Gedachtenismuseum Pater Valentinus Paquay

About the museum

The museum is dedicated to Father Valentinus Paquay (1828–1905), popularly known as the Heilig Paterke (Holy Little Father). He was born in Tongeren, became a Franciscan and, after his ordination as a priest in 1854, remained in Hasselt for the rest of his life, where he was a celebrated preacher and confessor. He died on 1 January 1905. On 9 November 2003 he was beatified by Pope John Paul II.

The museum was founded in 1947 in the former infirmary of the Friars Minor monastery, next to the Sint-Rochuskerk. His deathbed is also kept there. The vice-postulator Valentinus Paquay manages the museum, the burial chapel and the associated shop. The neo-Romanesque burial chapel next to the Friars Minor church was built in 1925; the body of the father was interred there on 11 August 1926.

In the museum you can see furniture and objects from his parental home in Tongeren, family portraits, a reconstruction of his cell, and displays on his entry into the order, his apostolate in Hasselt, the infirmary chapel, the signs of devotion and the beatification. His personal belongings and clothing are also on show.

Highlights

• Personal belongings and clothing of Father Valentinus
• Reconstruction of his monastery cell and his deathbed
• Furniture and family portraits from his parental home in Tongeren
• Burial chapel next to the Friars Minor church
• Story of the beatification in 2003

Permanent exhibition

• Museum Heilig Paterke – Permanent display on the life of Father Valentinus Paquay, with his personal belongings, a reconstruction of his cell, his deathbed and the history of his beatification.

Founded

1947

Operated by

Minderbroeders Franciscanen (Vice-Postulaat Valentinus Paquay)

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The burial chapel is accessible for wheelchair users; the museum is not.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

At the museum and the burial chapel there is a shop with devotional objects, books and a film about Valentinus Paquay.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit