Army, Police Give Garment to Our Lady of Luxembourg

May 18, 2026 | Luxembourg Culture, Luxembourg News | 0 comments

Marc Schoentgen with 1624 statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg wearing the new garment from the Luxembourg army and police.

During this year’s Oktav, the statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg received the gift of a special new garment created on behalf of Luxembourg’s army and police. Funded by a donor, the garment was premiered during the annual Oktav Mass for the country’s army and police celebrated on April 29.

The statue of Our Lady of Luxembourg (Maria, Mater Jesu, Consolatrix Afflictorum – Mary, mother of Jesus, Consoler of the Afflicted) located in the cathedral in Luxembourg City dates to 1624. In 1666, Our Lady was named the patroness of Luxembourg City and in 1678, she was named the patroness of the Duchy of Luxembourg. The statue and devotion to Our Lady of Luxembourg were a major part of the spirituality of our immigrant ancestors. Each year they made their way on pilgrimage to the cathedral to pray before the statue during the two-week annual Oktav of Our Lady of Luxembourg. This tradition continues to this day.

The statue of the Consolatrix has numerous garments gifted to her over the centuries—some in gratitude for miracles worked through her intercession, others to commemorate significant anniversaries of Luxembourg or the devotion to her.

The garment gifted by the army and police displays the bold orange and blue colors of Luxembourg’s grand ducal dynasty, the House of Orange-Nassau. Embroidered on the garment is the cross of the priest chaplain of the army and police. To the left of it is a half cloak symbolizing St. Martin, patron of the army. To the right is a half wing symbolizing St. Michael the Archangel, patron of the police. In addition, the garment for the Christ child bears the “double GG” monogram of Grand Duke Guillaume. On the garment worn by the Consolatrix is an inner pocket with an inscription about the origin of the garment.

The initiative for this beautiful garment came from Luxembourg Legacy’s dear friend, police officer and Commissaire in Chief Marc Schoentgen, who is also a noted photographer in Luxembourg. Marc conceived the idea during the creation of his 2025 book entitled “1766 – The Votive Altar,” which showcases his photography of the 1766 votive altar erected in the cathedral each year for the statue during the two-week Oktav. The seamstress who created the garment was Liane Flammang, based on a concept by the artist Andrée Pauwels.

Luxembourg’s army and police attended the April 27 Mass at the cathedral, praying for the continued protection of Our Lady of Luxembourg as they serve and protect the Grand Duchy. The new garment for the statue is a powerful symbol of her protection over them.

DID YOU KNOW?
When speaking about the current Grand Duke and Grand Duchess you do not normally use their first names? When referring to the current royal couple Guillaume and Stéphanie you should say the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess because they are the reigning monarchs.

But when referring to the retired Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, you should say Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa. This is the proper protocol in Luxembourg.