The Hegge Wonder is a folk legend from Poederlee. In respect of the legend, Hegge festivals are organised every year, the Hegge Game every five years and the Ommegang procession every twenty-five years.
The story
In January 1412, a chalice containing five consecrated hosts was stolen from the church in Wechelderzande. The thief, Jan van Langerstede, lost his way near the 'Hegge' on his return to the inn in Herentals where he was staying.
According to the criminal, this was because of the consecrated hosts. He hid them in a rabbit pipe and found his way back slightly later. At the inn, however, the sheriff was waiting for him and on searching his clothes, the chalice was found. The thief confessed to his crime and said he had hidden five consecrated hosts in an unconsecrated place.
After eight days, the hosts were recovered intact. The thief was executed. His right hand was cut off with an axe and burned, after which the unfortunate fellow was hanged.
Heggekapel (Hegge Chapel)
The Chapel of the Venerable Blessed Sacrament or Heggekapel is the oldest building in the municipality of Lille. It was commissioned by Jan van Vriesele, lord of Poederlee, and built in 1442 so as never to forget the great miracle that took place here.
Processions and Ommegang of the Hegge
Every year on the Sunday after Sacrament Day, a procession to the Heggekapel takes place. Every twenty-five years, the Ommegang of the Hegge procession is held.
The tradition of celebrating the Miracle of the Hegge with a special circumambulation or Ommegang every twenty-five years has existed since 1912. The Ommegang depicts the history of the Miracle of the Hegge.
The 600th anniversary of the Hegge was celebrated on 27 May 2012. About 2,000 extras and collaborators from Poederlee and Greater Lille took part in the historic procession. Tens of thousands of people attended the spectacle. The next Ommegang will be held in 2037.
On 25 June 2011, Flemish minister of culture Joke Schauvliege added the Ommegang of the Hegge to the 'Flanders Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage'.
Hegge NPO
The Hegge Poederlee NPO was founded on 14 January 1986 on the occasion of the 575th anniversary and commemoration of the Hegge Wonder.
