Searching for "Onze Lieve Vrouw van Troost" led to some enlightening history from the region. This had to be translated from Dutch for the most part. First let us learn about the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Vilvoorde. Then, the Good Lord willing, we will learn about the Augustinian friars in the same region.
In the 13th century, beguines settled outside of Vilvoorde. Beguines were lay women who devoted themselves to prayer and good works. They did not make vows to religious orders and were free to leave at any time. The beguine movement was primarily in the Low Countries in the 13-16th centuries. For more information see this page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beguines_and_Beghards
Vilvoorde is 33 miles west of Scherpenheuvel. They are both in a region known as Brabant. A statue of Our Lady of Consolation is given to the beguines in 1247. This statue is seated. The Augustinian statues of Our Lady of Consolation are usually seated. A Carmelite monastery is founded in Vilvoorde in 1469. Today, this is the oldest continually existing group of Carmelite nuns in the world. The Carmelites work at a hospital founded by the beguines at Vilvoorde. The statue of Our Lady of Consolation comes into the hands of the Carmelites. After the Reformation, the monastery is destroyed and the sisters, along with the statue, go into hiding. The current basilica is built in 1663, after the Peace of Westphalia made it safe for the sisters to return. It is a hexagon with a dome. Archbishop Mathias Hovius, the same Archbishop who gave approval to Scherpenheuvel, was a supporter of the beguine movement in the 17th century.
Here is a video with text from their actual historical records. Below the video, in this blog, is a translation of all the text in the video. Notice that in the video there are actually three depictions of Our Lady of Consolation. One is seated. One looks like the statue at Luxembourg. One looks more like the statue at Scherpenheuvel. The statue at Scherpenheuvel shows Jesus and Mary closer together and sharing a mantel. This is important to note. Our Lady of Consolation is a title, not a particular image. This video will demonstrate that. Again, Mary is one person. Our Lady of Consolation is one person who may be represented by different images.
Translation from Belgian YouTube page:
In the middle of the 13th century Sofia, Duchess of Brabant, gave the beguines a statue of the Mother of God.
that she of her Mother; St. Elisabeth of Thuringia, had received, to comfort them
At the handover she spoke: Dearly beloved children, take this image of the Blessed Virgin
Mary will comfort you when you will be in sorrow. When the desolation will overtake you, flee to this image
Thou shalt find refreshment in it which I, mortal creature, cannot give you.
If you will then have need to defend yourself or to lift yourself up in your suffering, do not forget this image.
But only go to Mary with the same love and trust, and you will be convinced that I have given up a hidden treasure.
Even though I have found you with her enlightenment in my difficulties, comfort in my sadness. Mary will show you her great goodness.
At once, numerous believers received miraculous favors from Mary.
Visitors were comforted and strengthened.
The result was that the place of mercy was visited from far and wide.
One minute into video.
In the fifteenth century Johannes Soreth founded Carmelite monasteries, including that of Vilvoorde in 1469.
The sisters have at their disposal the hospital and the chapel of the beguinage of Steevoort.
Immediately the statue of Our Lady of Consolation comes into their hands.
The sisters make every effort to restore the worship of the miraculous image, the godliness for this of very slackened.
New favors and benefits of Mary have resulted in...
that Our Lady of Consolation will once again become a well-visited place of pilgrimage.
May it stay that way...
-texts from the history of Our Lady of Consolation
old sisters choir
entrance to the Consolation Basilica (inscription reads "need seeks comfort")*
De Troost is the praying "heart" of the City of Vilvoorde.
Blessed Solemnity of Our Lady of Consolation! May she speak for your best. May she protect your loved ones and bring you closer to Jesus.
*My addition, not in the video text. The same words are found at the bottom of the picture at one minute into the video.
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