A stille omgang (silent "procession" or circambulation) is an informal ritual as substitute for the Roman Catholic processions that were prohibited after the Reformation in the Netherlands in the 16th century. The biggest and best known is the "Stille Omgang" of Amsterdam, which is still performed every year in March. The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Amsterdam Location Country The Netherlands Province North Holland Population 739,295 (1 January 2005) Coordinates 4°54E - 52°22N Website www. ... March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. ...

This procession commemorates the Miracle of the Host of 12 March 1345, a miracle which involved a dying man vomiting upon being given the Holy Sacrament and last rites. The Host was then out in the fire, but miraculously remained intact and could be retrieved from the fire in one piece without the heat burning the hand of the person that retrieved it. This miracle was officially recognised as such by the Roman Catholic Church, and a large pilgrimage chapel ("Heilige Stede" = Holy Site) was built where the house had stood. March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (72nd in Leap years). ... Events Miracle of the Host Births October 31 - King Fernando I of Portugal (died 1383) Agnès of Valois, daughter of John II of France (died 1349) Eleanor Maltravers, English noblewoman (died 1405) Deaths April 14 - Richard Aungerville, English writer and bishop (born 1287) September 16 - John IV, Duke of... According to many religions, a miracle, derived from the old Latin word miraculum meaning something wonderful, is a striking interposition of divine intervention by God in the universe by which the operations of the ordinary course of Nature are overruled, suspended, or modified. ... The practice of the Roman Catholic Church includes seven sacraments. ... The Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and some Protestant churches. ...

The Stille Omgang fell out of practice at the beginning of the 19th century, but was revived in 1881. About 8000 Catholics, and also some non-Catholics, from all over the Netherlands take part in it, after first having joined a mass in one of Amsterdam's churches. The procession always occurs on the night of Saturday on Sunday following 12 March. Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1881 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Saturday is considered either the sixth or the seventh day of the week, between Friday and Sunday. ... Sunday is considered either the first or the seventh day of the week, between Saturday and Monday, and the second day of the weekend in some cultures. ... March 12 is the 71st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (72nd in Leap years). ...

External links

Stille omgang website (in Dutch)

History Amsterdam Miracle/Stille Omgang (in Dutch)