Beguinage, Saint Catharine’s Church

Oriented cruciform church with a Late Gothic sanctuary (mid 16th century) and a neo-Gothic naveThe rear part of the church which is reserved for the congregation. The nave extends to the transept. (about 1830) by architect Pierre Bourla. Particular historicizing stained-glass window representing St Begga, her fatherPriest who is a member of a religious order. Peppin I the Elder and her sister, St Gertrude of Nivelles. Also stained-glass window by Frans Pluys (19th cent.). Pulpit, sacramentIn Christianity, this is a sacred act in which God comes to man. Sacraments mark important moments in human life. In the Catholic Church, there are seven sacraments: baptism, confession, Eucharist, confirmation, anointing of the sick, marriage and ordination. altarThe altar is the central piece of furniture used in the Eucharist. Originally, an altar used to be a sacrificial table. This fits in with the theological view that Jesus sacrificed himself, through his death on the cross, to redeem mankind, as symbolically depicted in the painting “The Adoration of the Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. In modern times the altar is often described as “the table of the Lord”. Here the altar refers to the table at which Jesus and his disciples were seated at the institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper. Just as Jesus and his disciples did then, the priest and the faithful gather around this table with bread and wine., retablePainted and/or carved back wall of an altar placed against a wall or pillar. Below the retable there is sometimes a predella. and 14 stations of the Cross by A. De Boeck en J.B. Van Wint (1890). Precious painting by Adam Van Noort: ‘The mockery of Christ’ (about 1600). Beautiful marble communionThe consumption of consecrated bread and wine. Usually this is limited to eating the consecrated host. rails.

The church is part of the enlisted beguinageWalled area, originally on the outskirts of a city, with a church and houses that served as residences for beguines..