Saint Gerlach was a 12th-century Dutch anchorite who lived in Valkenburg aan de Geul. Originally a soldier and brigand, he underwent a religious conversion following the death of his wife. This transformation led him to undertake pilgrimages to Rome and Jerusalem, where he spent seven years caring for the sick. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he lived a life of extreme asceticism, residing in a hollow oak tree and donating his wealth to the poor.
Life and penance
After his conversion, Gerlach sought to atone for his past through rigorous penance. He lived in a hollow oak near Houthem, sustaining himself on bread mixed with ash. Despite accusations from local monks that he was hiding treasure within his tree, Gerlach found protection through influential friends. Legend says that water from a nearby well turned into wine three times to signal his divine forgiveness.
Veneration and legacy
His burial site became a pilgrimage destination, leading to the establishment of a Premonstratensian monastery in 1201. The current parish church in Houthem serves as a site on the Camino de Santiago and houses a silver reliquary containing his skull. The former monastery grounds now function as the Château St. Gerlach, a hotel located near the site of his former residence.