Vendeville: A Sanctuary Town at the Gates of Lille
Just a few kilometers from Lille, the Mélantois region stretches out in vast fertile plains. Here, time gently flows by as you wander along marshland footbridges or stroll through museum galleries. You can confide your worries to Saint Rita in the sanctuary town of Vendeville. Are you ready for a cultural, spiritual, and gastronomic getaway in Northern France?
A stopover in Flanders
While exploring France’s sanctuary towns, I've discovered breathtaking landscapes and inspiring saints. The most recent, Saint Anthony of Padua, welcomed me to his sanctuary in Brive-la-Gaillarde. In Corrèze, gastronomy, charming villages, and nature are well worth a visit. My new destination is at the other end of the country, in the Hauts-de-France region. I'm heading to Vendeville, where a miraculous statue of Saint Rita awaits me.
On May 22nd, Saint Rita's feast day—the saint of desperate causes—marks the conclusion of a nine-day novena with the traditional "Blessing of the Roses." For nine days, the sanctuary welcomes numerous pilgrims. It is within the invigorating energy of spring that I set out to immerse myself in the unique history of this small town in Romanesque Flanders and its protective figure.
A few kilometers from my destination, signs indicate proximity to Belgium and the Lille metropolitan area. Along the way, I passed vast open fields characteristic of the region, revealing picturesque villages with red-brick houses and church steeples rising above. My first stop is at the Hospice Comtesse in central Lille, offering an introduction to the region's history and its Flemish architecture.
Pilgrimage to Vendeville: The Story of Devotion to Saint Rita
With its flamboyant brick facade, the Sanctuary of Saint Rita reflects the architectural traditions of northern France. Its regular flow of visitors brings life to the heart of Vendeville. Nearby, the expansive natural area known as "Les Périseaux" offers a restorative stroll between orchards and ponds. Inside Saint-Eubert Church, the walls covered in countless votive offerings testify to the depth of devotion to Saint Rita. Witnessing the profound contemplation of the faithful makes me want to join them.
I learn that Margherita Lotti, born in Italy in 1381, was married against her wishes. Despite the tragic deaths of her husband and two children, her faith remained unwavering. Eventually, she joined the Augustinian convent and dedicated her life to helping the most vulnerable. Revered worldwide as the patron saint of impossible causes, her statue, gifted to the parish in 1928, draws the faithful to Vendeville. Since 1930, when a relic arrived from Cascia, where the Italian saint rests, the sanctuary in Vendeville has welcomed about 120,000 pilgrims annually.
On May 22nd, I am warmly welcomed not only by locals but also by pilgrims who've traveled great distances to have their roses blessed. In Saint-Eubert Church, roses in hand, they hope for healing, the success of a project, or offer thanks for blessings received. Moved by this wave of gentleness and communion, I cast a hopeful gaze toward the small statue of Saint Rita, illuminated softly by candlelight.
A Journey Between Spirituality and Urban Vibes
After the celebration, I continue my exploration of the Mélantois region. In Seclin, the carillon of the Saint-Piat Collegiate Church, with its 42 bells, greets me with the famous "P’tit Quinquin," an iconic folk song emblematic of “Ch’ti” culture. In the crypt beneath the church, I discover the legend of Saint Piat, the cephalophore martyr from the 3rd century. The day concludes amidst the melodic energy of Old Lille. In a traditional estaminet, I order a Flemish beef stew (carbonnade flamande) and a sugar pie. As dusk falls, I linger in front of the contemporary facade of Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral, which appears to be ablaze with light.
The next morning, standing atop Lille’s 104-meter-high Belfry, I resolve to return in September to experience the excitement of the famous Lille Braderie. During that trip, I'll also immerse myself in the fascinating history of Roubaix’s Art Deco swimming pool, which has been converted into a remarkable art museum thanks to the perseverance of a dedicated few. Perhaps Saint Rita, patron saint of desperate causes and the impossible, is secretly behind this success. From my visit to the Sanctuary of Saint Rita in Vendeville, I carry with me a newfound confidante, who whispers in my prayers to never stop hoping.
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