Not a hundred years, but after 98 years, the sealed box hidden high in the Sint Jan van Den Bosch can be opened. The previous copy was stolen last April. Now a new time capsule with even more content awaits. As soon as Saint John is 900 years old, the coffin can be opened.
The idea was great and many people participated two years ago. Write down a wish or thought for Saint John. In 2122, the basilica is a century older and all those wishes and thoughts provide a beautiful picture of the times.
At 80 meters
Unfortunately, the box had been there for less than 2 years when it was stolen. It was located at a height of 80 meters and also above the ‘All-Seeing Eye’, a fresco in the ridge of the roof, right above the altar. Because St. John’s Cathedral was covered in scaffolding, thieves could easily climb to it.
The thieves may have thought it was a cash box. The content was valuable, but only culturally and historically. There has been a call for the box to be returned, but there has been no response.
Moving
That is why there is now a new box with even more wishes and thoughts that people have submitted. Plebaan (pastor of a cathedral) Blom from Sint Jan is delighted with it. “This time there may be six hundred notes in it, which is more than last time. It is moving to read those notes and realize that in almost 100 years they will be read again with special attention.”
“It’s in the everyday,” the plebaan continues, “that makes it moving.” “It says here that I got married or said goodbye to my mother. Or a wish that St. John’s Cathedral is still at the center of Den Bosch and that it is well taken care of.”
Eternity
Plebaan Blom himself thinks it is a shame that the box is now being opened after 98 years. “But 900 years is a beautiful moment and Our Lord counts in eternity, so then 2 years doesn’t matter.”
The plebaan is not afraid that the time capsule will be stolen again. “Some extra security measures have been taken and the scaffolding will be removed soon.”
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