Wandelingen in de Belgische Ardennen

La chapelle Notre-Dame du Bon Secours

During the first half of the 17th century, life was not good in our region: war and disease ravaged many villages. Faced with these scourges, the inhabitants of Oizy implored the Virgin Mary by placing a statue of the Madonna in an oak tree. The statue was said to have been a gift from Archduchess Isabella, granddaughter of Charles V.The local people built a wooden oratory on the spot where they had placed the statue. It was not until 27 years later that a permanent chapel was built. Probably due to a lack of funds, it would be another 15 years before the chapel had a roof.Inside, the shrine containing the famous statue of Notre-Dame that led to the construction of the chapel can be seen enthroned on the altar.You may also notice a representation of three little boys high up on the altar. This ex-voto (an offering made in thanksgiving for a divine favour obtained) recalls a story that took place at the time of the French Revolution. Stillborn triplets were brought here and miraculously returned to life to be baptised.