A Medieval Chapel in Leuven
The St. Anthony’s Chapel (Sint-Antoniuskapel) is one of Leuven’s medieval chapels. While modest in size, it became an important place of pilgrimage in the 19th century, when it was dedicated to St. Joseph.
The Crypt of Father Damien
Since 1936, the chapel has held the mortal remains of Father Damien (Pater Damiaan), the Belgian missionary known worldwide for his work with leprosy patients on Molokai, Hawaii. His crypt draws visitors from across the globe who come to pay their respects.
Exhibition of Damien’s Life
Inside the chapel, visitors can follow Damien’s journey through photo panels depicting key moments:
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His missionary vocation
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His dedication to serving leprosy patients
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His death in 1889
Legacy and Canonization
Father Damien was beatified in 1995, named the “Greatest Belgian of All Time” in 2005, and canonized in Rome on October 11, 2009. Today, St. Anthony’s Chapel remains a spiritual and cultural landmark in Leuven, deeply tied to his legacy.
(Source: https://www.visitleuven.be/en/saint-anthonys-chapel), photo by Aslı Tezcan
