On September 13-15, 2022, the friars of the Provincial Delegation in Holland met in the Dutch town of Denekamp, near the German border, for the celebration of their traditional “Denekampdagen” [Denekamp Days].
The friars have met annually in Denekamp for twenty years. This year, for the first time since the pandemic ended, everyone was able to attend the meeting in person.
The Delegate, Friar Thijs MOONS welcomed the Minister Provincial of the Province of St. Elizabeth in Germany, Friar Andreas MURK, together with seven other friars from Holland and Belgium and Mr. Henk Oude HENGEL, a lay collaborator with the friars. Despite the fragility of the Order in the Holland and our decreasing numbers, the meeting was a good opportunity to cultivate fraternal life.
Friar Andreas spoke at the beginning about the life of the Province. The highlight of the first day was the celebration of some jubilees. Friar Thijs congratulated several friars on their jubilees over the last two years, which ranged from the 25th anniversary of profession to the 70th anniversary of priestly ordination. Some friends of the confreres were invited for the occasion and everyone gathered to enjoy a festive dinner.
On the second day of the meeting, the friars went across the border to Germany. After a good hour’s drive from Denekamp, they reached the new friary in Lage-Rieste, which opened in February of 2021. The local community welcomed the friars and the Guardian, Friar Bernhardin M. SEITHER, organized a barbecue for lunch. Friar Jesmond PANAPPARAMBIL led a tour of the house. In the afternoon, the friars visited the nearby Benedictine abbey in Dinklage.
The friars then returned to Denekamp. On the third day, they discussed some topical issues before heading home.
Friar Andreas MURK
