Have you heard of a place where the Virgin Mary appeared multiple times? This is the Kapel van de Vrouwe van alle Volkeren. It is a Roman Catholic chapel. It is at Diepenbrockstraat 3 in Amsterdam South. It is near the RAI Convention Center. Pilgrims from the Netherlands and abroad visit daily. They pray before the blessed image. They attend Holy Mass here.
The Kapel van de Vrouwe van alle Volkeren has a fascinating history. It involves a Dutch woman named Ida Peerdeman. Ida claimed to have experienced 56 apparitions of the Virgin Mary between 1945 and 1959. The first apparition occurred on March 25 1945. Our Lady appeared to Ida in her home. Ida asked if she was Mary. The figure smiled and said she would be called the Lady or the Mother.
During this first apparition a cross was placed before Ida. She picked it up. It was very heavy. By taking this cross Ida accepted her vocation. She would be the bearer of the messages of Amsterdam. That day the Lady spoke about spreading her prayer.
Many of the 56 messages predicted future events. Some were open. Others were mysterious. Over the years many Amsterdam messages have been fulfilled. They included dangers to mankind. They included the struggle of Christians. They included the unity of the Church. They included the coming of a new era. Precise prophecies announced the Cold War. They announced the fall of the Soviet regime. They announced the fighting around Jerusalem. They announced bacteriological weapons. They announced changes in nature.
On February 11 1951 the Lady revealed herself. She said I am the Lady Mary Mother of All Nations. Six years after the first message Ida received the prayer. She also received the mission to spread it. Our Lady asked Ida to repeat after her. She was to stand before the Cross. The prayer is Lord Jesus Christ Son of the Father send now your Spirit over the earth. Let the Holy Spirit live in the hearts of all nations. May the Lady of All Nations the Blessed Virgin Mary be our advocate. Amen.
The Lady asked Ida to memorize what she saw. A faithful picture could then be made. She said Look at my image and examine it closely. Ida was allowed to feel the contour of her figure. It felt spiritual rather than human.
The Blessed Virgin asked that the Church proclaim a new dogma. This would be Mother Coredemptrix Mediatrix and Advocate. She urged the Church and theologians to engage in this fight.
After a new investigation the Bishop of Haarlem approved public veneration. This was for the Lady of All Nations and her picture. The recognition concerned the apparitions exclusively. It did not guarantee the authenticity of all the messages.
On August 15 1976 the Kapel van de Vrouwe van alle Volkeren was consecrated. The original image had been kept in a provisional chapel. For decades people have come to Mary. She is the Lady and Mother of All Nations. They pray for graces. Many experience deep prayer and peace. They receive consolation and new strength. Conversions healings and answered prayers have been reported.
Visiting the Kapel van de Vrouwe van alle Volkeren today offers a chance to reflect. Consider the messages and prayers associated with this site. It is a place of devotion. It is a testament to faith.