The Virgin Mary is depicted numerous times in our Cathedral. The sculpture that takes centre stage in the altar of this chapel is undoubtedly the most beloved. Every day people come here to light a candle in silence. They entrust their joy and sorrow to Mary, whom they love as a mother. Every year, the Antwerpians celebrate her extensively on her feast day, 15 August. That is also the motivation behind Mother’s Day - all mothers can share in the grateful celebration. On the eve of this major celebration this statue is carried in procession through the Cathedral, even outside around the Cathedral. This shows us how beloved Mary really is in our city, even in these secular times.
Chapel of Our Lady
“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -
And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -
I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.
Chapel of Our Lady
As is the case with the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament on the other side of the Cathedral, the care for this chapel is entrusted to a group of people belonging to a centuriesold association. During services, these ladies and gentlemen chapel carers wear a black cloak known as “a tabard”, a long cloak with low-hanging open sleeves. The only way to join this fraternity is to be invited to do so by one of the chapel carers. Their main task is to personify the devotion that goes with their chapel.
Chapel of Our Lady
This is a place where, for hundreds of years, people have come to share their worries and sorrow, joy and gratitude with Mary, the mother of Jesus. They light a candle or bring flowers. They pray a Hail Mary - the most common prayer to Mary - or simply remain silent. If every prayer were a flame that burns forever in the space where it was pronounced how many lights would be floating around in this space? The prayer of a mother worried about her children, the prayer of a poor man at his wits’ end. The prayer of a young man who has just become a father for the first time or a prayer offered by a stranger who doesn’t know anyone in the city. Across the centuries, all these prayers must have sounded very similar.
