Dancing Procession of Echternach - The Procession

The Procession

The event begins in the morning at the bridge over the River Sauer, with a sermon delivered by the parish priest (formerly by the abbot of the monastery). "Willibrordus-Brauverein" officials put together the procession, forming several dozen alternating groups of musicians (/bands) and pilgrims. The procession then moves through the town streets towards the basilica, a distance of about 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi). While the musicians (/the bands in the procession) play the "Sprangprozessioùn" tune - a traditional melody, not entirely unlike an Irish jig or reel, that has been handed down through the centuries- the pilgrims, in rows of four or five abreast and holding the ends of white handkerchiefs, "dance" or "jump" from left to right and thus slowly move forward. Seen the numbers of pilgrims attending, it is well after midday before the last of the dancers has reached the church. A large number of priests, nuns and monks also accompany the procession, and not infrequently there are several bishops as well. On arrival at the church, the dance is continued past the tomb of Saint Willibrord, which stands in the crypt beneath the high altar. Litanies and prayers in the Saint's honour are recited, and the whole event concludes with a benediction of the sacrament.

In the past, the dancing procession has adopted other forms. At one stage the pilgrims would take 3 steps forward and 2 steps backwards thus taking five steps in order to advance one, at another stage the pilgrims would repeatedly stop at the sound of the bell donated by Emperor Maximilian, falling to their knees before moving forward a few more steps. At yet another time, pilgrims would crawl under a stone, facing the cross of St. Willibrord. A 'cattle-bell dance' used to take place in front of the cross, which was erected on the marketplace; this dance was prohibited in 1664.