THE FOUNDING GENERATIONS

Saint Arnold Janssen

Life
- Born on November 5, 1837 in Goch, Germany to parents Anna Katharina & Gerhard
Janssen: grew up in a devoted Catholic family of seven children, five brothers and two
sisters. Their family prayer included a nightly rosary which was followed by the Prologue
of St. John’s Gospel.
- His first school was the Catholic Augustinianum High School in Gaesdonck. He did his
college degree. He worked as a high school teacher in Bocholt, Germany, teaching
physics and catechism.
- A man tireless in seeking the will of God, has unshakable trust in God and deep prayer
life. He was clear-sighted and showed a love for truth.
Mission
- Went on to study theology and was ordained a diocesan priest for the Diocese of
Muenster on August 15, 1861.
- Wanted to devote himself more toward issues of the Universal Church.
- Founded in 1874 the German language journal "Kleiner Herz-Jesu Bote" (Little Messenger of
the Sacred Heart), which looked to enlist the faithful in prayer and support for the mission.
- On Sept. 8, 1875 in Steyl, Netherlands, he founded his mission seminary and a religious
order, to be named The Society of the Divine Word (SVD) ; on December 8, 1889, co-
founded the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Spirit. (SSpS) and the Missionary Sisters
Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpSAP) on December 1896.
Motto
“May the Holy Triune God live in our hearts and in the hearts of all. Amen.”
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and
the spirit of grace and may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all. Amen.”
Death and Canonization
- Died on January 15, 1909 in Steyl, Netherlands.
- Beatified on October 19, 1975 by Pope Paul VI
- Canonized on October 5, 2003 by Pope John Paul II; Feast day - January 15

Saint Joseph Freinademetz

Life
- Born on April 15, 1852 in Tyrol, Austria to parents Giovanmattia and Anna Maria
Freinademetz and the fourth child among thirteen children.
- Helped with the farm chores, attended daily Mass at his local parish and, on the advice
of the parish priest, attended a school some eleven hours walk from his home. He
eventually entered the major seminary and was ordained a priest for the Brixon Diocese
in 1875.
Mission
- He joined Father Arnold’s Mission House at Steyl in 1878, and barely a year later he
received his mission cross along with Fr. John Baptist Anzer, SVD to become a
missionary in China. He was very active in the education of Chinese laymen and priests.
He wrote a cathechism in Chinese, which he considered a crucial part of their missionary
effort.
Motto
“The language that all people understand is that of love.”
Death and Canonization
- Died on January 28, 1908 in South Shandong, China
- Beatified on October 19. 1975 by Pope Paul VI
- Canonized on October 5, 2003 by Pope John Paul II
- His feast day is on January 28
 Blessed Maria Helena Stollenwerk
Life
- Born on November 28, 1852 in Rollesbroich, Germany to parents Johann Peter and
Anna Maria Stollenwerk. Her mother had dedicated her to the Blessed Mother, and all
her life, Helena remained a special devotee of Mary.
- By the grace of God and a good upbringing by her truly Christian parents, she led a very
pious life as a child. She had an inclination towards adoration and contemplation.
Mission
- Tirelessly, she searched for a religious order with foundations in China where she could
fulfill her missionary vocation.
- In 1882 she came into contact with Arnold Janssen who had founded his mission
institute in Steyl. Helena left her home to join the mission of Father Arnold and started
out as a kitchen maid.
- Finally on December 8, 1889, after ten years, the mission congregation of the Servants
of the Holy Spirit was founded. The “kitchen maids” became postulants. On 17 January
1892, Helena received the religious habit from the hand of Fr.Arnold, together with the
religious name “Maria”. She became a novice directress, although she was still a novice
herself.She had the responsibility of the entire community.In March 1894, she took vows.
- At the wish of Father Arnold, she was transferred to the Missionary Sisters Servants of
the Hoy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration (SSpsAP), where she fulfilled her love for adoration
and contemplation.
Motto
“To God be the glory, to my neighbor the benefit and to myself, the labor of love.”
Death and Canonization
- Died on February 3, 1900 in Steyl.
- Beatified on May 7, 1995 by Pope John Paul II
- Feast day - November 28

Blessed Josepha Stenmanns

Life
- Born Hendrina Stenmanns on May 28, 1852 in Issum, Germany to parents Wilhelm
Franz and Anna Maria Wallboom and the eldest among seven children.
- Worked daily at the handloom (spinning and weaving) and specialized in making silk
umbrellas to supplement the family income.
- Cared for the sick, the old, and the dying of the village. She had acquired a deep insight
into persons who were suffering in mind and body by being with them and by attending
to their needs. Through this apostolate, she obtained a sense of lasting values for life,
which led her to become a member of the Third Order of St. Francis, when she was 19.
This prepared Mother Josepha well for her future mission.
Mission
- Her father's apprentice Lambert Welbers who was in the Steyl Mission Seminary and
whom she had helped financially for his studies, led her to the mission house in Steyl.
- On February 12th 1884 she joined the maids of the mission Seminary. She prayed a
great deal with the other maids as they worked. She was very concerned to have a good
atmosphere in the community and at work. She loved peace, harmony, silence and
serenity. Love of prayer characterized Hendrina so much that the Sisters of Providence
nicknamed her "the praying auntie". In December 1888, Hendrina replaced Helena, her
companion as superior.
- In March 1895, St. Arnold appointed Mother Josepha as Postulant Directress. Because
of her happy disposition and engaging nature, Mother Joseph was chosen to prepare the
girls for the novitiate.
Motto
“Come, Holy Spirit”
Death and Canonization
- Died on May 20, 1903
- Beatified on June 29, 2008 Feast day - May 5

CLF
7- St. Joseph Freinademetz
Russel Austin Dreggs P. Ungab
Name