Chapel of Allerheiligen in Diest - Discover this open and welcoming religious building

Chapel | 1854 | Neoclassical | Catholic Church

Disabled access Parking space Pilgrimage site

Map

Opening hours

01 July - 31 August
Mon -
Tue -
Wed -
Thu -
Fri -
Sat 14.00 - 17.00
Sun 14.00 - 17.00

01 November - 03 November
Mon 9.00 - 17.00
Tue 9.00 - 17.00
Wed 9.00 - 17.00
Thu 9.00 - 17.00
Fri 9.00 - 17.00
Sat 9.00 - 17.00
Sun 9.00 - 17.00

04 November - 09 November
Mon 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Tue 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Wed 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Thu 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Fri 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Sat 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00
Sun 8.00 - 12.00 • 13.00 - 17.00

10 November - 30 November
Mon -
Tue -
Wed 9.00 - 12.00
Thu -
Fri -
Sat -
Sun -

Guided tour

+32 13 35 32 74

Religious offices

Kerknet

Description

The Chapel of All Saints (1854) is a former pilgrimage destination. Pilgrims came from afar to pray to Saint Roch, Saint Anthony, Saint Apollina, Saint Leonard and many other saints.

Even today, the 1st of November is not a day for the annual market; no, above all it is a day of pilgrimage which still brings out a great crowd for a celebration of thanksgiving. In the last few years the chapel has been enriched by dozens of statues of various saints. Numerous thanksgiving plaques are offered here as a sign of gratitude.

Before 1830, the chapel was located on a hill. But it had to give up its place to a military citadel.

The new chapel was rebuilt near the centre of the city. The architect was inspired by the first Christian churches of the Near East. From there came the unique vault in the shape of a dome, of which the inhabitants of Diest are very proud.

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Photos

Remarkable elements

Rood screen

The rood screen comes from the original chapel and is composed out of three parts. On the left is a cartouche, with a representation of Mary Magdalene surrounded by the instruments of passion, and a chronogram dating back to 1764. In the middle is Jesus on the Cross on top of a globe. A snake that bites into an apple, a skull and cherub’s heads surround the globe. Underneath this scene is a trophy with the instruments of passion and a chronogram dating back to 1761. The right panel depicts apostle Peter surrounded by his attributes (keys and a rooster) and a chronogram dating back to 1764.

Portico altar

The oak main altar was also transferred from the original chapel on top of the Kluisberg. Above the portico altar stands an early 19th century crucifix with two vases. A statue of Our Lady stands in the middle. There is a representation of the Lamentation of Jesus by angels and Our Lady (19th century) on the antependium. This canvas is a reverse copy of a work of art by Van Dyck.

Murals

Two murals can be admired on the left and right side of the altar. The scene on the left depicts Saint Lawrence of Rome. The grid reminds of his martyrdom. Saint Cecilia of Rome, patron saint of music, is depicted on the right side. These murals were discovered underneath the plasterwork during recent restoration works. It was decided to reveal them completely. The dome above the altar used to have several paintings with dozens of cherub’s heads. If the pilgrims couldn’t find a saint in the chapel who could cure their illnesses, they knelt at the communion and looked up devoutly hoping that the angels above their head would be able to help them.

Statues of saints

Originally there used to be statues of all the so-called ‘healing saints’ in the chapel. About thirty of these statues (17th and 18th century) are kept in the treasury of the Saint Sulpitius’ chapel. Each statue had an offertory box, except Saint Rita since she was called on against poverty. The chapel also houses other saints since 2002. The statues were purchased or believers brought them from Lourdes, Banneux, Compostella, … All saints that are called on in Belgium have now been housed in the All Saints Chapel. The chapel has about 150 statues. One pedestal is always left open.

Votive offerings

Pilgrims offered votive offerings in a large copper bowl that stood on a wooden table in front of the choir during the pilgrim’s procession on All Saints. They are primitive representations of body parts, animals, a house… By offering votive offerings the pilgrims hoped to implore a favour from the saints or it was a way to say thank you to the saints for obtaining a favour. The wax votive offerings used to be sold by old ladies, reciting peculiar rhymes, at tables in the narrow street leading to the chapel. Payments in kind were also quite common, such as chickens, butter, rabbits, and even horses that were repurchased afterwards by the owners. The wax votive offerings are still for sale in the chapel.

The pilgrim’s procession

The traditional pilgrim’s procession to the All Saints Chapel takes place on November 1 on the All Saints Hill in Diest. This ancient folk tradition has a deep-rooted religious angle. The pilgrim’s procession still attracts hundreds of pilgrims at present. In front of the choir stands a bowl where wax votive offerings can be offered. Depending on their promise, the pilgrims do a ‘big tour’ or a ‘small tour’. The ‘small tour’ is comprised of three rounds of prayer while squeezing through around the table with the wax votive offerings and kissing the wooden reliquary with every passing. The ‘big tour’ takes place outside of the chapel. A very expressive statue of the dead Christ (15th century) stands in a niche and has to be greeted in silence. This is followed with prayer to the ‘responsible’ saint and by inserting alms in the corresponding offertory box.

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