Did you know that Méchelskierch (Saint Michael's Church) on Marché-aux-Poissons is one of the oldest churches in the City?
Or that you prayed to Saint Roch, the namesake of the parish church of Insenborn, to keep the Plague and cholera away?
These are the sort of things you could learn at the weekend of Open Churches.
Similarly, in Boudler, there is a chapel containing an altar with 14 helpers, saints who are supposed to aid those who come to them with physical, spiritual and moral problems.
Those who know Alain Atten are aware that he doesn't get excited about just anything. The little chapel in Boudler, near Wecker, has something to offer. For instance, an altar with 14 carved heads. Originally, the lord of the castle had requested that it should be placed in Biwer, but it now resides in Boudler. Here the explanation of how the altar came to be.
Many had the idea to go see the altar of the helpers in Boudler. These saints are said to have healing powers.
The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, explained Claude Bach, dean of the parish Musel a Syr. Back then, people called on different saints when they suffered from physical and spiritual ailments. Unlike us today, they didn't have different medical professionals, so they asked the saints for help. As a result, someone then compiled a catalogue of 14 saints.
The saints are well-chosen. One of them, Saint Dionysius, doesn't have a direct link to the Greek god Dionysus, but maybe he might anyway: the fact that he holds his head in his hands suggests that he might help with headaches or against the guilt when you've gotten up to mischief. A link to the Greek god of winemaking doesn't seem all too far-fetched.
Saint Giles (Ägidius), Saint Cyriacus, Saint Catherine and Saint Pantaleon are others who can help those in need. Those who would like to learn more about them should come to mass, which is held once a month on a Sunday at 9.00 am.
If you want to know what Sunday that is, you can find the relevant information on cathol.lu or by calling the office of the parish Musel a Syr.
