ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY
Saints celebrated on the 15th of January
SAINT ARNOLD JANSSEN, PRIEST
Saint Arnold Janssen, SVD (November 5, 1837 –January 15, 1909) was a priest and missionary, best known for founding the Society of the Divine Word, also known as the Divine Word Missionaries, as well as two congregations for women.
HE WAS ORDAINED IN 1861
Janssen was born in Germany, one of 11 siblings. His deep, simple faith led him to study theology and he was ordained to the priesthood in 1861.
HE PURCHASED LAND IN THE NETHERLANDS
For a while he taught physics and catechism at a secondary school but his real passion was the mission. In 1867 he became the director of the Apostolat des Gebets for Germany and Austria and founded a scientific institute in Moedling, near Vienna.
The Kulturkampf, however, hampered his efforts, and Janssen purchased land in the Netherlands to begin his seminary, dedicated in 1875 as the St Michael the Archangel Mission house.
HE FOUNDED TWO CONGREGATIONS
Within a few years, many seminarians, priests and brothers were preparing for missionary service there. Janssen also founded two congregations of religious sisters: The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in 1889, and the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters in 1896.
A MIRACLE THROUGH HIS INTERCESSION
He and fellow missionary Joseph Freinademetz were canonised on October 5, 2003 by Pope John Paul II, as was Daniele Comboni, an important missionary in Africa. Janssen was canonised after the healing of Pamela Avellanosa, a Filipina teenager, who was expected to die after a bike accident. She was healed miraculously following prayers to Janssen.
(This article entitled “Heroes of the Faith” was published in The Catholic Universe, paper edition)
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