The Catholics of Holland gathered together in Utrecht in the third week of May for their annual days of celebration.
These annual festivities were first held in that town of St. Willebrord in 1919 in imitation of the Catholic celebrations in Germany—a sad reflection in these days.
Since then they have been held in most of the larger towns of Holland, but in view of the return to Utrecht this year the celebrations were especially solemn.
Pilgrims came from all parts of the country to attend the celebrations and listen to the discourses, most of them on the theme of "The Homage Due to God."
The work began with a solemn High Mass in the open air by the Archbishop of Utrecht, Mgr. De Jong, in the presence of the whole Dutch Hierarchy.
What is Preached
Preaching at the Mass, the youngest Bishop, Mgr. Huibers, of Haarlem, said: " Independence from Rome! That is what they preach in order to separate you from God and to take away the inestimable treasure of the Faith. That is the history of all heresy, but these views will have no
success here. Catholics of the Netherlands, today gathered around your Bishops, you have the calling to form the Church in this country. Let us swear allegiance to our Church; we wish to fight for our faith."