Oude heiligen, moderne pelgrims. Het bedevaartsoord Heiloo als modern ritueel-liturgisch podium

Abstract

The design of this contribution is to investigate the existence of modern elements in relation to the traditional Dutch Marian place of pilgrimage, the shrine of Our Lady ‘ter Nood’ in Heiloo (North-Holland, the Netherlands). The hypothesis that Heiloo as a regional pilgrimage centre is entering a new phase of development and as such can be considered a ritual podium for modern ritual repertoire will be applied here. A particular undertone is formed by the more specific suggestion: the modern pilgrim represents the modern worshipper, and Heiloo the modern ritual-liturgical setting. Contrary to being some sort of unchanging traditional devotional preserve, Heiloo has taken up an advanced, trend setting position where the contours of future ritual liturgical developments are becoming evident. The proposed objective will be sought via insights, themes and perspectives from modern Ritual Studies. The work of Ronald Grimes, as a prominent representative of that, particularly liturgical studies-orientated Ritual Studies, will form an important point of reference here.