Welcome to Stapelen
Stapelen is an old castle in a small town in the Netherlands called Boxtel. Parts of the building go back to the 13th century. During the year 1915 it became the monastery of the Assumptionist Fathers in Holland. During world war 11 the priests could not go back to their house in Louvain, because Belgium was occupied by the German army.
The Lady in the castle made the Assumptionists welcome in her house. When you look at my sketch you see the gate open towards the courtyard. In the middle is a well which used to be the source of the water for all the inhabitants ,now only a wishing well for childern. On the left you see the gable of a small chapel in which there is an altar that goes back to 1750. Above it is a sculpture of a miracle that took place in the past when the priest knocked over the chalice with precious Blood.
The stain on the altar linen he could not remove. The chapel became a pilgrimage place for the little village up till now.
See the photo of the altar on post Stapelen 2 above.Behind the chapel you see a tower where the pigeons are welcomed every evening.
The chapel is rather small.There is no room for an altar facing the people. but there hardly any people at Mass; so it does not matter.
On the left of the chapel there is a large hall used for solemn occasions. So it is called the Knights Hall. Also on left of the court yard are rooms for offices; on the right is the main wing of the castle for more rooms and also the Lounge, dining room and kitchen.
The castle is the mother-house for the Dutch Assumptionists, although there are no mothers except may be one in the kitchen.
The early priests worked for ecumenical projects, helped in the parishes around and in the formation of the novices.
Above the entrance- gate lived the provincial, keeping an eye on his flock and who sent from the castle the missionaries to Belgian Congo and Brazil, and much later the priests for Dutch people in New Zealand and teachers in the Wellington Diocese. The first bishop of Wellington was a French Marist called Viard. After him is called the college where the Assumptionsts Fathers, including me, and the Brigidines sisters taught for more than twenty years.
Back to the castle. Shortly I go back to the Netherlands for a family- reunion. But my first stay will be in the castle to celebrate with the other Assumptionists the feast of Our Lady of the Assumption.
I never lived in the castle for a long time. After my ordination to the priesthood I was sent to England to update my English. After a year I had to wait for the plane to New Zealand (22 Dec 1957).I had time to sketch, a hobby from age six up tiil now. So I lived for 4 months in Stapelen, on the left of the courtyard, up stairs in a tiny room.
But I am sure I will be welcomed. The gate will be open.
