Our Lady of Klausen

Marian vocation of Klausen (Rhineland-Palatinate)

La advocación de Nuestra Señora de Klausen (Eberhardsklausen) se vincula al village of Klausen, in the Federal State of Reninaniaxindoin the diocese of Tréveris, in West Germany, in the Mosela River basin. In the German-speaking field it is known as Our Lady of Klausen or similar, and the place is pointed out in local literature as important Marian pilgrimage center since the 15th century. However, in the main databases and synthesis on Marian shrines in Spanish consulted (which do collect in detail other large German shrines, such as Altötting or Kevelaer), does not contain a developed historical narrative or a precise chronology from the origins of the pilgrimage of Klausen.

Main data

Origin and history

La advocación de Nuestra Señora de Klausen (Eberhardsklausen) se vincula al village of Klausen, in the Federal State of Reninaniaxindoin the diocese of Tréveris, in West Germany, in the Mosela River basin. In the German-speaking field it is known as Our Lady of Klausen or similar, and the place is pointed out in local literature as important Marian pilgrimage center since the 15th century. However, in the main databases and synthesis on Marian shrines in Spanish consulted (which do collect in detail other large German shrines, such as Altötting or Kevelaer), does not contain a developed historical narrative or a precise chronology from the origins of the pilgrimage of Klausen.

From the perspective of the documented history, se puede afirmar con seguridad que: – Klausen se sitúa en el entorno cultural y eclesial de Treveris (Sort), una de las diócesis más antiguas de Alemania, donde los santuarios marianos han florecido especialmente a partir de la Baja Edad Media. – La devoción mariana en la región está sólidamente atestiguada en diversos lugares (Altötting, Kevelaer, Schoenstatt, etc.), en un contexto en el que los fieles acuden a capillas e iglesias de peregrinación para venerar imágenes de la Virgen asociadas a gracias especiales.

However, not included in the sources consulted (en español) una descripción precisa de: – la fecha de fundación de la iglesia de peregrinación de Klausen, – el documento eclesiástico que confirme el inicio oficial de la peregrinación, – ni el relato histórico concreto que explique el surgimiento de la advocación (milagro fundacional, voto, aparición o hallazgo de imagen).

As for the local tradition or legendit is common - by analogy with other German sanctuaries of the same epoch - that popular memory links the origin of devotion to a or to the intervention of a priest, hermit or laic pious who would have raised the first chapel in honor of the Virgin, with an image considered miraculous. However, for Klausen does not contain in a verifiable way, in the sources here accessible, a specific legend with names and dates, so no tradition is reproduced to avoid attributing to this advocation accounts of other sanctuaries.

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The image and the sanctuary

Sources in English and Spanish available on Our Lady of Klausen are extremely limited and do not provide a clear description of the headline image. Unlike other well-documented German shrines (for example, the Black Virgin of Altötting, described as a medieval image of dark wood over time), no consta for Klausen, with safety:

– el material de la imagen (madera, piedra, talla policromada, icono pintado, etc.), – el iconographic type (Madonna entronizada con el Niño, Virgen de pie, Virgen de la Misericordia, etc.), – la stylistic dating of the size or painting.

By analogy with other German Marian shrines of the same time, it is likely that this is a image of the Virgin with the Child Jesus, of a tardomedieval or Renaissance style, venerated in a main altar or in a specific chapel of the pilgrimage church; but, since this data is not documented in the consulted sources, it must be stated: does not contain a documented iconographic description of the image of Our Lady of Klausen.

As regards sanctuary:

– Se trata de la Klausen pilgrimage church, identificada como el principal santuario mariano de la zona de Tréveris, en Renania‑Palatinado (Alemania). – Forma parte del conjunto de santuarios marianos alemanes que, aunque no cuentan con un “santuario nacional” oficialmente reconocido, sí desempeñan un papel relevante en el ámbito regional, como ocurre con otros centros de peregrinación mencionados en los estudios sobre Alemania (Altötting en Baviera, Kevelaer en Renania, Schoenstatt, etc.).

It is not found in the accessible sources that the church of Klausen has the title of minor basilica or that it is recognized as National sanctuary; it can be considered, with available data, as a diocesan / regional pilgrimage sanctuary or churchbut does not contain a specific pontifical title (basilica, national sanctuary) that can be strictly assured.

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Sponsorship and coronation

In the online documentation consulted on Marian patterns of Germany - which does mention, for example, the role of Altötting in Bavaria or Kevelaer in Rhineland-Westphalia - there is no explicit reference to an official patronage of Our Lady of Klausen on:

– el municipio de Klausen, – la diócesis de Tréveris, – ni una proclamación de patronazgo más amplio (regional o nacional).

It is reasonable to think that the Virgin venerated in Klausen enjoys a de facto patronage on the people and their environment, especially as the main Marian sanctuary of the region of Tréverisbut in terms of formal canonical recognition, it should be indicated: does not contain a canonically proclaimed and documented patronage in accessible sources.

On the canonical coronationwhile other relevant German shrines have recognized coronations or other pontifical honors (for example, the Golden Rose granted to Altötting by Benedict XVI in 2008), in the case of Klausen:

– no consta in the sources consulted (sanctuary, diocese, general Marian synthesis, Wikipedia in Spanish or other languages) any reference to a canonical coronation of the image of Our Lady of Klausen.

Therefore, following the express indication:

> does not contain a documented canonical coronation.

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Party and devotion

Specific information on the fiesta litúrgica principal of Our Lady of Klausen No collection in the Marian repertories in Spanish consulted, which do detail the dates of other German shrines (for example, the pilgrimages to Altötting or Kevelaer). No clearly documented date has been found that can be safely cited, whether linked to a particular local memory or to a universal Marian solemnity (such as the Nativity of Mary, the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption). Therefore: the date of Our Lady of Klausen's main feast is not documented.

As for the devotion and pilgrimagesGerman Marian tradition shows that pilgrimage shrines are often characterized by:

– celebraciones con gran afluencia de fieles en determinadas festividades marianas, – procesiones, misas de peregrinos, confesiones y bendiciones, – exvotos y agradecimientos por favores recibidos, custodiados en los recintos de los santuarios.

It is reasonable to assume that the pilgrimage church of Klausen follows a similar scheme, such as the main Marian sanctuary of the region of Tréveriswith pilgrimages especially in the Marian months (May, October) and at some party of their own; however, no flow figures, no detailed descriptions of specific popular traditionsand so no specific data are recorded to avoid incurring conjectures.

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Link to the Rosary

The sources consulted do not mention a specific relationship between Our