Our Lady of Hanswijk

Marian devotion of Malines (Antwerp)

According to the traditionthe devotion to Our Lady of Hanswijk goes back to a Marian image linked to the district or area of Hanswijk, on the outskirts of the historic city of Malinas, where a focus of pilgrimages and special protection on the city would have developed soon; the veneration is attested from the Middle age. Some devotional sources point out that the image would have enjoyed a reputation for protection in times of danger for the city and its inhabitants, which gave rise to processions of begging and thanksgiving.

Main data

Origin and history

According to the traditionthe devotion to Our Lady of Hanswijk goes back to a Marian image linked to the district or area of Hanswijk, on the outskirts of the historic city of Malinas, where a focus of pilgrimages and special protection on the city would have developed soon; the veneration is attested from the Middle age. Some devotional sources point out that the image would have enjoyed a reputation for protection in times of danger for the city and its inhabitants, which gave rise to processions of begging and thanksgiving.

As for the documented historythe Hanswijk procession He has been walking the streets of Malinas for more than 700 years, which places its origins at least in the 14th century. This Marian procession, one of the oldest in Belgium, is traditionally held Sunday before Ascension, although some recent local sources place it around the solemnity of Ascension (next Sunday), according to the annual organization. The pilgrimage church dedicated to Our Lady of Hanswijk was built in Baroque style in the 17th century: the present basilica was completed in 1681, the work of the Malaysian architect Lucas Faydherbe.

Over time, the temple was enriched with an important artistic heritage (altarpieces, furniture and liturgical textiles) and was consolidated as a reference Marian sanctuary in the city and in the Flanders region. He later received the title of basilica, which recognizes its spiritual importance and its role as a center of pilgrimage.

The image and the sanctuary

The image of Our Lady of Hanswijk is a sculpture of round, sedent and popular flamenco style with Baroque features. The current statue measures approximately 1.45 m high and is carved in walnut wood. The Virgin is represented as Mother and Queenwith the Child Jesus in his arms; the curled braids of the Virgin fall on the back and partially ahead of the shoulders, a characteristic feature highlighted in devotional descriptions. The image is usually covered in rich garments and crowns, according to the tradition of the Central European Marian shrines.

The sanctuary is the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk (Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk), a baroque church of pilgrimage of the 17th century located in the district of Hanswijk, Malinas. The building has an original floor, with three ships arranged around a central structure with dome, which creates a very unitary space around the place where the image is venerated. The basilica, finished in 1681, houses a remarkable set of sacred art and, because of its character as a pilgrimage church, stands out within the religious heritage of Flanders. It is officially recognized as minor basilica, which underlines its relevance in the liturgical and Marian life of the diocese of Malinas- Brussels.

Sponsorship and coronation

Our Lady of Hanswijk is venerated as patron and protector of the city of Malinasespecially in its dimension of intercession in times of danger and necessity, as expressed by the historical processions and the begging of the population. The advocation also has a marked regional character, attracting pilgrims from other areas of Flanders and Belgium.

As for the canonical coronation, the sources consulted confirm that the image was crowned in the 19th century. Local tradition and historical reviews place this coronation in 1876but the accessible documentation does not clearly contain, in easily verifiable official sources, the specific canonical act (bull, pontifical delegate, detailed ceremony). Since the indication of the year and the Pontiff / delegate is required only if it is safe, and the coronation decree is not explicitly stated in the direct sources consulted, it is strictly stated: does not contain a documented canonical coronation in accessible sources.

(The mention of “crowned in 1876” belongs to the devotional tradition and unofficial syntheses; no detailed documentary confirmation of the canonical act has been found in the ordinary sources that can be consulted).

Party and devotion

La main party of Our Lady of Hanswijk is celebrated liturgical and popularly around the Ascension of the Lord. The traditional Hanswijk procession the streets of Malinas for more than 700 years, the Sunday before Ascension Dayaccording to the tourist and cultural presentation of the city. Other devotional sources place it on the Sunday near Ascension, always maintaining the close link between the solemnity of the glorified Lord and the intercession of the Virgin for the city.

The procession is one of the most important religious and cultural events in Malinas: it includes the participation of parishes, cofradies, associations and authorities, and combines elements of popular piety, historical representations and testimonies of faith. Throughout the year, the Hanswijk Basilica receives pilgrimages from Belgium and from abroad, and the image is especially invoked as a protector of the city and refuge in personal and family difficulties. Devotion is expressed in the burning of candles, votive offerings and participation in the Marian liturgy of the basilica, as well as in the preservation of a rich heritage of liturgical textiles and clothing for the image.

Link to the Rosary

In the specific sources on the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk and on the procession is not documented a particular or exclusive link with the Rosary prayer (for example, as an official sanctuary of the Rosary or the seat of world-known historical co-fradies of this devotion). However, as an active Marian sanctuary, the Rosary is an ordinary part of the daily Marian pietyThe pilgrims often pray the Rosary before the image and encourage this prayer in the framework of the usual pastoral initiatives of a Marian basilica.

From a marine perspective, the Rosary It allows us to contemplate, along with Mary, the mysteries of Christ's life, something very close to the historical and christocentric character of Hanswijk's devotion, which has been expressed for centuries through the procession, the liturgy and the memory grateful for the protection received. Thus, even if there is no specific formal association, the prayer of the Rosary in Hanswijk is understood as a privileged way to to unite the history of salvation in the mysteries with the concrete history of the city of Malinas and its faithfulto come to Our Lady of Hanswijk as Mother and protector.