The representative in Brazil of the Cause for the Canonization of Blessed Father Eustace, Fr. Vinicius Maciel, ss.cc, met last weekend with Bishop Antoon Hurkmans, a Dutch bishop and rector of the Frisian Church in Rome. Father Vinicius participated in the Eucharistic Celebration and had the opportunity to speak briefly with Bishop Hurkmans about the progress of the process and possible outreach activities in the Dutch church, which is very close to St. Peter's Basilica. The Dutch bishop expressed his interest in the Cause and a particular family connection to Blessed Father Eustace, whose sisters were neighbors of the bishop's mother. Bishop Hurkmans was bishop of Den Bosch, the diocese of origin of Father Eustace's family in the Netherlands. At the time of the Beatification, in June 2006, he was the bishop of this diocese and even participated in the ceremony in Belo Horizonte, along with a significant group of Dutch priests, religious and lay people, including several relatives of the Blessed.

THE CHURCH OF THE DUTCH FRISIANS

Since the evangelization of the Netherlands, beginning in the 8th century, that Christian community, visiting or residing in Rome, established itself near the tomb of Saint Peter, like so many other national settlements, colleges, and hostels. The church of the Dutch Frisians remains as the only building from the time of the national schools, nestled among the modern buildings. All the others were demolished for the construction of the current St. Peter's Square and Basilica. The "Friezenkerk" or Church of St. Michael and St. Magnus is located in Borgo Santo Spirito, right on the border with the Vatican.

A TRIBUTE TO BLESSED FATHER EUSTÁQUIO

Last October, the traditional Dutch church received a painting of Blessed Father Eustace and displayed it as a model during Mission Month 2018. Currently, the painting is among the church's possessions, although it is only displayed on a few occasions.