The Leenderkapel

Sagas and legends are omnipresent in South Limburg folk culture. While you may doubt their veracity, they are often too good to leave out. This is no different as far as the Leenderkapel in Schaesberg is concerned. The robust Mariakapelletje, built of yellow sandstone chunks, stands on top of a hill overlooking the centuries-old Hoeve Leenhof and the remains of Schaesberg Castle. One of the castle inhabitants, Count Johann Frederik of Schaesberg (1598-1671), is said to have built the chapel as a token of gratitude to Mary after a safe return from a battle. At first, pacing through his castle, he can't think of a way to thank Mary. One night, after fatigue has overpowered him, he dreams that it is snowing heavily outside. The whole of Schaesberg is covered under a thick blanket of snow, except for a small spot on top of the nearby hill. The next morning, against all expectations, the landscape is actually white with snow. Stunned but determined, the count immediately makes his way to the hill. When he reaches the top, he sees that not a single flake of snow has fallen on a small patch of soil. Then he is sure that his mysterious dream is a sign from above, which instructs him to build a chapel here in honor of Mary.

The story of the count's dream seems fable rather than fact. What is certain is that he built or at least rebuilt the Leender chapel. This is evident from the façade stone on which his family coat of arms and that of his wife Ferdinanda van Wachtendonck (1608-1644) can be seen under one crown. Above this alliance coat of arms is the text 'FLOS/CARMELI/VIRGO PUERPERA/ORA PRO/NOBIS', which literally means 'Flower of Carmel, virgin in distress prays for us'. The plaque may have been placed in honor of their marriage in 1623. It is known that the count went on a pilgrimage to Mount Carmel at that time. It is also possible that ten to twenty years later the count made the chapel a monument to their Marian worship, whether or not in memory of his wife. Between 1633 and 1639, the couple repeatedly visited the Marian sanctuary of Scherpenheuvel and in 1644 Ferdinanda went to Kevelaer, a pilgrimage that proved fatal.

In the course of the 17th century, a rich Marian devotion flourished. According to ancient tales, the legendary goat riders use the chapel to secretly hold their nightly gatherings. With the arrival of the French at the end of the 18th century, Marian devotion died out. This remained the case until the middle of the 19th century. Around 1847, the Schaesberg chaplain P.J. Römkens had the Leenderkapel restored. There will also be a new statue of Mary, altar, a communion bench and other necessities. With the introduction of the meilof, Römkens breathes new life into the veneration of Mary. Since then, the chapel attracts extra visitors in the month of May. Every year since 1856, for decades, a real student pilgrimage has been made from boarding school Rolduc to the Leenderkapel. Today, the Leenderkapel, or ''t Leenderkapelke' as the elderly of days affectionately call it, is still a very beautiful piece of Landgraaf to relax in the green.

Tourist Board South Limburg (Visit Zuid-Limburg)