Thorn is a small village, just off the autoroute, about 45 minutes north of Maastricht in the Netherlands.
It is unique, architecturally and historically.
They call it "The Little White Town" because all its brick houses are whitewashed. This gives it its Mediterranean look.
The houses surround a large church, and the streets between them are paved with cobble stones
in mosaic patterns. The village exists because of the church.
It was a pleasant 1.5 hour drive east to this little corner of Holland that is right next to the German border. The town is delightful . Elder Salden had arranged for a tour of the church. Starting as an abbey in the 10th century it became a sovereign state (though probably the smallest, ever) of the German Empire.
Here, the high aristocracy found a haven for their unmarried daughters. Originally a convent, it soon changed its status to a religiously focused, but secular establishment.
In Dutch, as well as in German, this type of institution is called a "stift" (there is no equivalent English word.) Vows were not required, and the Vatican was petitioned repeatedly to permit worldly dress. It took about two hundred years before the ladies would wear anything but black.
The abbess, who ran the "stift" and the town, ranked as a reigning monarch,
and lived in a small palace. In Thorn, only women with the most impeccable pedigree were accepted.
They dwelled in luxury in the white houses, being attended by
servants and owning property. If they married, they left.
In the evening we went to the Passion Play in Tengelen, which depicted the life of Christ.
The scenery was authentic, and even though it was in Dutch we were familiar
with the stories from the New Testament.
After a delightful evening, and a good night's sleep in a quaint bed and breakfast,
we all gathered for breakfast in the "blue room." We really felt we were living a dream!
We think of our senior couples as ANGELS.
They are continually taking good care of our missionaries.
They seem to do it all just for the joy they find in serving!
Thanks Sister Tibbitts for planing this memorable retreat!
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