At 4:00 PM on Saturday afternoon, one of the highlights of the Octave was celebrated as the nearly 400-year-old miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary was ceremoniously carried to the Cathedral’s altar.
The theme guiding this year’s Octave is “to serve.” “Having a church dedicated to serving people is very important,” emphasised Cardinal and Archbishop of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Hollerich, ahead of mass. He stressed the importance of a church that doesn’t dictate but rather stands ready to serve the needs of individuals.
Deacons and their wives should adhere to this principle as well. Indeed, this year, there are 12 deacons and the spouse of one who are all serving as preachers during the Octave. “The unique advantage is that we all have diverse life experiences - most of us are married with families of our own,” highlighted Frank Strock, one of the preachers. Unlike pastors, deacons live in residential neighborhoods where they engage with a wide array of individuals, offering a distinct perspective; they don’t necessarily have to reside in or be close to the church they serve.
These celebrations dedicated to the Virgin Mary have been a longstanding tradition in the Grand Duchy. According to Strock: “Our Lady of Consolation holds a significant place in our Luxembourgish heritage.” These moments also serve as a vital component in defining the identity of the Luxembourgish people and nation.
Following the Reformation and the subsequent rise of Protestantism, efforts were made to reinforce the Catholic faith within the population. Today, we witness an acknowledgment of shared values across religious doctrines. As part of this year’s Octave, the President of the French Protestant Church will also hold a gathering at the Trinity Church of Luxembourg (Protestant Church). Ultimately, the Christian communities share close bonds. “We must revitalise our churches through the Gospel,” said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich.
The Catholic Church wants to reinvent itself. The ongoing Synod of the Catholic Church seeks to confront the pressing challenges of our time. Even though the Synod may be smaller in scale compared to previous years, the Synod emphasises the importance of collaboration with individuals of diverse beliefs, religious or otherwise, in the pursuit of a fairer and more equitable world.
The Octave market (“Mäertchen”) has changed quite a lot too over the years. Where once pilgrims came to congregate spiritually, now many people come for entertainment. However, this is nothing new. Many fairground workers have been present at the Octave market for many years. “My grandfather arrived from Canada to Luxembourg in 1947, and I believe he has been attending the Octave ever since,” remarked one of the fairground workers selling sweets. While the market was once expansive, it has now diminished in size. Many fairground workers express a preference for working on Knuedler (Place Guillaume II) instead.
“It’s a family tradition for us. My parents have been at the Octave market for over 40 years now, and I’ve been coming for 20 years myself,” shared another fairground worker, selling kitchen utensils. Of course, what you could buy at the market has changed too. In the past, you could find many Christian items, but now there are only 2 to 3 vendors offering such items. But that’s just supply and demand, reflecting current dynamics.
The Mäertchen at the Gëlle Fra statue, Constitution Square, is open every day from 11 am to 10 pm.
