The Beerse Healer

Healing powers after lightning:
"De Beerse Strijkster" is perhaps the most special folk tale in the village. On April 13, 1865, lightning struck the Oude Kerkje in Middelbeers. One woman was fatally struck, Anna Maria van de Wetering was slightly injured. The lightning strike would she was given healing powers: by stroking with her affected left hand, she could make gout, rheumatism and cramps disappear. This gift soon became known far and wide and the sick from all regions came to Kuikseind, where Anna Maria lived. Every Sunday the church was packed, until after a few years the attention faded away.

In a nutshell, the legend of the Beerse Strijkster tells that on a Maundy Thursday somewhere in the year 1865, three women were in the old Sint Willibrord church when lightning struck. One woman died instantly, two survived. One of these two women has since claimed to have healing powers. By stroking someone with her hands, she could cure various complaints and illnesses. People from far and wide visited her.Source and more information: dalvandekleinebeerze.nl(Unfortunately, one of the ironers' hands is missing (5-11-'24))

The Valley of the Kleine Beerze is a management unit of the Brabant Landscape that is 101 ha in size. It lies within the municipality of Oirschot, the municipality of Bladel and Eersel and includes a number of areas