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History of the Episcopal churchThe old part of Luxembourg Cathedral today owes its origins to the former Jesuit College, with which it forms to this day an architectural entity. The Jesuits settled permanently in Luxembourg in 1594 and opened a school in 1603.
The expansion of the cathedral was begun in the years from 1935 to 1938. The last restoration of the interior date from 1977 to 1978. Beautiful stained glass windows by the French artist Louis Barrel illuminate the choir. Plans for the old part were developed by the Jesuit brother Jean Blocq of Tournai, those of the expansion by the Luxembourg architect Hubert Schumacher and influenced by Canon Léon Lommel.
The statue of the Comforter of the Afflicted, placed in the back of the choir, is presented to pilgrims as a clothed statue, according to a tradition practised in Western Christianity since the late Middle Ages. By its rich history traditions reflected in the architecture, the Notre Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg is deeply rooted in the life of the city and the country. As a church of pilgrimage and home of the image of the Comforter of the Afflicted, which for more than 300 years, is the patron saint of Luxembourg, it evokes from a lot of views the history of the Luxembourg people. This story is often held in the Church of Our Lady before the image of the Comforter. In the sense of a religious and national profession the architectural design and artistic prescription visibly express this story and make the Cathedral a place sanctified by tradition. The Octave annual pilgrimage to Our Lady of Luxembourg, Comforter of the Afflicted, is celebrated every year from the 3rd to the 5th Sunday after Easter. |