Each year, on the occasion of the Federal Fast, Father Ludovic Nobel, Superior General of the SMB and leader of the Pèlerinages Bibliques Romands (PBR), guides a group of Swiss pilgrims to a new spiritual destination.
The Federal Day of Thanksgiving, Repentance and Prayer, celebrated on the third Sunday of September, is a day of prayer, thanksgiving, and reflection, rooted in a tradition dating back to the 16th century. Initially observed in Switzerland to seek divine protection from epidemics, wars, and other calamities, it is now a moment of gratitude for blessings received.
This year, the destination was Alsace, a region rich in spirituality, history, and culture. From September 14 to 16, 2024, pilgrims explored this region, visiting sanctuaries, villages, and churches, in an atmosphere of prayer and discovery.
Day 1: Mittelbergheim—One of the Most Beautiful Villages in France
Saturday, September 14, 2024
The pilgrimage began with a guided tour of Mittelbergheim, one of the most beautiful villages in France, located along the famous Alsace Wine Route. This picturesque village, perched on a hillside, is known for its Renaissance buildings with pink sandstone façades. Mittelbergheim has preserved its unique architectural heritage over the centuries. The pilgrims were taken back in time as they walked through its streets, where every house tells the story of the village, founded by the Franks in the 6th century. The village, first mentioned in historical records in 880, was for centuries under the protection of the Haut-Andlau Castle.
Mittelbergheim’s connection to viticulture is ancient, as archives mention vine cultivation as early as the Roman era. The pilgrims learned about the importance of wine in the region through Mittelbergheim’s unique wine chronicle, a register kept since the 15th century, which records the history of the harvests and significant events in the region.
Day 2: Notre-Dame de Bonne-Fontaine and Discovering Sarrebourg
Sunday, September 15, 2024
The day began with Sunday Mass at the Notre-Dame de Bonne-Fontaine sanctuary, located in the commune of Danne-et-Quatre-Vents. This pilgrimage site dates back to the 18th century, when a dysentery epidemic ravaged the garrison of Phalsbourg. According to tradition, sick soldiers discovered a statuette of the Virgin Mary in the trunk of a tree near a miraculous spring. They invoked the Virgin and drank from the water, which healed them. Since then, the Bonne-Fontaine chapel has attracted visitors seeking healing and entrusting their intentions to the Virgin Mary.
After this profound spiritual moment, the group headed to Sarrebourg to visit the Chapel of the Cordeliers, a 13th-century gem famous for its stained glass windows by Marc Chagall. The monumental window, titled The Peace, is a 12-meter-high masterpiece that illuminates the chapel’s choir. The combination of these contemporary works with ancient religious heritage offers visitors a unique experience, blending modern art with Gothic architecture.
In the afternoon, the pilgrims continued their journey to the inclined plane of Saint-Louis-Arzviller, an engineering marvel from 1969. This boat lift, unique in Europe, allows vessels to ascend 44 meters, replacing 17 locks. The pilgrims marveled at this impressive structure, a symbol of human ingenuity.
Day 3: Thann—A Gothic Jewel in the Heart of Alsace
Monday, September 16, 2024
On the final day of the journey, after morning Mass, the pilgrims traveled to Thann, a town located at the start of the Alsace Wine Route, dominated by the ruins of Engelbourg Castle, also known as “The Witch’s Eye”.
Thann is famous for its medieval church, the Collégiale Saint-Thiébaut, a Gothic masterpiece in Alsace. Built between the 14th and 16th centuries, it is one of the most significant religious buildings in the Upper Rhine region. The church is named after Saint Theobald, a bishop of Gubbio in Italy, whose relic, according to local legend, miraculously settled in Thann in the 12th century. The beauty of this church, with its stained glass windows and delicate sculptures, deeply impressed the pilgrims, marking the spiritually and culturally rich end of their journey.
After a guided tour of the town, the pilgrims began their journey back to Switzerland, carrying with them unforgettable memories. Indeed, this pilgrimage to Alsace was much more than just a trip. It allowed the pilgrims to reconnect with their faith through places filled with grace and tradition. Each stop, from Mittelbergheim to Thann, including the sanctuary of Bonne-Fontaine and the Chapel of the Cordeliers, offered a moment of reflection and contemplation on the Christian history of the region.
The beauty of the Alsatian landscapes, the richness of its spiritual and architectural heritage, and the moments shared in community made this pilgrimage a highlight of the year.
We invite you to relive these moments by visiting our photo gallery dedicated to this pilgrimage.
Also, feel free to check out the announcements for upcoming spiritual journeys organized by the Pèlerinages Bibliques Romands and guided by the spirit of Étoile de Bethléem with Fr. Ludovic Nobel. You can also revisit the highlights of our previous faith and culture trips by reading the dedicated articles available on our website.
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