Official feasts used to be an important part of the human community. People would gather together to remember something sacred, express their faith and hope for the future, and / or just be together formally, recognizing each other as being part of a shared community. Few things express a desire for shared companionship and social intimacy more than dining together. Sadly, the gathering together for feasting is increasingly a relic of the past – at least here in the West.
It need not be so! Today we will remember the ancient feasts.
The Feast of St. Plechelm
This is a Christian religious celebration of Plechelm, a 7th and 8th century Saxon saint who was born in what is either present-day northern England, or present-day Scotland. His mission work was primarily in the Netherlands, where today he is a patron saint.
Statue of Saint Plechelm at the tower of Saint Plechelm’s church at the Plechelmusstraat in De Lutte, The Netherlands
Plechelm, (Plechelm of Guelderland, Plechelm, also Pleghelm or Plechelmus; died 730), is honoured in both the Catholic Church and the Old Catholic Church as a patron saint of the Netherlands.
Life
According to Alban Butler, Plechelm was an English Saxon born in southern Scotland.[2] Richard Stanton places him in the north of England.[3]
After being ordained, he made a pilgrimage to Rome with two fellow monks, Saints Wiro and Otger. Having been consecrated a bishop, perhaps by Pope Sergius I, he returned home with some holy relics. He then started with Wiro and the deacon Otger on a mission to Gaul. They were well received by Pepin of Herstal, who gave the missionaries St. Peter’s Mount (also known as Sint Odiliënberg).[4] They built a monastery there which was important in the Christianisation of the Netherlands.[5] Many missions were sent from there to the provinces between the Rhine and the Meuse.
According to John O’Hanlon, it is said that Plechelm and Wiro were present at the Synod of Utrecht in 697. Plechelm died in Sint Odiliënberg at the age of 100 years.[6]
Basilica of St. Plechelm, Oldenzaal
Veneration
Plechelm was greatly honored at Sint Odiliënberg, and Ruramonde. Following the Norman invasion in the middle of the ninth century, the relics of Wiro, Plechelm, and Otger were moved to Utrecht. Plechelm was canonized by Pope Agapetus II about 950. In 954, Bishop Balderic of Utrecht had the relics of Plechelm transferred to the Basilica of St. Plechelm in Oldenzaal, which he had built to enshrine the remains.
Saint Plechelm of Guelderland, also known as Plechelm of Utrecht, Plechelmo, and Plechelmus, was an Anglo-Saxon Benedictine monk, priest, and regional missionary bishop. He is revered as the Apostle of Guelderland and an influential figure in the spread of Christianity in the Netherlands during the early 8th century. Not much is known about Saint Plechelm’s early life, but it is believed that he was born in Northumbria, England, a region known for its strong Christian presence. He devoted himself to a life of religious devotion and eventually became a monk in the Benedictine order. Along with Saint Wiro and Saint Otger, Saint Plechelm embarked on a pilgrimage to Rome, Italy. This pilgrimage was a common practice among monks of that era, providing them with spiritual inspiration and deepening their faith. The trip to Rome also offered the opportunity for contact with the Pope and the wider church community. After returning from Rome, Saint Plechelm was selected as a regional missionary bishop and was sent to Northumberland, England. In this role, he actively promoted the Gospel and brought Christian teachings to the local population. Eventually, Saint Plechelm was sent as a missionary to Friesland, in the modern Netherlands. It is believed that during his time there, he may have collaborated with Saint Willibrord of Echternach, another prominent Christian figure in the region. Their combined efforts contributed significantly to the conversion of the local population and the establishment of Christianity in the area. In his missionary endeavors, Saint Plechelm displayed great dedication and zeal. He preached tirelessly and baptized numerous people, sharing the message of Christ’s love and salvation. His efforts were met with great success, and many people embraced Christianity under his guidance. Saint Plechelm also played a role in the foundation of Saint Peter’s monastery at Roermond, Netherlands, near modern Odilienberg. This monastery was established around the year 700, with the land being provided by Blessed Pepin of Herstal. The monastery became a center of Christian learning and spirituality, further contributing to the growth of the faith in the region. Saint Plechelm died around the year 730 while preaching, leaving behind a legacy of faith and devotion. His life and ministry were remembered and revered by the people of the Netherlands, leading to his eventual canonization. Although the exact date of his canonization is unknown, it took place before the standardization of the canonization process by the Catholic Church, known as the Pre-Congregation period. Today, Saint Plechelm is honored as the patron saint of the Netherlands, specifically the province of Guelderland. He is also venerated as the patron saint of Gelderland and the city of Oldenzaal in the Netherlands. His feast day is celebrated on July 15th annually, commemorating his life and the profound impact he had on the spread of Christianity in the region.
For a great short tour of St. Plechelmus Basilica, I recommend the following video:
What is something you can eat to celebrate the Feast Day of Saint Plechelm?
Given his status as a patron saint of the Netherlands, I think it most fitting to celebrate Plechelm by eating something very Dutch in character. And for that, I have chosen the following option:
Dissolve the instant yeast in a little lukewarm whole milk along with a little bit of the sugar, then wait 5 minutes.
Mix the flour, the rest of the milk, the sugar, egg and the yeast mixture together to form a smooth dough. Cut the butter into small pieces. Add the butter and a pinch of salt to the dough and knead it again.
Place the dough under a clean tea towel and let it rise for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, remove the dough from the bowl and flatten it into a pancake shape. Fold the dough in half and let it rise under the tea towel for 15 minutes.
Cut 30 centimetre strips from the dough and roll/tie them to make bow or knot shapes. Let the unbaked nonnevotten rise for 10 minutes.
Frying the Nonnevotten – 10 minutes
Heat the sunflower oil in a deep fryer, or a heavy-based saucepan, to a temperature of 180 degrees Celsius.
Deep fry the nonnevotten until golden brown on both sides. Sprinkle the nonnevotten generously with sugar immediately after frying. Do this straight away otherwise the sugar will not stick properly to the pastries.
These nonnevotten are a typical Limburg delicacy which are often eaten during carnival parades. Enjoy!
What is a prayer to say when celebrating the Feast Day of Saint Plechelm?
“O God, who called your servant St. Plechelm to be a faithful witness of your Gospel, grant that we may follow his example and be strengthened in our faith.”
When is the Feast Day of Saint Plechelm celebrated?
This feast is celebrated annually on 15 July.
I hope that everyone who celebrates has a wonderful day!
