History
In the year 1008, a contagious plague struck the region. It was an epidemic that claimed many lives. Within days, there were 8,000 victims. The residents of Valenciennes turned to Our Lady, who was revered in the city.
A miracle occurs in 1088. The story… The hermit Bertholin lives near the hamlet of La Fontenelle, situated between Maing and Trith-Saint-Léger, near Valenciennes. In August 1008, Mary appears to the hermit. She commands Bertholin to go to the people of Valenciennes and urge them to action. She tells him that on the night before the feast of Mary’s Nativity on September 8th, the people will experience that She hears their desperate pleas. The inhabitants must then stand on the city walls to witness the miracle. On the agreed-upon evening of September 7th, 1008, about 15,000 people stand on the city walls. Suddenly, the darkness disappears, and Mary appears, surrounded by angels. This happens above the chapel of Neufbourg, which was consecrated to Mary by Charlemagne (c. 747-814), Holy Roman Emperor (800-814). Mary holds a red cord in her hands. An angel places the long cord around the city. After this, Mary and the angels disappear. Immediately, the epidemic recedes, and the sick recover. On September 8th, 1008, the day of Mary’s Nativity, Bertholin returns to Valenciennes. He carries a new message from Mary, namely that each year on September 8th, a procession will follow the route of the cord.
The miracle of 1008 repeats itself during typhus and cholera epidemics in 1813, 1831, 1849, and 1866.
The basilica was built in the Neo-Gothic style between 1852 and 1864. The architect was Charles Alexandre Grigny (1815-1867) from Arras. The first stone was consecrated on 13 September 1852 by René-François Régnier (1794-1881), Archbishop of Cambrai (1850-1881). The building is 69 m long, 27 m high, and the tower reaches 83 m.
On 4 May 1864, the church was consecrated and opened to visitors. On 7 June 1897, the devotional image of Our Lady of the Holy Cord was crowned.
On 10 September 1922, Pius XI, Pope from 1922 to 1939, granted the church the title of basilica. The request for this was made by Jean Arthur Chollet (1862-1952), Archbishop of Cambrai (1913-1952).
In 1996, the basilica was added to the monuments list.
During the millennium of the apparition in 2008, the statue of Mary travelled through France and also visited the pilgrimage site of Lourdes.
Since 2007, major restoration works have been taking place on and in the basilica.
Pilgrimage site
The procession takes place annually on September 8th, the feast day of the Nativity of Mary. Later, this becomes the second Sunday of September. The procession, “Le Tour du Saint-Cordon” (the tour of the Holy Cord) in Valenciennes, during which the miraculous image is carried, is 14 km long. The brotherhood, called “La Confrérie des Royés de Notre-Dame du Saint-Cordon” (the Brotherhood of the Kings of Our Lady of the Holy Cord), guarantees the organisation. In addition, there is a smaller procession for children in the town. The annual festivities are spread over a week.
The statue of Mary was crowned in 1897 and weighs 125 kg. In the procession, the effigy is carried by 6 people.
The statue of Mary shows Our Lady surrounded by angels, and the hermit Bertholin is present, kneeling before Her.
The statue of Mary attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.
ACCESSIBILITY
Valenciennes is located in the north of France, on the border with Belgium. The “Notre-Dame du Saint-Cordon” basilica is situated at Place Abbé Theillier de Poncheville, 59300 Valenciennes.
Current information can be found on www.notredamedusaintcordon.fr.
Experience
The visit to the devotional image is on the programme. However, the image is not in the basilica as it is undergoing restoration. The basilica is closed to visitors. During the years of restoration, the image of Mary is located in the Church of Saint-Géry (Église Saint-Géry) in the Rue de Paris.
Upon entering the church, I see a statue of Mary. It is a special statue of Mary, namely Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. It is dark brown and the seven swords are attached to her right shoulder.
I step further and come to the devotional image, which can tell a long history. I see the angels next to Mary and the hermit Bertholin is kneeling before the Mother of God depicted. For a long time I look at the face of Our Lady. How tenderly beautiful!
In the church, I also see a banner from the annual procession that has been taking place for a long time on the second Sunday of September in Valenciennes.
On a next visit to the shrine of grace in Valenciennes, I hope the basilica will have been restored and will be open again to visitors.
Environment
From Valenciennes to Lille it is 50 km, the distance to Arras is 75 km and to Flemish Kortrijk it is 77 km. The pilgrimage site of Bon-Secours is only 19 km away, just across the border with Belgium.
Posted: 24 August 2023
Last modified: 11 August 2024
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