The centuries-old pilgrimage from Sint-Kwinten to Basse-Wavre that dates back to 1653 and is still very much alive was held this year on Saturday 3 May. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we did not depart from Sint-Kwinten’s Church but rather from Sint-Pieter’s Church in the heart of Leuven. From Jubilee Church to Jubilee Church as pilgrims of hope on the way with Mary. The new partnership between the Montfort Fathers (Fr. Ghislain, Fr. Aimé, Fr. Trésor, Fr. Jos), the Leuven aan de Dijle pastoral zone, and the Grez-Nethen pastoral unit gave this pilgrimage a different and deeper meaning.
About sixty pilgrims started walking from Leuven. They had come from all over: Brussels, Oplinter, Kessel-Lo, Wilsele, Wijgmaal, Sint-Joris-Weert, Blanden… Even pilgrims from Nethen and Grez-Doiceau joined those starting in Leuven, not to mention the pilgrims from all the continents, young and old, seasoned and occasional walkers. Through woods and fields, divided into smaller groups, and accompanied by a Montfort priest, pilgrims prayed, sang, chatted. Along the way a few more pilgrims joined, and new friends were made.
Arriving in Nethen, we were warmly greeted by our friends from the Grez-Doiceau area. First, we listened to a reflection on the theme: “On the way with the Virgin Mary, model of hope for believers.” Then we were offered a delicious lunch prepared by the mother and sister of Guy Vermeylen. Each pilgrim received a richly filled bag. It was as if Jesus had said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (John 6:10). Meanwhile, the cyclists had departed at 10:45 from Sint-Pieter’s Church. They arrived in Nethen when we had already left.
Around noon, we resumed our pilgrimage, now accompanied by our sisters, brothers, and the preparatory team from Grez-Doiceau, accompanied by their priests: Jean-Pierre Mukendi, Jean-Claude Kolela, Gabriel Banyangira, Bruno Ilunga, Jan Tokarski, Krzysztof Rajewicz and Guillaume Mabiala. The groups were redistributed somewhat so that we could continue to pray in this beautiful Walloon nature with its forests, meadows, and fields. There was also the opportunity to receive the sacrament of reconciliation or just chat with each other. Then the rain came, just like last year. With courage and in good spirits, but wet, we continued to walk; sometimes it was a bit slippery in the mud.
We arrived in Basse-Wavre around 15:00 accompanied by ringing bells and singing the Magnificat anima mea Dominum. We were welcomed by Fr. Jos, who had arrived earlier with his cyclists, by everyone who had come by car, and by Fr. Juan Carlos, the appointed priest of our pastoral zone. As every year, it was a moving moment to meet again Fr. Blaise Mbongo, rector of the shrine, Fr. Jean-Baptiste Pina, and our contact person, Jacqueline Poysat (always ready to do any good work).
We celebrated the Eucharist in French, English and Dutch, with Fr. Ghislain as our presider and the many priests present in a well-filled basilica with beautiful congregational singing. At the end of the celebration, Father Juan Carlos offered a bouquet of flowers to Our Lady of Peace and Unity in the name of the faithful of Leuven and Grez-Doiceau. A small gesture asking her to pray with us for our world, so divided by large and small conflicts, and for our future pope, that he may be a pope after God’s heart.
After the celebration, we were welcomed with Walloon hospitality, with coffee and an abundance of savory and sweet cakes. Thanks to Jacqueline and her team of volunteers!
