Arnold Janssen was a German priest who founded the Society of the Divine Word and other missionary communities, carrying the Gospel throughout the world.
Life
Arnold Janssen was born in 1837 in Goch, Germany. Ordained a priest in 1861, he taught in a school for several years and grew in his commitment to prayer movements and to the missions.
At a time when the Church in Germany faced heavy restrictions, he founded the Society of the Divine Word in 1875 at Steyl in the Netherlands. He went on to found the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters and a congregation of sisters devoted to perpetual adoration, and he ran a printing press that published Catholic magazines and books. He never went to the missions himself, yet he formed and sent many missionaries to China and other continents.
He died at Steyl in 1909 and was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2003.
Spirituality
Saint Arnold’s spirituality is deep trust in the Triune God, especially the Holy Spirit. He prayed that the light of Christ the Word would shine on all peoples, and he began his works with scant means, trusting in God’s providence. For him, prayer and mission were one.
Reflection
Through prayer and support, Saint Arnold carried the Gospel to places he never went himself. What prayer or small help could I offer today for missionaries far away?