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Saint Arnold Janssen was canonized a saint by Pope John Paul II on October 5, 2003. A devoted and humble priest, Saint Arnold Janssen carried out his calling to religious life by establishing the Society of the Divine Word. He dedicated his life to establishing missions all over the world and at the time of his death, more than 1.500 priests and sisters were his missionaries. Today, the mission societies established by Saint Arnold Janssen have over 10,000 members.
Facts about Saint Arnold Janssen:
Born on November 5, 1837 in Goch, Germany to Gerhard and Anna Katharina Janssen.
One of seven children raised in the Catholic faith
Studied natural science and became a high school teacher
Entered the seminary and was ordained a priest on August 15, 1861for the Diocese of Muenster
Saint Arnold Janssen taught secondary school in Bocholt for twelve years
Began writing the Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart which reported happenings in the missions and how German Catholics could become involved with missionary work.
Saint Arnold Janssen became dedicated to forming a German mission society but at the time, Germany banned the formation any religious schools.
Crossing the border into Steyl, Holland, Saint Arnold Janssen established a missionary seminary and a new religious order called The Society of the Divine Word on Sept. 8, 1875. Only three men were enrolled in the seminary and there was very little money for the upkeep of the run down facility.
Two of the first missionaries to graduate from The Society of the Divine Word were sent to China on March 2, 1879.
On December 8, 1889, Saint Arnold Janssen co-founded another religious missionary group called the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit.
Saint Arnold Janssen continued his goal of founding missionary orders and co-founded the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration.
Saint Arnold expanded his missions into Argentina, Brazil, Togo, New Guinea, Chile, United States, Japan, Paraguay, and the Philippines.
Saint Arnold Janssen died on January 15, 1909.
Pope Paul VI beatified Saint Arnold Janssen on October 19, 1975. Follow the Example of Saint Arnold Janssen
Saint Arnold Janssen is an inspiration to all Christians. Many Catholics wear a Saint Arnold Janssen medal as they go about their day as a reminder to be missionaries of Jesus Christ in their own lives. The Saint Arnold Janssen pendant inspires Catholics by the faith of Saint Arnold Janssen in answering Jesus' call.
