Archief

This statue of Mary in the niche is by sculptor Jan Delcourt (1627-1707) of Liege. It is made from Carrara marble. There is an abundance of marble in this church. For the altar alone, 23 different kinds of marble were used, all bought in Rome but coming from Persia and Egypt.

.
... the church of the English convent.

Back to the Carmersstreet and the English convent with its dome, which dominates the area. Notice the wall, to the right, where it says "Annaatje van 't Putje". (Anna of the Well). I will come back to that a bit later.

And the procession is still not here.  Public interest is huge. Everybody is now occupying her or his spot on each side of the street, except for a few latecomers who are still running on the pavement, but, police officers will soon warn them to either go back or stay on the side. Another few minutes of patience and the procession will be passing.

The nuns of the English convent were very welcoming and most pleasant.

"I blow out the light of the moon and only the poppies are giving light"
This is what is written at the entrance to the restored Weavers Court. A hundred years ago, the Weavers Court was still one of those "forts" where more than a hundred poor people lived, packed together in abominably inhuman conditions. Nowadays, less than ten people do live there, ineed in vastly more comfortable circumstances. And, in my opinion, they have inherited the most beautiful of the city's mottoes or proverbs. Well, a good night to all, count poppies rather than sheep and... see you tomorrow.

Yesterday, a very special event took place : the soccer derby between Club Brugge and Cercle Brugge. Well, it is always special. It happens twice every year, at least, for as long as the Cercle succeeds in hanging on to its position in the First National. Yesterday, Club won 2-0 against Cercle and, respecting tradition, the Club's flags are raised and displayed in the days following the event. To the sorrow and spite of the Cercle supporters.

... and here is the Sun.  The small tower in the background sits atop the tiny church of the Begijnhof (convent).

Let's leave the English convent for now and have a look ouside. It's nice to see that Bruges, after the long winter, is finally getting some colours again.

As is shown by this photo, there was considerable interest for the English convent. Notice the organ, at the right, which dates back to 1895 and was a gift to the convent by the family of one of the nuns of that time. Straight in front of us you see the chancel, which is no longer being used. Lay persons are allowed to come to mass here, and are now sharing the ground floor with the nuns. Previously, that is, intul the Vatican II Synod, the nuns had to remain separated from the public. Which they did by sitting in the chancel.