The Dutch revolt against Spain rule to gain their independence from 1568 to 1648 was political but also religious because for many centuries the King of Spain had declared himself to be “a Catholic Mighty.” In the second half of the XVI century in the Low Countries which were rich and populated, there were many preachers, the followers of Martin Luther and Calvin who towards 1570 took all power, threatened and persecuted the Catholics.
Many Dutch people, having been exiled since the time of Spain's early victories, had joined forces with adventurers and bloodthirsty pirates to continue the war against Spain and the Catholic Church on the seas. They formed the group “Gueux” party (Sea Beggars) and started a relentless fight against Catholic priests and religious, with iconoclastic devastations throughout Flanders.
Under the leadership of Marck on the first of April 1572 the rebels captured the Brielle and Vlissingen and plundered the churches, convents and sacred images. Few Catholics survived. On 25th of June of the same year the citizens of Dordrecht and Gorkum, who were fishermen fell into their hands.
The rebels plundered everything and chained the refugees including the community of the Friars Minor composed of 9 priests: Nicholas Pieck who was the Guardian, Jerome of Weert the Vicar, Theodorus van der Eel, Nicasio of Heeze, Willehad of Denmark, Godfried of Melveren, Antony of Weert, Antony of Hoornaar, Francis of Roye, and two professed friars, Peter of Assche and Cornelius of Wijk Bij Duurstede. Other two friars, a Canon Regular of St. Augustine and a Dominican priest who was administering sacraments to the prisoners and three secular priests were arrested.
From 26th June to 6th July 1572 the prisoners remained at Gorkum subjected to torture. In vain were the efforts of Catholics to free them. After being tortured in the night of 9th July they were taken outside the city in a big storehouse of grain. Their bodies were mutilated and hung. They were buried in the place of their martyrdom. In 1618 their relics were transferred to the Church of the Franciscans in Bruxelles. The martyrs of Gorkum were beatified by Pope Clemente X on 14 November 1675 and canonized by Pope Pio IX on 29 June 1867.
Saint Nicols Pieck, was born at Gorkum in 1543, he converted many heretics and encouraged many weak catholics to live their faith. He was esteemed by many people. He was appointed the guardian at the convent of Gorkum which became the place of observance and sanctity. He was known for the evangelical purity of conscience, love for the eucharist and tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary to who he used to offer his prayers and sacrifice daily. He had great friendship with Fr. Leonard Wechel, who he could have shared martyrdom with. Confronted with the flattery of the persecutors expecting him to yield to their heresy, he remained faithful to his faith.
Cfr. Frati Minori Santi e Beati, a cura di Fr. Silvano Bracci, OFM e Sr. Antonietta Pozzebon, FMSC. Editrice Velar, 2009, pp. 239-246
