Arnold Janssen

Arnold Janssen (November 5, 1837 – January 15, 1909) was a Roman Catholic priest and is venerated as a Saint. He is best known for founding the Society of the Divine Word, A Roman Catholic missionary congregation also known as the Divine Word Missionaries, as well as two congregations for women. Janssen was born in Goch, in the Rhineland of Germany, not far from the Dutch border, where he also attended the Roman Catholic boarding school, Collegiu... more

Arnold Janssen (November 5, 1837 – January 15, 1909) was a Roman Catholic priest and is venerated as a Saint. He is best known for founding the Society of the Divine Word, A Roman Catholic missionary congregation also known as the Divine Word Missionaries, as well as two congregations for women. Janssen was born in Goch, in the Rhineland of Germany, not far from the Dutch border, where he also attended the Roman Catholic boarding school, Collegium Augustinianum Gaesdonck. He was ordained a priest in 1861. Janssen purchased land in Steyl, Holland to begin his seminary, dedicated in 1875 as "St. Michael the Archangel Mission House". Within a few years, many seminarians, priests and brothers were preparing for missionary service there, and the first two missionaries, Joseph Freinademetz and John Anzer, were sent to China. Janssen also founded two congregations of religious Sisters: The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (members known as "Sister Servants of the Holy Spirit") in December 8,... less