EINDHOVEN
History
Eindhoven has a long history involving a statue of Mary. The statue may have originated from the Mariënhage monastery on Kanaalstraat 4, Eindhoven, which later became a hotel. During the Iconoclastic Fury (1566), the statue was thrown into the Dommel river as Protestants destroyed churches and their contents.
History continues… The Woensel watermill stood on the river Dommel, at the site where buildings of the Eindhoven University of Technology would later be constructed. The course of the river was subsequently diverted. The first mention of the mill dates back to 1379. In 1935, the municipality of Eindhoven purchased the mill. It was a national monument, yet it was demolished in 1955.
Around 1840, miller Johan Notten (1811-1901) of the Woensel watermill fished a piece of wood out of the water, after he had dislodged it from the mill's wheel. He intended to burn the found wood later, but his wife Maria Gertruda Deelen (1814-1888) prevented this. She recognised in the piece of wood the contours of a severely weathered statue of Mary with Child. The woman then placed the damaged effigy inside their home. Soon afterwards, the miller fell ill. Subsequently, prayers were offered at the found statue for the man's recovery. After several days of prayer, the miller was healed. Descendants of the miller have passed down the story of the statue, thereby emphasising the significance of the image of Mary.
Research has shown that the heavily damaged oak statue lay in the water for centuries.
In 1934, the statue of Mary was donated by the grandson of miller Johan Otten to the Sint-Antonius Church at Fellenoord 13. The statue was then named Our Lady of Fellenoord. The statue is being restored. The restorer has modelled a new statue around the original wood. Subsequently, the new, double statue was painted in colour. In 1935, the statue was carried in procession to the Mary Chapel of the church. Years later, the church closed and was demolished in 1973. The statue then moved to the Sint-Paulus Church on the Boschdijk. The Sint-Paulus Church was later sold, and the statue then moved to the presbytery of the Sint-Petrus Church. The next location for the statue of Mary was the chapel of the Sint-Petrus Church.
The current chapel of St. Peter's Church was built in 1956 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Father Gerard Johan Suetens' (1892-1977) priestly jubilee. The chapel was renovated in 2015 to make it accessible to visitors when the church is closed. The statue of Mary is known here as Our Lady of Dommelen, because it was once found in the Dommel river.
In 2015, city archaeologist Nico Arts (1954), in collaboration with the company Philips Medical Systems, conducted research into the origin of the original statue of Mary. It appears that the depiction of Mary dates from the 15th century.
In 2017, a 3D scan was made of the statue of Our Lady. This makes it possible to cast small statues of Our Lady, due to interest from parishioners and pilgrims.
Pilgrimage site
In St. Peter's Church, at the front of the church, there is a statue of Mary made around 1950 by Hendrikus (Henri) Jonkers (1877-1963). This statue was initially located in the Chapel of Mary, but it was moved to the church with the arrival of the statue of Maria ter Dommele.
The Marian Chapel of St. Peter's Church offers a meaningful space to be with Mary, to pray to Our Lady and give thanks to Her. People also come here to reflect, to receive support from Mary and to receive comfort from Her. It is a chosen place for contemplation.
The statue of Mary is approximately 1 m high.
The small replicas of the statue of Mary are being sold in the church, which are manufactured in Bosnia due to the relatively low production costs there.
Every day, candles are lit at the statue of Mary, and prayers are recited. The chapel is open daily.
ACCESSIBILITY
St. Peter's Church, where the statue of Maria ter Dommele is located in the Mariakapel (Mary's Chapel), can be found at Kloosterdreef 31, 5623 DB Eindhoven.
For up-to-date information, please consult the website www.petrus-ehv.nl.
Experience
In the Mary Chapel of St. Peter's Church in Woensel, Eindhoven, there is a statue of Mary with a long history. I want to visit that statue, called Maria ter Dommele.
The image of Mary shows great beauty with her Child on her right arm and a sceptre in her left hand. This is therefore the old image in a new representation.
On the wall in the chapel hangs a black-and-white photograph of the original statue. I also read a part of the history of the statue of Mary.
On a stand in the Chapel of Mary lies a book with many intentions. I read words of thanks and wishes. The book also contains words of comfort and support. So much is shared with Mary. I too am writing a thank you to Our Lady.
Next, I go into the church and see more images of Mary. There is also a beautiful banner hanging, and I am impressed by a triptych where Mary is depicted in all her beauty.
It is a beautiful church with a chapel to visit. Before I leave this place of worship, I will make another visit to the chapel and light some candles. I have many intentions for people struggling with their health. Thank you, Mary, for allowing me to come here.
Environment
Near Woensel in Eindhoven, other pilgrimage sites are located within a short distance, such as Elshout, Roermond, and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
The distance to Elshout is less than 50 km, to Roermond it's a little over 50 km and ‘s-Hertogenbosch is barely 35 km away.
Posted: 26 May 2023
Last modified: 24 June 2023
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