Picture: Matham, Jacob (1571-1631) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Nicholas Pieck
Dutch Franciscan friar and martyr
BlessedFull write-upHabsburg 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.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
Connected on this site
- Antonius van Hoornaar Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Franciscus de Roye Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Godefroid Coart Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Hieronymus van Weert Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Jacob Lacops Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Joannes van Oisterwijk Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- John of Cologne Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Leonardus van Veghel Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Nicasius van Heeze Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Peter of Assche Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
- Sankt Villehad af Danmark Saint“At Brielle on the Maas in Holland, the passion of the holy martyrs Nicholas Pieck, priest, and ten companions of the Order of Friars Minor and eight of the diocesan or religious clergy, who, to defend against the Calvinists the doctrine of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the authority of the Church…” — this site's research
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.