From Saturday, 24 May, to Monday, 26 May, 2025, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of Pope Francis and now of Pope Leo XIV, who had been one of the 'papabili', visited the Diocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam, on the occasion of the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam, exactly forty-five years after the visit of Pope John Paul II to this country.
On Sunday, the Cardinal celebrated a festive Pontifical Mass in the Co-Cathedral Basilica of St. Nicholas of Amsterdam, and in the afternoon, he attended Solemn Vespers in the Cathedral of St. Bavo at Haarlem. At St. Nicholas’ Basilica, the Cardinal wore the chasuble embellished with the Miracle of Amsterdam (from 1345). The chasuble is kept by the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in a drawer at the Beguinage Chapel and displayed on great occasions. On the front of the chasuble are images of Saints John and Ursula, after whom the Beguinage Chapel is named; on the back are displayed emblems of the Eucharistic Miracle of 1345 in Amsterdam.
 |
 |
In his homily, the Cardinal recalled the fact of how the Eucharistic Miracle of 1345 in Amsterdam played a great part in the development of that city!
On Monday, 26 May, Cardinal Parolin visited the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in the Beguinage Chapel in Amsterdam. Whereas it was uncertain whether the Cardinal would have time for this visit before catching a plane back to Rome that day, but everything went well! In the kitchen of the presbytery, the Fathers and I were ready to welcome him with coffee/tea and some treats.
Accompanied by Bishop Hendriks (Bishop of Haarlem-Amsterdam) and Bishop Jan Thomas Limchua (of the Apostolic Nunciature), the Cardinal entered the presbytery at 3:00 p.m.
The Fathers showed the Cardinal the Beguinage and its Chapel, and also related the story of the Miracle of Amsterdam and the reason for the hidden church in Amsterdam since Catholics were not allowed to profess their faith publicly during the epoch of the Alteration/Reformation.
Then there was a warm welcome in the kitchen. I personally attended this meeting with the Cardinal and photographed every moment. What a special day and what a grace that Pope Leo XIV’s Secretary of State was able to visit the community of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers in their home!
Mrs Thea van der Klei
SSS Associate, Amsterdam.
