“Even when God’s Will does not correspond to your own desires, it is always beneficial for you.”

Arnold Janssen was born in 1837 in Goch, a small city in lower Germany. He was the 2nd of 10 children to very devote parents.

He was ordained a priest in 1861 for the diocese of Muenster and assigned to teach natural science and mathematics in a secondary school. He was strict but just.

He was profoundly devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and as Diocesan Director, he opened himself to Christians and other denominations. Little by little, he became more aware of the spiritual needs of those beyond the limits of his own diocese and developed a deep concern for the universal mission of the Church. He dedicated his life to awakening the German church in its missionary responsibility. He soon resigned teaching and founded The Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart, a publication concerning news of missionary activities, encouraging others to help.

There were difficult times for the Catholic Church, because of the Kulturkampf, a series of anti-Catholic laws, which led to the expulsion of priests and the religious. With this, Arnold saw an opportunity for the expelled to increase foreign missions. He slowly overcame the opposition with support from a number of bishops, founded the Society of Divine Word, and started the 1st mission house in Holland. Within 3 years, two missionaries set out for China.

He started a printing press to attract vocations and funding and within 4 months, thousands of generous lay persons contributed time and effort to the missions. At the women’s and sisters’ request, he founded the mission congregation of the Servant Sisters of the Holy Spirit and the first Sisters left for Argentina in 1895.

More than 6,000 Divine Word Missionaries are active in 63 countries.

He died in Steyl on January 5, 1909 and canonized in 2003.

“God loves those who thank Him even in suffering.”

Divine Word Missionaries: https://www.svdvocations.org/

His feast day is January 15.

For God’s Glory.