Page 21 - Sword-Bishop - His Personal Development

Sword-Bishop – His Personal Development

aforementioned sister drove there to have a look. This retreat house
had about 8 ha of land extending all around it. Without possessing any
money, or asking about the costs, he enquired after the owner, as the
Fathers (Jesuits) had given up this building. A car company (DAF –
VOLVO) was the owner. Nikolaus went there to negotiate despite, as
already mentioned, a more or less completely empty wallet. It seemed
that the management of this company also suspected this, and did not
show the slightest interest.
But Nikolaus did not give up. Finally the management almost
reluctantly agreed to decide on this with the Board of Directors. The
date was set for around 14 December 1976. It seemed, however,
totally hopeless. Because how could such a complex be kept up finan-
cially? Yet Nikolaus said confidently:
«If GOD so wills that we have the building, He will also take care of the
rest. I do not know how myself. But He will surely do it.»

Suddenly the message came that the date of the meeting would be
brought forward to 8 December, Immaculate Conception of Mary. This
made Nikolaus confident that he would be able to rent the house,
whatever the cost. He trusted Mary! His wildest expectations were
exceeded, for this house with its 220 furnished rooms and inventory
(complete) as well as 8 hectares of surrounding land was given to him
for rent at a monthly rate of 100 Dutch guilders (approx. 70 Swiss
francs)!!!

And now the people came. The chapel was put in order and con-
secrated on the Feast of the Innocent Children, then the large church
on the Feast of St Peter’s See of Antioch. Priests continued to come and
celebrate the Holy Mass here. Nikolaus held retreats for adults, but
especially for the children of the KGS. The newspapers began to take
an interest. Illustrated magazines brought out reports with several
pictures and pages. The newspapers reported about the KGS in large
letters on the front page. Hardly a day went by without a report! All the
articles were mostly positive.

More and more children came to the KGS and were enthusiastic! Many
of them started to pray, and, with their hearts aglow, take an interest in
GOD so that often the parents could not believe their eyes. For

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