Founding

Generation
Arnold Janssens
first important
Co-workers
Fr. Nikolaus Blum

Fr. Hermann Josef Wegener

Fr. John Janssen

Fr. Bernhard Eickenbrock

Steyl 1885

Sekretariat Arnold Janssen Steyl - 2011 - Portraits von Br. Lucas Kolzem SVD - Fotos: M. Krause SVD - Layout: Clemens Jansen SVD

F OUNDING GENERATION
Arnold Janssens f ir s t im por t ant
co-wor ker s
Fr. N IKOL AU S B LU M
Born: March 4, 1857 in Lammersdorf/Germany
Entered Steyl: July 1, 1876
Priestly Ordination: May 19, 1883 in Roermond/NL
Final Vows: October 25, 1891
Types of Work
Treasurer, Director of the Brothers section, Rector of St.
Michaels Mission House in Steyl, Treasurer General, General Counselor, Assistant Superior General, Administrator
General SVD (1909), Superior General SVD (Nov. 5, 1909
October 29, 1919)
From 1912 Fr. Blum suffered from diabetes. From October 25,
1919 on he was bedridden. On October 28 his physician told
him that his condition was very serious. Fr. Blums answer
was: Thank you, doctor, I am ready.

On October 29, 1919 he died in Steyl.

Fr. H ER M AN N JOSEF W E GE N E R
Born: October 18, 1850 in Polsum-Westphalia/
Germany.
He studied philosophy and theology in
Muenster where John Janssen was his fellow student. Since priestly work was impossible in the diocese of Muenster due
to the Kulturkampf in Prussia, when he
finished his studies he joined Arnold
Janssen in Steyl.
Entered Steyl: June 2, 1876 (together with John Janssen)
Ordination to the priesthood: The Kulturkampf made ordination in Muenster impossible, so he was
ordained on July 16, 1876 in Eichsttt/
Southern Germany
Final Vows: September 8, 1880
Types of Work:
First prefect of the Mission High School students in Steyl;
teacher and Director of studies at St. Michaels mission high

school; Assistant Rector of St. Michaels mission house in

Steyl, Editor in chief of the monthly mission magazine
Kleiner Herz-Jesu-Bote/ Little Messenger of the Sacred
Heart, Superior of St. Raphael house of studies in Rome,
Rector of St. Gabriels Mission House / Vienna (Austria),
Brother Novice Master in Steyl, General Counselor, Assistant
Superior General (until 1906), Honorary General Counselor
(for life) in 1909.

After a long and agonizing sickness he died in Steyl

on June 29, 1920.
Fr. Wegener belongs to the co-founders of the Steyl mission
institute and that in the first place. In Fr. Wegener the founder
Fr. Arnold Janssen had an intellectually superior, prudent and
circumspect advisor and he used his advice more than that of
anybody else. So Fr. Wegener had many opportunities to exercise a deep influence on the inner and outer development of
the young mission foundation, and he did so with the greatest
sense of responsibility (Hermann Fischer SVD, Vater Arnolds Getreuen
[Fr. Arnolds Faithful Companions], Steyl 1925).
Fr. J OH N JAN SSE N (Brother of Arnold Janssen)
Born: October 15, 1853 in Goch/Germany
He studied philosophy and theology in
Bonn and Muenster. When he finished
his studies he joined his brother Arnold
in Steyl.
Entered Steyl: June 2, 1876 (together with Hermann
Joseph Wegener)
Ordination to the priesthood: The Kulturkampf made ordination in Muenster impossible, so he was
ordained on July 16, 1876 in Regensburg / Southern Germany.
Final Vows: September 8, 1880
Types of Work:
Teacher at St. Michaels Mission High School in Steyl; Spiritual director of the brothers and brother candidates in Steyl;
director of the printing press; editor in chief of the family magazine Die Heilige Stadt Gottes (Holy City of God); writer of
numerous spiritual books; first superior of St. Raphael house
of studies in Rome; first Rector of St. Gabriels Mission House /
Vienna (Austria); General counselor.
He died in Steyl on April 14, 1898 during the third
SVD General Chapter.

John Janssen was 16 years his brother Arnolds junior. Arnold

was his godfather at his baptism and later paid for his studies.
After their fathers death Arnold took the fathers place. Because of that a relationship developed which was more like
that of father-son than the relationship between two brothers.
From his younger years onwards, John was accustomed to see
in his brother his leader and educator to whom he willingly subordinated himself. Essentially this was their relationship also
in later years. As Superior General Fr. Arnold treated his
brother like anybody else. Arnold was and remained for his
brother in all official matters the superior, and John fulfilled
the duties of a good religious towards him with exemplary
faithfulness and humility (Hermann Fischer SVD).

Fr. B ER N HA R D E I K EN BRO C K
Born: March 20, 1854 in Wadersloh in Westphalia / Germany.
He studied philosophy and theology in
Muenster. The Kulturkampf made ordination in Muenster impossible, so he
joined the diocesan seminary of Eichsttt/Southern Germany.
Ordination to the priesthood: July 26, 1878 in Eichsttt
Entered Steyl: 1878/ 1883
Final Vows: October 13, 1892

Types of Work
Teacher at St. Michaels Mission High School in Steyl; first
Novice Master SVD in Steyl and St. Gabriel; Superior of St.
Raphael house of studies in Rome; Rector of St. Gabriels
Mission House/Vienna in Austria (1898-1901); General
Counselor (from 1898).

He died on September 30, 1901 in St. Gabriel.

Fr. Arnold Janssen appreciated Fr. Eikenbrock as a thoroughly
pious and ascetic priest, whose example was the most effective recommendation for religious life (Hermann Fischer SVD). s
Whatever good he did for the novices, he did especially
through his example, the impression of which hardly anybody
could avoid, and through his frequent pious prayer.
As Rector of St. Gabriels he excelled through motherly benevolence. He showed such cordial sensitivity for all, even the
smallest needs, that through it he won the confidence and
the hearts of all, which made them accept his leadership (Hermann Fischer SVD).