Dadizele Belgium

Basilica of Our Lady in Dadizele. Monumental Neo-Gothic church from 1878 in a steel construction. In the interior, a miraculous statue of Our Lady, venerated since the 14th century.

My first day in Belgium -- well technically my second day as I arrived in Wervik around 7PM the day before and slept way past midnight (must be the jet lag) -- woke up real early because our first itinerary -- hear Sunday mass @ the Basilica of Our Lady of Dadizele.  I was really looking forward for this to thank God for the safe flight, and of course, for this trip in general -- an opportunity to be in Patrick's home town and country and in Europe for that matter to learn more about the place, the people, and the culture.  Geared with a lot anticipation and pumped with adrenalin, we headed off to the first in our list -- Basilica of our Lady of Dadizele.

The Basilica is just amazing! From the entrance where I was greeted with the towering glass windows, to the beautiful antique organ, to the century old paintings, to the gothic-like interior at the back of the altar..Wow! The mass, as expected is in Dutch, (and Patrick is translating it to me once in awhile) but since Catholic mass is just the same format in all churches in the whole world, I can understand at what part of the mass to respond -- and I am answering in English. I even sang the Lord's Prayer in English. :D

After the mass, we went to the garden beside the Basilica called the Rosary Garden.  Here, they have the whole mysteries of the rosary in marble statues surrounding the garden and a big center stage to highlight the garden.  It was really a site to see.  It was a beautiful and memorable experience to say the least..