Three sisters from Brustem in a corner of the Kempen region

What is today called a Chapel of Our Lady was originally and for decades a place of pilgrimage dedicated to the Three Sisters of Brustem. People came here for the 'Brustem's disease' or 'the weakness', which was a partial or a total debilitation. If a novena did not help here, one had to go on pilgrimage to the cradle of the saints themselves, namely to St. Bertilia in Brustem, St. Genoveva in Zepperen or St. Eutropia in Rijkel . For decades, Tremelo has made an annual pilgrimage to these municipalities.

The chapel was founded around 1860 by Norbert De Meyer, at a crossroads of five roads. As long as the sacrament procession went out, the sacrament was venerated at this chapel. In addition, the trumpeter played the 'Te Velde'.

We know that the chapel was used for something other than pious activities because around the Second World War the hedge around the chapel was removed. The village shepherd had noticed that this place was frequented by the local youths during ball evenings.

Jan Rymenams