Via Monastica renewed: pilgrimage past abbeys in Belgium

Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain have been on the rise for many years. Belgium has seven so-called Via pilgrimage routes that lead to the pilgrimage site. “From west to east, these are the Via Yprensis, Via Brugensis, Via Scaldea, Via Tenera, Via Brabantica, Via Monastica and Via Limburgica,” says Hugo Frederix, responsible for the Pilgrim Paths working group at the Flemish Compostela Society. ‘An eighth will soon be added with the Via Lovaniensis.’

Slow roads

When creating a Via, the society first looks for a historical pilgrimage route. ‘This determines the basic route of the Via,’ Hugo explains. ‘We then give the process a current interpretation. By using the hiking junction network, among other things, the pilgrimage routes run safely over slow roads without making unnecessary detours. We also direct the route past cultural-historical sights and include spiritual benchmarks.’

The Via Monastica, one of the most appealing Vias, has just been given a new look. ‘It takes its name from monastic places along the pilgrimage route, such as the Premonstratensian abbeys of Postel, Tongerlo, Averbode and Leffe. Moreover, the former abbey of Floreffe is located a few kilometers from the pilgrimage route, the castle of Hélécine was also once a Norbetine abbey and there used to be an abbey in Boneffe.’

For Hugo, the Via Monastica is perhaps the most beautiful pilgrimage route in our country.

‘You walk through nature reserves interspersed with monastic places that exude a rich history and tranquility. The villages you pass through are pleasant and the cities of Diest, Tienen, Zoutleeuw, Namur and Dinant are very pleasant. The walk through the Kempen, the Hageland, Haspengouw and Wallonia brings a unique mix of nature and culture.’

Backpack

The Flemish Compostela Society has been around for forty years and has three thousand families as members and almost 4,300 individual members. ‘The unique thing about our volunteer organization is that we attract people from all walks of life. Without distinction of disposition. When you just lift a backpack over your shoulder and set off, it makes little difference where you come from or what your background is. Our main mission is to help individual candidate pilgrims to embark on the pilgrimage to Compostela.

We ensure that you can make a high-quality tour.

That is why our logo states: For a better tour. On our website, prospective pilgrims will find extensive information about the preparation of the journey and possible pilgrimage routes.’

Walking-plus

The approximately three thousand Belgians who travel to Compostela every year decide for themselves what a pilgrimage is. ‘You could call it walking-plus or cycling-plus. Each pilgrim fills in the plus himself. For some it is a purely sporting challenge. Others want to put everything in order for themselves, look back or forward after study or retirement. Or just find out what is really important in their lives. Still others want to strengthen friendships, have cultural-historical interests, simply want to enjoy the landscape and nature or have spiritual-religious motives.’

• More information at www.compostelagenootschap.be