KORTENBOS
History
The place where the basilica is located was a notorious, dangerous place in the 17th century. Two forests met there, namely Kortenbos and Kapoentjesbos. Murderers and highwaymen stayed in these forests. The road by the forests was called a "death trap".
The official name of the church is “Basilica of the Assumption of Mary”. The pilgrimage church is therefore dedicated to Our Lady. It is also referred to as “Our Lady of Kortenbos” and she is the patron saint of Limburg.
The nave of the church was built between 1641 and 1648.
The church is served by the Norbertines of the Abbey of Averbode. The design of the building is by the Franciscan Nicolaas Ray. The construction took place during a turbulent period, as in the Thirty Years“ War (1618-1648), fierce fighting raged between Catholics and Protestants. On 1 May 1648, the consecration of the church was performed by Richard Pauli-Stravius (c.1584-1654), Prince-Bishop of Liège (1642-1654). He dedicated the building to ”Our Lady of the Disabled".
The church has been extended several times, namely with transepts in 1655-1665. Other extensions took place in 1698-1725 and 1925. The building is a single-nave, Baroque cruciform church, constructed from bricks. However, unusual events preceded the construction and extensions of the church, as it concerns a much-discussed statuette…
In the basilica of Kortenbos, a statue of Mary is venerated. In 1636, the widow Elisabeth van Oeteren/Outeren placed a statuette of Our Lady in an oak tree to protect travellers from highwaymen. She had received this statuette from Father Franciscus Menjoey of the Sint-Truiden monastery, due to her many donations. It is a copy of the statuette of Our Lady of Foy. The statuette attracts much interest and miracles are reported, such as healings. The widow possessed much land, including part of the Kortenbos.
In 1639, a chapel was built at the tree and it was named “Our Lady of the Nightingale at the Kortenbos”. Tens of miracles were reported, and the number of visitors to the chapel steadily increased. Due to this large influx, a church was built. The miracles were investigated to determine their supernatural nature. Jean de Chokier, baron de Surlet (1571-1656), was a canon lawyer and vicar-general of the Prince-Bishopric of Liège. He presented the miracles to a group of scientists from the Faculties of Theology and Medicine at the University of Leuven. Thirty-two miracles were recognised as authentic, further increasing the fame of the pilgrimage site.
The high altar from 1710 is made of marbled wood by the Flemish woodcarver Pieter Scheemaeckers (1640–1714). The two side altars are also made of marbled wood. The painting “Saint Norbertus at Our Lady” by Gaspar de Crayer (1584–1669) from 1662 is centrally placed on the altar. Gaspar de Crayer was a pupil of Rubens. The basilica has monumental confessionals which date from the 17th century. The pulpit also comes from this period.
The French Revolution (1789-1799) causes enormous upheaval in 1790 with the plundering of churches and the expulsion of clergy. The sanctuary of Kortenbos also suffers from this and is sold. In the early 19th century, peace returns.
In 1873, during the celebration of the 225th anniversary of the church's consecration in 1648, the noble Bishop of Liège, Jonkheer Théodore Alexis Joseph de Montpellier (1807-1879), Bishop of Liège from 1852 to 1879, proclaimed “Our Lady of Kortenbos” as the patron saint of Limburg.
On 1 May 1898, the statue of Mary was crowned by Victor-Joseph Doutreloux (1837-1901), Bishop of Liège (1879-1901), and this was after the approval of Pope Leo XIII, Pope from 1878 to 1903.
In 1936, the pilgrimage church was elevated to a basilica. The title “basilica minor” was bestowed by Pope Pius XI, who was pope from 1922 to 1939.
In the period 1991-1996 the basilica was restored.
Pilgrimage site
Kortenbos is situated close to the road from Hasselt to Sint-Truiden and the one that connects the villages of Kozen and Zepperen.
The impressive basilica captures the attention of every visitor to Kortenbos. The imposing building is clearly visible throughout the entire area. For visitors, the statue of Mary is central within the basilica. Many thousands come to the basilica annually to pay homage to the statue of Mary.
Because of Mary's attention to the poorly and suffering, Our Lady of Kortenbos is invoked by pilgrims for the healing and salvation of the sick, or “Salus Infirmorum”. Mary is then specifically called upon to not be disabled or injured by an accident involving a car, bicycle, or horse.
Our Lady of Kortenbos is the patron saint of Limburg.
The pilgrims are coming not only to receive comfort and strength for their suffering, but also to prevent their country from going to war again.
In the month of May, many activities are organised, such as processions and pilgrimages. In addition, concerts are also held in the basilica. The basilica is open daily.
ACCESSIBILITY
The “Basilica of the Assumption of Mary” is located at Basiliekstraat 7 in Kortenbos, which is part of the municipality of 3800 Sint-Truiden. Kortenbos is located in the province of Limburg.
Up-to-date information can be obtained via the website
www.alken.be/product/1546/parish-church-services—kortenbos
Experience
The basilica is an impressive building to me, and not just the exterior; inside it is also a jewel in the Limburg landscape. What do the stained-glass windows reveal about the history of Kortenbos?.
As I walk through the basilica, the inventory catches my eye. The basilica features many artworks from the 17th century. I come to the statue of Mary, and there, filled with admiration, I stand before the Mother of God and pray to Her. The revered statue depicts the Mother of God in a standing posture. With her right arm, She supports her Child, and with her left hand, She holds a little foot of her Son. The statue is polychromed and is almost 20 centimetres high. The little Jesus holds an apple in his right hand, and his left hand rests on his Mother's chest.
In the basilica, I read the text of the “Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Kortenbos”:
“Remember,",
Our Lady of Kortenbos,
the unspeakable power,
your deadly Son
you have given
to his adorable Heart.
Trusting in your goodness
we implore your protection.
Heavenly treasurer
from Jesus’ Heart,
that you can open at your pleasure,
to let people share
In His love and mercy.
Grant us,
we implore you,
the favours we request…
No,
We cannot be rejected.,
because you are our Mother.
Our Lady of Kortenbos
Hear our prayer.
Our Lady of Kortenbos,
preservation of the sick,
Pray for us.”
Below is:
“By reciting this prayer
share in the prayers
of the brotherhood
Our Lady of Kortenbos”
Posted: 22 April 2021.
Last modified: 4 December 2024
~~~
