Picture: Matham, Jacob (1571-1631) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Nicholas Pieck
Dutch Franciscan friar and martyr
BlessedResearchedHabsburg NetherlandsFranciscans
Feast: 9 July (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Born
29 August 1534
verified
Died
9 July 1572
verified
Beatified
24 November 1675
by Pope Clement X
Canonised
29 June 1867
by Pope Pius IX
Who they were
Nicholas Pieck of Gorkum, of a devout family, became a Franciscan and was ordained in 1558. He preached throughout Holland and Belgium, known for humility, charity and a cheerful, open nature, and was guardian of the friary at Gorkum.
When the Calvinists took the town, he and his companions refused to deny the faith, and were martyred at Briel on 9 July 1572.
The miracles
As a martyr he was raised to the altars without a miracle.
Why that counted as sanctity
A cheerful friar who led the Martyrs of Gorkum.
Sources
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - St. Nicholas Pieck
- Wikidata Q3912447 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — Nicholas Pieck (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.