New-York tribune., 1902-05-11

three by three They all disheveIled breathl.s.
dripping with perspiraton. yet excited buoyed ~,
by the prospect of indulgence from their saint .rs
so they go on for mile through the town OF Ech
ternach knocking up against each other in the n.-
row streets. spreading in the wider ones ,ns
at last going up the steps OF the church soma 40
them on their knees. and all the while the n,vs,
keeps on without single let up encouraging ths-r
when tired
Some. however giving up from sheer exhaus,,o,
are at times tramped under foot BY the exctsaS
throng that surrounds them on all sides AZ Las.
all that can squeeze in get into the old churcb
where the relics of St Willibrord are kent son,.
of his bones. his hairclOth garment and his dal
matte and even there in the church the danetnz
and singing become more boisterous still ThAra
they wind their way under the ancient arches
ornamented with banners. throwing pieces AZ
money into basket. and at last as their sunr.r,a
consolation and hope for the coming year thav
were allowed to touch with their fingers the relic
casket OF the saint. Then the pilgrimage ends
with snort sermon and mass held before a
rustic cross
The Echternach church is built on the summit q,
a very steep mound. its old walls almost hidden
BY linden trees, in the midst OF which Is a stona
crucihx. where the pilgrims assemble BY parisbs.
after the service in the church is over and receIA
the benediction Of the vicar. How worn how AZ,
tenuated. how utterly exhausted they look as they
ME out OF church. and in many cases throw them
& serves into little heaps on the shady ground and
IaIl fast asleep before the vicar pronounce the
IdSI words or the DenedlcttOn!
There are many deCrept. Corpuent feehla o-
lazy pilgrims. unable or unwilling undertake the
violent exercise, who apply to little street arabs
who for a mark do the whole mile with tbsfs
strong limbs and lusty voices.
After this strangest and most uncannv of dav. "a
over the sound Of those skipping. hopping restless
ieet stil sounds in the ears the scene stil passes
before the eyes. and IL Is only out OF Compassion
for those simple minded people OF the country that
one refrains from expressing the real impression
made by such a scene on the mind OF the en-
Hghtened spectator.
Willibrord born in the kingdom OF North
um bria In 6SS He labOred for in Ireland ana
then went across the water devote himself 10
the conversion Of the natives OF Friesand He
arrived at Utrecht in $50. shortly after Pepn had
gained his victory over the Frisians Pepin re-
ceived him cordially. After having established the
bS2 whence he returned and continued his labors
until 6S5. when he again visited Rome and received
the pallium OF an archbishop. Fixing his see az
Utrecht he converted a large number OF the IN
habitants. and extended his missionary colonies
rom that centre as far the Danish provinces
and his work. after many alterations. ended in
the successful establishment of Christianity. Will
brord died IN I3S at the monastery at Echternach
which he founded.
The legend OF the saint relates how some time in
the Middle Ages the peasants went 10 his grave
pray Tor the cessation OF a plague among their
cattle. The plague ceased mraculouslv but the
superstition still fingers among the people that un-
less this hopping rite Is performed annually before
believe this TO be true and show their sincerity by
the earnestnesS with which they sing 'fefIizsri
Heiliger Willibrord Heilger Willibrord. bite far
unS!'