Pilgrimage and Octave Market at Luxembourg Cathedral

Known locally as Oktav, the Octave pilgrimage is the largest religious event in Luxembourg. It takes place every year in Luxembourg City, between the third and fifth Sunday after Easter. The Octave pilgrimage is accompanied by the Octave market, or Maërtchen in Luxembourgish. Celebrated since the 17th century, Oktav now attracts nearly 90,000 pilgrims. Coming from all over the greater region, the faithful come to pay homage to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, patron saint of the country and comforter of the afflicted. In 2025, the Octave celebrated its 400th anniversary. To mark the occasion, a jubilee was organized in Luxembourg, as is the case every 100 years of the Octave.

The origins of the Oktav pilgrimage

When the plague raged in Luxembourg in 1666, believers came to beg a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary, endowed with miraculous powers, to heal the sick. The ancient statue was the object of great religious fervor. Originally erected in the Champ du Glacis(in the Limpertsberg district), it was later moved to the city of Luxembourg. Since then, the statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg has been displayed in Luxembourg Cathedral on a golden pedestal. During the Octave pilgrimage, pilgrims gathered to pay homage to her, say prayers, and ask for blessings. The Octave celebrations began on the third weekend after Easter and lasted for eight days.

The Octave experience in Luxembourg today

Since the 17th century, the Octave pilgrimage or "Oktav" has continued to be followed with great enthusiasm. Originally purely religious, the event has evolved into a traditional gathering, bringing together pilgrims and visitors curious about history and folklore. The Octave period now lasts two weeks in April or May, depending on the date chosen for Easter. During the Octave, pilgrims come from Luxembourg and the entire Greater Region to pray to the Virgin Mary. They gather at Luxembourg Cathedral and take part in various religious ceremonies and processions during the two weeks of the Octave. The atmosphere is one of devotion, unity, and joy. For the occasion, the cathedral is richly decorated. The statue of Saint Mary Consolatrice is dressed in festive clothing. A large procession marks the end of the fortnight of the Octave pilgrimage. Faithful in traditional costumes carry the statue of the Virgin Mary through the streets of Luxembourg City. Religious songs and prayers accompany the procession. The grand ducal family follows the procession, as do the country's political authorities. Afterwards, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg appear on the balcony of the Grand Ducal Palace in the old town to greet the crowd, accompanied by the rest of the grand ducal family.

The Octave Market or "Maërtchen"

Coming from far away, the pilgrims who attended the various religious celebrations of the Octave needed to eat. From the very beginning of the Octave, food stalls in front of the cathedral provided pilgrims with food. These were the beginnings of the Octave Market or "Mäertchen." The Maërtchen is part of Luxembourg's spiritual and cultural heritage. It has become a key element of local traditions. Today, the small food stalls of the traditional Octave pilgrimage are one of the many attractions of the Octave Market. Located on the large Place Guillaume II, also known as "Knuedler," and around Luxembourg Cathedral, the Octave Market attracts not only the faithful but also other visitors. Families living in Luxembourg and beyond take part in the festivities. They can enjoy the food stalls, the fairground rides set up for the occasion on the Place de la Constitution, and the various Octave events. The Octave pilgrimage in Luxembourg therefore combines not only spirituality, but also history and cultural celebrations. But this is not the only event of its kind in Luxembourg. The pilgrimage of Our Lady of Fatima in Wiltz also celebrates Luxembourg's religious values. Similarly, the dancing procession in Echternach , which is unique in its kind, is listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO. Participating in it is a great way to discover the customs and traditions of Luxembourg.