St. John’s Cathedral in Den Bosch is preparing for a busy Christmas period. While many churches see fewer visitors, interest here is high. The nativity scene has been on display for two weeks and the choirs are still rehearsing.
“The church is ready for it,” Vincent Blom of the Sint-Jan Parish in Den Bosch told Omroep Brabant’s radio program Afslag Zuid on Wednesday. St. John’s has a busy program during the holidays, when many people visit the church. ”There is something to do for young and old. We preserve the classic, but also have an eye for the new generation.”
Christmas
Some people are critical and say that visitors only come to church at Christmas, but Blom sees this differently. “I’m happy that they are coming. You can celebrate Christmas anywhere, but many people still choose to go to church and specifically to St. John’s.”
New interest
Interest in St. John’s is not limited to the holidays. According to Vincent Blom of the Sint-Jan Parish, the number of visitors has actually increased in recent years. “You definitely notice it on Sundays. We have regular churchgoers, but we also receive many people outside. There is a new interest in faith,” says Blom.
According to him, the unrest in the world plays an important role in this. “There is a lot of tension and uncertainty. People are looking for stability and peace.”