Feast of St. John of Cologne, O.P. & Companions (Martyrs of Gorkum)-July 9th.

Immaculate Heart Films on May 13, 2018 After enduring much suffering and abuse in the prison at Gorkum (26 June-6 July) the first fifteen martyrs were transferred to Brielle. On their way to Dortrecht they were exhibited for money to the curious and arrived at Brielle July 13. On the following day, Lumey, the commander of the Watergeuzen, caused the martyrs to be interrogated and ordered a sort of disputation. In the meantime the four other martyrs also arrived. It was exacted of each that he abandon his belief in the Blessed Sacrament and in papal supremacy. All remained firm in their faith. Meanwhile there came a letter from William of Orange which enjoined all those in authority to leave priests and religious unmolested. Nevertheless Lumey caused the martyrs to be hanged in the night of July 9, in a turf-shed amid cruel mutilations. Their beatification took place on Nov. 14, 1675, and their canonization on June 29, 1865. For many years the place of their martyrdom in Brielle has been the scene of numerous pilgrimages and processions.