Basilica & Willibrord - Willibrordus Basilika Echternach

Secret Echternach – Basilika

European Heritage Label: Echternach Saint Willibrord Heritage

Basilica and Echternach from the Sky

From Carlow to Frisia: St Willibrord and Rath Melsigi | Treasure Ireland

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WILLIBRORD

658 - 739

658

Willibrord was born in 658 in Northumbria. The young noble was educated as an Oblate at the monastery of Ripon by Abbot Wilfrid, Bishop of York and defender of Roman traditions as apposed to insular particularism.

688

At the age of 20, Willibrord left for Ireland to place himself under the authority of Abbot Egbert at Rathmelsigi (Clonmelsh, today County Carlow). He received priestly ordination there in 688.

690

Impregnated with the taste of the "peregrinatio", the mystical current advocating the renunciation of one's earthly homeland in order to go and preach the Gospel to the pagan populations, Willibrord made his way to the continent in 690 with 11 companions to evangelize the Frisians, among others.

695

In 695 Willibrord went to Rome where he was consecrated bishop by Pope Sergius I, who gave him the Latin name of Clemens. He received the pallium, symbol of the pastoral charge of metropolitan archbishops. Willibrord was appointed Archbishop of the Frisians and established his see in Utrecht.

Missionary

Willibrord worked in close collaboration with the mayor of the Merovingian palace and placed himself under the authority of the Pope in Rome. It was important to him to create a well-structured church based above all on indigenous forces. Willibrord sook the support of secular rulers, which was to become a characteristic aspect of his missionary work.

698 - Foundation of the abbey

In 698 Irmina of Oeren (Trier) donated to Willibrord a property in Echternach, a donation supplemented by that of Pepin II and his wife Plectrude. Willibrord founded an abbey there which would become the starting point for his missionary journeys among the Frisians, in Flanders, in the Rhineland, in Thuringia and even in Denmark.

He suffered many setbacks until Charles Martel submitted Radbod, king of the Frisians, a fierce opponent of Christianization.

In 719 Willibrord was joined by Winfrid, better known as Boniface. The latter stayed with him for 3 years before leaving to proclaim the Gospel in Germany.

IN DEI NOMINE FELICITER

At the time of celebrating his 70th birthday, Willibrord inscribed in the margin of his calendar the main stages of his missionary life before concluding with the formula: 'In Dei nomine feliciter', a reflection of his absolute trust in God.

739

Willibrord died at the Abbey of Echternach on 7 November, 739. According to his wishes, he was buried there in the church he had built. Soon after his death Willibrord was venerated as a saint.

Hagiography

The most important sources on the life of St Willibrord are the "Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum" by Beda Venerabilis (638-735) and the accounts written by Alcuin (735-804) around 797 and by Abbot Thiofrid (1081- 1110) three centuries later. These texts, partly legendary, spread the reputation of the saint in the churches and monasteries of Cisalpine Europe.

The veneration

The so-called Saint Willibrord fountains mark out the missionary's route and testify to his baptismal activity. Very early on they are considered by the faithful as a remedy against certain nervous diseases, especially those affecting children. Many German, Belgian, and Dutch churches retain the patronage of the saint.

Papal visit 1985

On May 16, 1985, during his pastoral visit to Luxembourg, Pope John Paul II visited the tomb of Saint Willibrord. Afterwards, there will be an encounter with the Luxembourg youth in the abbey courtyard.

Rathmelsigi - Carlow

During the seventh and eighth centuries the archaeological site of Rath Melsigi, County Carlow, is the most important Anglo-Saxon ecclesiastical settlement in Ireland. It was here that Willibrord and many other Englishmen were trained for the continental mission.

In 690 Willibrord led a successful mission from Carlow, made up of Irishmen and Englishmen. Willibrord established an important scriptorium in his Monastery of Echternach, and for a considerable period the Abbey produced many of the bibles, psalms and prayer books that are to be found today in the great libraries of Europe. It is likely that the first generation of these scribes were from County Carlow or had trained here.

In 2019 the restored early medieval Cross of Rath Melsigi is inaugurated in the presence of a delegation from Echternach, led by Mayor Yves Wengler.

The Carlow Connection

In June 2017 a joint ecumenical diocesan pilgrimage of nearly sixty people travels from Carlow to Echternach to partake the Dancing Procession.

Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, receives a Relic of St Willibrord, presented by the Archbishop of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Hollerich, to honor the historical link.

In late June 2017, twenty-nine visitors came from Echternach to County Carlow to participate on the Walk with Willibrord, where the Relic was walked from St Laserian’s Cathedral (Church of Ireland/ Anglican), to the Cathedral of the Assumption (Roman Catholic).

Carlow Connection

St Willibrord and His Carlow Connection (2017)

The Relic of St Willibrord

Rath Melsigi Cross Restored and Friendship Agreement Signed

Media

Willibrord – Literatur

Image Gallery

03.12.2023

Discovering the stories of Willibrord

European Heritage Label: Echternach Saint Willibrord Heritage

Dancing Procession

Pentecost Tuesday

Every year on Pentecost Tuesday, the Dancing Procession is celebrated with fervor and attracts thousands of participants and as many spectators, as well as some forty musical ensembles. It is a question of honoring the memory of Saint Willibrord, a saint of European stature, often called the Apostle of BENELUX or the Apostle of Europe.

The origins

Already in the 11th century, Abbot Thiofrid mentions a massive influx of pilgrims. It is only at the end of the 15th century that the "dancing saints" are mentioned, i.e. those faithful who have committed themselves by a vow to participate in the procession by dancing. At the end of a pilgrimage which lasts several days, they hop through the streets of Echternach according to the principle "Like is healed by like". This is how they try to cure or prevent diseases such as epilepsy, chorea or ergotism. It cannot be said with certainty whether these are medieval dances or whether pre-Christian worship elements have blended into the "dancing procession".

Map of the Dancing Procession

World Heritage

On November 16, 2010, UNESCO inscribed the Dancing Procession on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural World Heritage.

Pilgrimage

History of the cult

Very soon after the saint’s death, more and more pilgrims visited the tomb of St Willibrord. The so-called Saint Willibrord fountains, which mark out the missionary’s route, are considered by the faithful to be sacred places. Hagiographies spread the legend of the saint in the churches and monasteries of Cisalpine Europe. Many churches bear his name.

Intercessor with God

Willibrord is invoked as a protector against nervous disorders, epilepsy and childhood illnesses. Today, the saint is invoked in all situations of modern man’s distress: e.g. healing from an illness, foresight in the face of important decisions, firmness in questions of faith, strength and support in facing vicissitudes of life.

Apostle of Europe

Willibrord, a great European missionary, preached the word of God to many nations. He found his strength and assurance in his faith in Jesus Christ. His example encourages us to welcome God’s good news as a source of joy and peace for Europe today.

Every Monday: Pilgrimage Mass

Every Monday at 9 a.m., the Holy Eucharist is celebrated at the saint’s tomb for pilgrims, the archbishopric and the universal Church.

The Octave in honor of St Willibrord

The Octave in honor of St Willibrord (around November 7) is a week of pilgrimage and various celebrations. The faithful of the various deaneries of the archbishopric travel to Echternach to honor the secondary patron of Luxembourg and to visit his tomb in the crypt of the Basilica.

November 7: Feast of Saint Willibrord

On November 7 the Church commemorates St Willibrord. In Echternach the feast of the patron saint is celebrated with great solemnity.

Pilgrimage groups

The Basilica, as the burial place of its holy founder, is an important place of pilgrimage.

Church services tailored to parishes and individual groups are possible. Please contact the parish office.

Media

26.05.2023

Litanei Hl. Willibrord

Gebetsnovene zum Hl. Willibrord

26.05.2023

Link

22.11.2023

Predigten Willibrordusoktave 2023 – Claude Bache

Mass Solemnity of St. Willibrord 13.11.2022

19.11.2022

Predigt Weihbischof Leo Wagener 13.11.2022

20.11.2022

Predigten Willibrordusoktave 2022 – Josiane Mirkes

21.11.2022