Chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches

The chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches (French: Chapelle Notre-Dame des Marches) is a Roman Catholic chapel and pilgrimage site in the commune of Broc, canton of Fribourg, Switzerland. It was listed as a heritage site of national significance.

Chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches
Native name
French: Chapelle Notre-Dame des Marches
TypeRoman Catholic chapel and shrine
LocationBroc commune, canton of Fribourg, Switzerland
Coordinates46°35′34″N 07°06′06″E
Built1705
Official nameChapelle de Notre-Dame des Marches
Reference no.9946
Location of Chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches in Switzerland
Chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches (Canton of Fribourg)

History

The name Marches derives from the word marais (marsh).[1] The current chapel dates back from 1705. It was founded by friars Jean-Jacques, Nicolas et François Ruffieux, three local churchmen.

The chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches gained popularity in Switzerland thanks to two miraculous healings in the 1880s. In September 1892, a temperance pilgrimage was organised there. The pilgrimage still exists today but is less popular than in the beginning. In 1945, because of the war, the sick people were not able to travel to Lourdes, so the pilgrimage of the sick was organised at Notre-Dame des Marches. In the 1970s, the number of visitors started declining. After large gatherings and special train travels in the previous centuries, the pilgrims of the 21st century usually get to the chapel by tripping individually. However, attendance at religious services is quite high.[2] Every year, the chapel receives two pilgrimages: the one of the sick in May, and the Autumn pilgrimage in September. The pilgrims are welcomed by L’Œuvre des malades, made of 50 volunteers.

Abbot Joseph Bovet composed a chant in Fribourgeois dialect named Nouthra Dona di Maortsè, translated into French as Notre-Dame des Marches.

The chapel of Notre-Dame des Marches was listed among the Cultural Property of National Significance.[3]

See also

References
  1. Rime & Rime 2005, pp. 12.
  2. Etat de Fribourg / Staat Freiburg. "Traditions vivantes fribourgeoises : Pèlerinages à Notre-Dame des Marches - Etat de Fribourg". www.fr.ch (in French). Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  3. "Chapelle de Notre-Dame des Marches". Swiss Inventory of Cultural Property of National and Regional Significance (in French). Federal Office for Civil Protection (FOCP). Retrieved November 10, 2019.

Bibliography
  • Rime, François; Rime, Jacques (2005). Les Marches, le petit Lourdes fribourgeois : histoire d’un lieu sacré (in French). Bulle: Editions gruériennes.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Rime, Jacques (2011). Lieux de pèlerinages en Suisse (in French). Bière: Editions Cabédita. p. 40.
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