At least 20,000 pilgrims were present at the Banneux Shrine on 15 August, according to an estimate by the sanctuary's press officer Fabian Delarbre on Tuesday evening.
After two editions marked by the Coronavirus pandemic and a drought-ridden summer last year, the shrine was finally able to celebrate Assumption under normal conditions.
“Everything went smoothly, and the day ended with a very beautiful torchlight procession outside, with lots of people too,” Delarbre said. “it was a lovely, very pleasant day and a real pleasure to see all the pilgrims again after the Covid period. There were lots of families and we felt a lot of fervour.”
At least 20,000 people visited the shrine on Tuesday, and around 3,000 attended the international mass presided over by Bishop Jean-Pierre Delville of Liège.
This year, the shrine also celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Chapel of the Apparitions, begun in May 1933 and completed by 15 August of the same year. Next year, the site will celebrate another anniversary: 75 years since the apparitions were recognised by the Church.
Aside from Banneux, Belgium has other popular Marian devotional sites, such as Beauraing in the province of Namur and Montaigu-Zichem in Flemish Brabant.
