What do you do in uncertain times? Light a candle. In the Sint Jan in Den Bosch it happened much more often in 2024 than the year before: tens of thousands of candles more were lit.
A candle for peace. One for consolation. Or simply as a support in difficult times. In the Sint Jan cathedral in Den Bosch it is a coming and going of people who want to bring a small light into the darkness.
“It is war in Ukraine. US President Trump comes with new policy. That ensures that people come here, including Ukrainians who have fled to the Netherlands. They still want a righteous peace,” says Broeder Rangel.
He hardly gets the candles dragged. “Every hour and a half ago everything was topped here”, pointing on a large table with baking candles on it. Brother Rangel must appeal to a new stock of candles several times a day.
“Why is the world so in common?”
“We ask God: Why? Why is the world so mean? I can’t follow it,” says a visitor who comes to light a candle in Sint Jan.
“It doesn’t look good”, another woman at a warm winter coat. Also for her, the lighting of a candle in the cathedral offers a piece of peace of mind.
Whether it will actually contribute to world peace in addition to mental support? “I hope so, but when I look around I wonder where is it going?”
