes grotto. This is situated at the highest point of the park. The grotto is the same size as the original in Lourdes, France, and makes an impressive impact on visitors. The Lourdes grotto has space for celebrations.
In the apse of the coronation chapel hangs a bas-relief depicting the coronation of Mary in heaven. Four stained-glass windows show images of playing angels, Saint Joseph, and Saint Gummarus. In the chapel stands a small, stone altar.
Opposite the abbey lies a forest, and near the Lekdreef, two chapels can be visited: ’t Zwart Kapelleke and the Kroningskapel.
In the abbey shop, many products are available, such as abbey beer, books, bread, cards, cheese, and gingerbread.
ACCESSIBILITY
The abbey's address is Abdijstraat 1, 3271 Averbode and the Maria Park is located next to the abbey, also on Abdijstraat. Averbode belongs to the municipality of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem.
Current information can be found on the internet: www.abdijaverbode.be.
Experience
The renowned Abbey of Averbode is more than worth a visit. In the church, there are beautiful statues of Our Lady, and praying before them happens in a special place. After a tour of the church, I go to the candle chapel to light a few candles, with intentions for some good friends who are struggling with their health and are good to their close relatives.
In the church, I see a leaflet with the text of a prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart lying on the floor. I read the text and it touches me. This is especially true of the sentence: ”Obtain for the world hope and peace, mercy and salvation."
Next, I will visit two chapels located in a wood on the other side of the abbey. First, I will go to the ’t Zwart Kapelleke and then, via a large staircase, up the hill to the Kroningskapel. These two chapels remind me of the rich past of this pilgrimage site.
I'm taking a walk through the extensive Maria Park. The Lourdes Grotto is impressive, but I miss the statue of Bernadette Soubirous. Later, I learn that due to vandalism, the statues in the park have suffered greatly. For example, only two of the three seers are present in the depiction of the apparitions of Mary at Fatima in 1917. It's a shame that this park is in such a state of disrepair. Vandalism runs riot here, as Maria Park is not fenced off and anyone can enter it at any hour of the day.
Near the Lourdes grotto, I have a beautiful view of the church and outbuildings of the Abbey of Averbode.
After visiting the abbey, chapels, and Mary's Park, I will spend a few hours at the birthplace of Ernest Claes, one of Flanders' most well-known writers. To conclude the day, there will be a recitation of the Rosary in the Basilica of Scherpenheuvel.
Environment
The basilica in Scherpenheuvel is located nearby. From Averbode Abbey to the Basilica of Our Lady of Scherpenheuvel is 7 km. The birthplace of the great Flemish writer Ernest Claes is now the Visitor Centre-Museum Huize Ernest Claes and is located 2 km from the abbey at Ernest Claesstraat 152 in Zichem. The old, historically rich city of Diest is 11 km away from Averbode Abbey.
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