Arnold Janssen

1837 - 1909

Founder of the Society of the Divine Word

 

 
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First Mission Seminary, Steyl, 1875

Mission Seminary, Steyl, 1900

 

Father Joseph Freinademetz

1852-1908

How this seminary has grown internally and externally! At that time, it could still be compared to a small, insignificant mustard seed. Year after year it has enlarged its quarters, and the number of its own members has grown. If today 89 people - of which 10 are priest and 48 students - are living within its walls, its success is due to Him from Whom all good things come and in whom is every blessing and perfection.
Arnold Janssen, March 1879, less than four years after founding of the mission seminary
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1837 5 November. Arnold Janssen born in Goch (Germany)
1857 Natural Science Studies in Bonn
1861 15 August. Ordained Priest in the Cathedral of Munster
1861 Teacher in Bocholt
1867 Director, Apostleship of Prayer, Diocese of Munster
1873 Chaplain, Ursuline Sister (Kempen)
1874 Publication: Little Messenger of the Sacred Heart
1874 Meeting with Bishop Raimondi, Apostolic Vicar of Hong Kong at Neuwerk near Monchengladbach
1875 8 September. Founding of St. Michael Mission Seminary, Steyl, Holland
1879 First two missionaries going to China
1889  Foundation of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit
1889 Mission in Argentina
1892 Mission in Togo
1893 Mission in Ecuador
1895 Mission in Brazil
1896 Foundation of the Sisters Servants oh the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration
1896 Mission in Papua New Guinea
1900 Mission in Chile
1905 Black Apostolate in the United States
1906 Scientific journal "Anthropos", founded by father Wilhelm Schmidt (ethnology and linguistics) 
1907 Mission in Japan
1909  15 January. Arnold Janssen's died in Steyl
1975  19 October. World Mission Sunday; Arnold Janssen's beatification in Rome together with Father Joseph Freinademetz (one of first two SVD's China missionaries), Father Eugene de Mazenod and Mother Maria Teresa Ledochowska
1981

Mission in Botswana. 1986 - Zambia. 

1987 - Zimbabwe. 2001- South Africa 

2002 6070 SVD's missionaries working in 69 countries
2002  18 October. Opening svdbotswana.com 
2003 5 October. Arnold Janssen's canonization in Rome together with Father Joseph Freinademetz and Father Daniele Comboni.