On October 1st, a painting depicting Blessed Father Eustace became part of the "Gallery of the Beloved Dutch" in the Church of St. Michael and St. Magnus in Vatican City. The church, known as the "Church of the Dutch Frisians," is considered the principal national church of the Netherlands in Rome.

The enthronement of the portrait of the Blessed was proposed by the rector of the institution, the Dutch bishop Dom Antoon Hurkmans, who was in Belo Horizonte for the Beatification of Father Eustace in 2006. At 10:30 am local time – 6:30 am in Brazil – the bishop began the ceremony with Holy Mass. In the homily, the life and trajectory of Father Eustace were remembered and presented as an example. Afterwards, the portrait was taken to the gallery, where it will remain permanently. According to Dom Hurkmans, the celebration, which was broadcast on Dutch television, was part of the missionary month commemorations, which used Father Eustace as an example for religious from Frisia.

For Father Marcus Vinícius Maciel, SSCC, responsible for the Canonization process of Father Eustáquio in Brazil, the news of the enthronement was received with great joy by the Brazilian and Dutch communities, especially by the devotees of the religious figure. “This is yet another recognition of the virtues and spirituality of Father Eustáquio that has reached Rome. We are very happy, especially because this will be another way to spread the life and history of the blessed one,” Father Vinícius emphasized.

The Frisians

Frisia is a province with its own language and customs, located in the north of the Netherlands. Its inhabitants were converted to Christianity in the 8th century by Saint Willibrord, known as the "Apostle of the Frisians." Since then, pilgrims from that region have regularly visited Rome, and a Frisian colony was established in the city. Documents in the Vatican mention the "Schola of the Frisians" in Rome as early as 799. However, after the Saracen invasion, also in the 8th century, which aimed to destroy the Old Basilica of St. Peter, the "Frisian Schola" was devastated. In the 12th century, the site was rebuilt, and finally, in 1446, Pope Eugene IV confirmed the perpetual right of the Frisians to the church of Santi Michele e Magno (Saint Michael and Saint Great).

Source: Press Office for the Promotion of Canonization