Arnold Janssen

Principal dates in the Life of Arnold Janssen

November 5, 1837       Arnold Janssen was born in Goch, Germany,
                                           Lower Rhine area

1848 - 1861                      Diocesan Augustinian College, Gaesdonck

August 15, 1873             Ordained Priest in cathedral of Munster

1861-1873                         Teacher in Bocholt

September 8, 1875       Founding of St. Michael Mission Seminary, Steyl

March 2, 1879                 Sent first two Missionaries to China

1887                                   Private consecration to the Holy Spirit, Vienna

December 8, 1889       Foundation of Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit

1895                                  Send first SVD Missionaries to the United States

December 8,1896        Foundation of Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit of
                                           Perpetual Adoration

1901                                   Sent first SSpS Missionaries to the United States

October 28, 1908         Gave permission to open St. Mary's Mission Seminary
                                           in Techny, IL USA

January 15, 1909           Death in Steyl, Netherlands

1935 -1975                       Process of Beatification

May 10, 1973                   Decree on Heroicity of his Virtues

October 19, 1975            Beatification on World Mission Sunday by Pope Paul VI

October 5, 2003            Canonization of Blessed Arnold Janssen along with
                                            Blessed Joseph Freinademetz by Pope John Paul II

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Arnold's Wish

St. Arnold Janssen Wished that Catholics and Protesants would pray together for unity in faith. For that purpose he recommended the following prayer, taken from the liturgy of Chrysostomus, doctor of the Church: "O Lord Jesus Christ before Your Passion, you prayed to your heavenly Father that all who believe in you might be one, as you are one with the Father. Look with favour on the prayer that, following your divine example, we offer for the restoration of unity among all who confess your holy Name. Grant, O Lord, that with one voice and one heart we may glorify and praise your exalted and glorious Name, as well as the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and for all eternity.
Amen