Solemn presentation of the Eurode Peace Prize during traditional vigil: Honor guard of the Peace Chapel is honored

On Thursday, September 25, 2025 7 p.m., a peace vigil will take place in the Peace Chapel in Kerkrade, sister city of Herzogenrath, under the motto "Peace - Freedom - Tolerance," organized by the Orange Society Kerkrade. During this meeting, the Eurode Peace Prize will also be awarded. This year the prize goes to the Honor Guard of the Peace Chapel. 

Since the end of World War II, daily prayers for peace have been held at the Peace Chapel on the Hoofdstraat in Kerkrade. Currently, the honor guard has about 140 members, who have ensured that prayers have been offered continuously for 80 years, six days a week, five hours a day.

Program

Mayor of Kerkrade, Dr. Petra Dassen-Housen, and Mayor of Herzogenrath, Dr. Benjamin Fadavian, pronounce the laudatio. In addition, Hans Schillings makes a speech on behalf of the Kerkrade Orange Association. The Kerkrade poet Wim Heijmans will recite a poem and the closing speech will be given by Dean Stef Nevelstein. The Chevremonts Male Voice Choir 1912 and singer Lysanne Adomeit will provide the musical accompaniment.

"The Peace Chapel is a unique sign of gratitude and hope. The exterior wall reads 'That we remain worthy of freedom,' and inside on the back wall, 'Dona nobis pacem' - 'Give us peace.' These words, 80 years after the end of World War II, are unfortunately still extremely relevant. The presentation of the Eurode Peace Prize and the peace vigil in Kerkrade therefore have a special significance for coming to terms with the terrible events of the war and our living together as brothers and sisters in Eurode." said Mayor Dr. Benjamin Fadavian.

His counterpart Mayor Dr. Petra Dassen-Housen added: "By awarding the Eurode Peace Prize, we honor people and initiatives that quietly build peace, tolerance and connection - precisely where borders meet. At a time when divisions lurk, this prize is a powerful signal: peace begins with people themselves, and knows no borders."

The Peace Chapel in Kerkrade was established at the end of 1944 on the initiative of the local population, after 30,000 people had been evacuated and were able to return after only one month. The chapel was founded out of deep gratitude to God for His protection and nearness in the hardest of times. Eucharistic adoration was initially provided by the Clares, later by the White Sisters and until the end of 2019 by the Sacramentine Fathers.
The adjacent monastery is not only a place of reflection, but also of concrete help. For example, 15 Ukrainian refugees lived there for a year, as well as a family with three children whose house had burned down, and others who could not find shelter elsewhere.