The Sanctuary of Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood in Heiloo is the largest Marian place of pilgrimage in the Netherlands. The history of the sanctuary dates back to the end of the fourteenth century. During the Reformation, in 1573, the chapel was destroyed, and the source filled up with debris from the chapel. In 1713, during the cattle plague, the water in the source welled up forcefully from under the rubble. History has it that the animals that drunk from the water survived the cattle plague. The Sanctuary of Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood is especially dedicated to Mary.

The Sanctuary Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood is served by several priests who fulfil a variety of tasks and functions. The priests celebrate Holy Mass, are available for daily confession and also participate in providing catechesis, guided tours around the sanctuary and the guesthouse (former Juliana Monastery) and other tasks at the sanctuary. The rector, J. de Wit, has final responsibility for the sanctuary as well as for the seminary. In the Bedevaartkapel (Chapel of Pilgrimage) one can go to confession daily from 14.00-15.30pm. At those times there is always a priest available, for the Sacrament of Penance or simply to talk. Most of the time, this will be one of the priests mentioned above, sometimes another priest will fill in.

The Sisters that live and work at the Sanctuary Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood are sisters of the Institute Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matará. This mission congregation, founded in 1988 in Argentina, has been operational in the Netherlands since 2004 and since 2006 in Heiloo as well. At the sanctuary the sisters are active in several fields: catechesis for adults, teenagers and children, receiving groups from parishes and schools, (assisting with) the organisation of retreats and family days, taking care of the sacristies of both chapels, and of course their prayers. The sisters have devoted their lives to God through the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Also, they are dedicated to Mary. For more information, please visit ssvmne.org.

Volunteers are the driving force in the Sanctuary and help in a variety of ways in the sanctuary. Cleaning, maintenance, gardening, working in the gift store & coffee shop The Oesdom, pouring coffee, opening and closing our buildings and gates, etc. Many volunteers commit themselves and naturally deserve great appreciation. Would you like to work as a volunteer at the sanctuary? Please contact father J. de Wit.

The circle of friends ‘Friends of the Chapel’ consists of people who support the Sanctuary Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood and who also like to aid the sanctuary financially. Three times a year Friends of the Chapel receive updates and information on the welfare of the sanctuary and every first Wednesday of the month, Holy Mass is read for the living and deceased members of the circle of friends. The contributions made by the Circle of Friends are used for maintenance and renewal projects.

Would you like to sign up as a Friend: please contact our office at +31 (0)72-5051288 or send an email to info@olvternood.nl. You can also sign up by transferring a gift to IBAN NL25INGB0000672168. Please mention Friend of Chapel along with your payment.

The sanctuary does not receive any subsidies for its activities or the maintenance of chapels and park. The proceeds of collections and other revenues are not enough to cover the costs of maintenance, renovation and improvements. Therefore the sanctuary depends on donations, gifts and legacies. The sanctuary is a religious institute. Donating to religious institutes offers tax benefits. Also applicable to donations and legacies to the sanctuary is that you are exempt from gift tax and inheritance tax. On the donation page, we have put together, in short, the most important possibilities for donations and legacies to the sanctuary, so that you can see which form applies to you best. When you have questions, we kindly request that you contact our office.

The St. Willibrord Seminary belongs to the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam. The seminary has the specific aim of the formation of priests. It offers a formation to men who want to be ordained (transient) deacon and priest. The seminary is located in the Juliana Monastery at the Sanctuary. At the seminary seminarians of the diocese Haarlem-Amsterdam and of Redemptoris Mater study side by side to become priests in our diocese. If you would like to receive more information, please contact father J. de Wit.

The Sanctuary of Onze Lieve Vrouw ter Nood in Heiloo is the largest Marian place of pilgrimage in the Netherlands. The history of the sanctuary dates back to the end of the fourteenth century. During those times, a farmer found a statue of Mary on his land. He took it home, but it returned to the place of finding miraculously. Around the same time, a ship got into trouble at sea off the coast of Heiloo. In his need, the captain prayed to God. Over the roaring sea and the raging winds he heard a clear woman’s voice that said: “If you honour me, the winds will change.” The captain recognised the voice of the Mother of God and promised to devote himself to her worship. Once the ship had landed safely, the two stories came together and so the place of the Chapel of Mercy had been found.

In the forecourt of the Chapel of Mercy is the Mary Source with wholesome water, with which miracles have happened. During the Reformation, in 1573, the chapel was destroyed, and the source filled up with debris from the chapel. In 1713, during the cattle plague, the water in the source welled up forcefully from under the rubble. History has it that the animals that drunk from the water survived the cattle plague.