History
Recollects, also known as Observants, are Franciscan, reformed religious orders that originated in the 15th century. In the 16th century, friars would gather in monasteries, which emphasised recollection; the acts of contemplation during meditation and prayer. In seclusion for one or more hours, they would concentrate on their meditation and prayer.
A legend precedes the origin of the Marian shrine. On 18 September 1692, a severe earthquake struck, registering 6.25 on the Richter scale. In the afternoon, residents of Verviers came to pray before the statue of Mary, seeking Her protection. In the evening, many returned to the chapel and prayed before the image of Our Lady. Their surprise was immense, as the familiar image had adopted a different posture. Until recently, Mary held a sceptre in her left hand and cradled her Child with her right. The Child, moreover, looked at the visitors and blessed them with his right hand. In his left hand, Jesus held an orb as a sign of his divinity. The left arm, which held the sceptre, was bent towards Mary's chest, and the Child was no longer sitting upright but was turned halfway towards his Mother. His right hand rested against Mary, who held a sceptre. Jesus' left hand rested against his Mother's chest. This caused the Child to adopt an unnatural posture. No one witnessed the change in the statue occurring, yet a miraculous transformation had taken place. The faithful saw these changes as a miracle. A few days later, a witness recounted seeing the Virgin Mary smile. The faithful interpreted the changes as a sign of Mary's mercy, stemming from God's goodness. Subsequently, clergy interviewed over 100 people, and all testimonies were identical. As a result, the higher clergy granted permission to commemorate and celebrate the miracles. In the time that followed, many healings were documented.
The chapel was built in the 17th century; it is the work of a Recollect friar. This is the first part of the later church. The nave dates from 1647.
In 1792, French troops invaded Verviers and closed the Church of Our Lady. However, this did not prevent believers from continuing to pray before the image of the Black Virgin. They ignored the French prohibition on public worship there.
In 1793, a miracle occurs at the statue of Mary, when a woman is suddenly able to walk without crutches. This generates a great deal of interest in the Black Madonna. Later, the public appeals to the French occupiers to reopen the church. The mass request is granted in 1804, making it possible for believers to once again pray at the miraculous statue in the church.
In 1810, a large fire destroyed almost the entire church, but the statue of Mary escaped the flames. Reconstruction began in 1816, after sufficient funds had been raised by well-off residents. The building was restored in 1818. In 1842, the parish priest encouraged the veneration of the statue of Mary, and the pilgrimage to the Black Virgin saw more and more pilgrims.
In 1892, Leo XIII, Pope from 1873 to 1903 and born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci (1810-1903), granted permission to crown the statue “Our Lady of Memories” of Mary. The crowning of Mother and Child took place on 16 October 1892, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the miracle of 18 September 1692.
The tower was added to the church in 1893. An alcove, a large open niche, was made for the effigy of Mary with Child, which stands above the entrance gate. This took place in 1893 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the miracle of 1793. The black statue of Mary with Child once stood above the church entrance, centrally in the facade.
Pilgrimage site
In Verviers, there is a large, black effigy of Mary and Child. Mary here is referred to as the Black Madonna of the Recollects, which was sculpted from sandstone in the 17th century. Mother Mary and her Little Son are crowned. In the chapel, in front of the church, the effigy of Our Lady of the Recollects stands at a height of approximately 4 metres. The statue measures almost 2 metres and was painted black in 1855. The black colour is derived from the smoke from the fire in 1810, the smoke from many candles, and the weather conditions, which have given the effigy a dark complexion.
The panels are adorned with many ex-votos. These are expressions of gratitude and faith in Our Lady.
The pillars of the ship are crowned with capitals. The monumental statues are a design by the Liège sculptor and painter Renier Panhay de Rendeux (1684-1744). The Stations of the Cross date from 1760 and were created by the painter Laurent-Joseph Follet (1738-1788) from Verviers. The altarpiece above the main altar is a creation by Alphonse Verheyen (1903-1990) and depicts the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. The artwork is surrounded by two wooden statues. A beautiful depiction of Mary is the design of the Liège Baroque sculptor Jean Del Court (1627-1707), who is known as the “Liège Bernini”.
Every 7 years on September 18th, the anniversary of the miracle from 1793, festive activities are organised.
ACCESSIBILITY
The church with the Marian chapel is located in the centre of the town of Verviers.
“The Church of Notre-Dame des Récollets is located in the Enclos des Récollets on the corner of Place du Martyr, 4800 Verviers. This is by a roundabout where Rue du Marteau, Pont Saint-Laurent, Place du Martyr and Rue du Gymnase meet.
Experience
During my visit to the chapel, in August 2025, the church is closed; works are taking place in the building.
When I stand before the facade of the church building, I look at the large image of Mary and Child. How much they must have observed here. Everyone who enters the church has been seen by them.
In the chapel, in front of the church, high up in the gallery, I see the effigy of the Black Madonna. This image has been miraculously changed and has given this Marian shrine great fame.
After looking at the gallery, it's with great admiration that I look at the ship. What a beautiful space this is! Very intimate, lots of art, and an atmosphere to be in thought of Our Lady.
After a few prayers to Mary and lighting some more candles for extra light, I'll let the colourful stained-glass windows wash over me. How beautiful it is here!
Next, I pause for a long time at the depiction of Mother Mary with her deceased Son. They are surrounded by many ex-votos, expressing gratitude. This Pietà moves me, as it has so often done in other places.
Then I take my seat and, while sitting, I let the many impressions find space in my thoughts. Here, Ave Marias belong. Thank you, Mary, for letting me come here.
The church with its chapel is beautifully situated right on the River Vesdre. I would like to come back here again.
Environment
A few hundred metres from the Church of Our Lady of the Recollects stands the “Église Saint-Remacle” at Place Saint-Remacle 12. The church was built in the early 19th century. A large image of Mary and Child is situated on the facade.
In the Heusy district, the “Église de l’Immaculée Conception” (Church of the Immaculate Conception) stands on Rue de Jalhay in the Mangombroux neighbourhood of Verviers. The church was consecrated in 1926 and subsequently became the parish church. This church houses several statues of Our Lady.
To go from the pilgrimage site of Banneux to Verviers means travelling 15 km to the northeast.
Leaving the city of Liège and arriving in Verviers means travelling 35 km to the east.
Leaving Maastricht and getting to Verviers requires covering 50 km to the southeast.
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