Kevelaer: Revisiting a Pilgrimage Town in Western Germany - The journey of Marian devotees kicks off with a large number of attendees projected.
In Kevelaer, a religious destination along the Lower Rhine, the devout Catholic journey to honor the Virgin Mary begins on a Wednesday (10:00 am). Traditionally, the pilgrims' entrance to the church is opened with three hammer blows. Pilgrims make their way to the Chapel of Grace, home to the image of Mary known as "Comforter of the Afflicted." This pilgrimage has been happening for over 380 years. Kevelaer draws in hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, making it the second most significant pilgrimage site in Germany after Altötting in Bavaria.
Varying in nature, the pilgrimage to Kevelaer provides numerous experiences. One familiar event is the motorcycle pilgrimage, where around 1000 bikers have their vehicles and themselves blessed during the summer months. This is followed by a wild celebration on the square of the chapel. Another annual event is the school pilgrimage, while the tractor pilgrimage and the carnival pilgrimage that takes place in November are commonly attended as well.
For more information, see the pilgrimage page.
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Source: www.stern.de
