Orbe-It was a deeply felt pilgrimage in which several dames and knights of the Swiss Delegation of the Dynastic Orders took part, as well as the Mayor of Orbe, Henri Germond, H.E. the Grand Chancellor, Knight of St. Annunziata, Johannes Theo Niederhauser, the Grand Treasurer, Knight of the Grand Cross Nicholas Gagnebin and H.R.H. Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy, Grand Master of the Dynastic Orders of the Royal House of Savoy.
Organised on the relics of Louise of Savoy in Orbe, in the church of Notre-Dame de Grace, where H.M. King Umberto II laid a part of the remains, the pilgrimage culminated with a Eucharistic celebration for the dames and knights conducted by Abbot Christophe Gode assisted by Abbot Jean-Luc Martin, curate of Orbe. The relics were placed at the foot of the altar during the celebration, which was accompanied by the sound of the organ and by songs sung by four seminarians.
Two interesting lectures were given after the ceremony: one on “Louise of Savoy, history of an exemplary life”, and the other on “Louise of Savoy, pillar and example of spirituality for the Poor Clares”.
Louise of Savoy, born in 1463, was the daughter of Amadeus IX. She married the Prince d’Orange at the age of 17 and was widowed after only 10 years. She then joined the convent of the Poor Clares where she remained until her death in 1503. She was beatified in 1839 under the impulse of King Carlo Alberto of Sardinia, her relics were placed in Nozeroy (France) where she had been buried following the invasion of the village of Vaudd and were later transferred to Turin in the royal chapel 8 along with those of Her father.
The pilgrims later met at a restaurant in Yverdonne for a convivial gathering and were joined by H.R.H. Prince Vittorio Emanuele of Savoy. Finally, the Delegation has decided to organise another pilgrimage next year.
