Despite continous rainPilgrims gather for Echternach's historic Hopping Procession

RTL Today
Despite the rain, thousands of dancers are expected to hop their way to the tomb of St. Willibrordus in Echternach on Tuesday as the annual Hopping Procession, a UNESCO-recognised tradition, unfolds with a day full of religious ceremonies.

Since 2010, Luxembourg’s Hopping Procession has been part of the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. The tradition annually sees thousands of dancers travel to Echternach, where they line up in rows of five to six people, holding the tips of handkerchiefs and hopping in a set pattern up to the tomb of St. Willibrordus.

On Tuesday, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich will kick off proceedings with a speech at 9.15am, and the last of the 36 pilgrim groups are expected to arrive at around 1pm.

Official programme

5.15am: arrival of participants of the Echternach–Route–pilgrimage
5.30am: mass for the participants of the Echternach–Route–pilgrimage
6.45am: communal mass in the crypt

7.30am: welcoming of the pilgrims from Grossprüm and Waxweiler in Echternacherbrück

8am: Pontifical Mass in the basilica

8.30am: lining-up of the procession groups A–I and 1–10

9.15am: speech by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich

9.30am: beginning of the hopping procession and lining up of groups 11–33

1pm: expected end of the procession, followed by a concluding prayer and a mass in the basilica

© Cathol.lu

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