The Capuchin monastery, ‘men of fire and plague’

The establishment of the Capuchins in Aarschot was a late foundation. In other cities, this mendicant order had gained a foothold early on. Originally, they were active as preachers against an emerging Protestantism, but they soon gained fame for their contempt for death, as they laid out and buried the deceased during times of plague.

In this sense, we must situate their late arrival in 1682 in Aarschot. A decade earlier, in 1666, the plague had struck the city hard. Surgeons, bowmen, and gray sisters were victims of this plague, and the city council understood that there would be a need for body bearers in the future.

In 1686, they gained access to a convent building. No less than 23 cells were provided. In the garden, at some distance from the main building, stood the pest house. This was not intended to care for plague sufferers but served the function of quarantine for the caretakers. This house probably never served its purpose for the plague, as 1666 was the last major plague epidemic in the city.

The Capuchins not only took care of the burials but could also administer the sacrament of confession under exceptional circumstances. Normally, this was a task for priests. Only Capuchins who had undergone 'training' were allowed to hear confessions.

The Capuchins had a garden with medicinal herbs that they distributed to the residents of the city who could not afford the high pharmacy costs.

Jan Rymenams