The old church stood at the edge of Boerzeel which is at the edge of Brussel. It stood there for 3 centuries and never changed. The people called it holy, more holy than any other church. It stood there blessed by God. Holy words engraved in the stone itself over the decades. So many blind and poor it gave a chance to stand up on their feet.

The whole Boerzeel knew that it was sacred for them. Parents would bring their kids. Farmers would bring their sick animals. Old people came and prayed to take the burden off their pained backs, to feel their predecessors and grandkids all in one place.

Then, one night the news shocked everyone. It was 1863. The flow of Zenna has changed and this time the water will almost reach the settlement. The church sadly will not be as lucky. There is no saving it.

100 men, women and kids went to the church to take everything out. They took books, candles, archives and altars. They didn’t take only the biggest crucifix hanging above the podium. They took every other cross. A long line of people returned to the town. Even the smallest kids were saving something from destruction. Yet, they could not save the columns, the mosaic windows, the paintings engraved in the walls. They saved barely what the church was holding in its hands. Not the church itself.

No saving. Count the losses and move on. The water will go away soon, and who knows – maybe something will return to the people. But then, a prophecy came upon the persons. The church will not die for nothing. The flood is the flood that God sent to help them. The water comes by his word and hand. The water will bring health and long life to anyone who comes. That’s why it will be just outside the edge of their houses. For everyone.

So, people waited the whole night for the water. Some people were ready to swim despite the cold weather. Most wanted to drink and splash the holiness. Some even took mugs or swimwear with them.

Everyone decided to meet in the center of Boerzeel and march to the water. A whole crowd approached. The flood water looked like dirt.