Firmin was born on the 9th June 1929 in St. Trond, Limburg Province, Belgium. His father died when he was eight years old. His mother ran a small business to make ends meet. Firmin went to school at the famous college of his native town. His elder brother had joined the Diocesan seminary. In September 1948, Firmin joined the White Fathers. He studied philosophy at Boechout followed by novitiate in Varsenare. Continue reading “Profile : Firmin Van Haelst 1929 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”

“He who dies is more than cloth woven artistically; He continues to live in God.”

Johannes Harding was born on 20th June 1933 at Paderborn, Germany. He was the eldest son in a family of four children of Johannes and Gertrude Harding. His father worked on the railways, but returned home, 100% handicapped, after serving at the front. Despite all the restrictions caused by this fact, Johannes had a trouble free childhood with his brother and two sisters in a family that had a deep faith. Continue reading “Profile : Johannes Harding 1933 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”

Hans was born in Voorburg, Netherlands on the 21st January 1932. He followed the usual training programme of the Dutch White Fathers at the time and passed through St. Charles near Boxtel and ‘s-Heerenberg where he took his Missionary Oath on the 10th July 1958. He spent a year in Totteridge and he was ordained priest in Rotterdam on the 2nd February 1959. Continue reading “Hans Pauwels 1932 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”

Arthur was born on the 11th March 1927 at Beringen, Limburg Province, Belgium. He came from a well off and very Christian family. Speaking about his mother later in life, Arthur described her as a saint. He attended primary and secondary school at the College Saint-Joseph in Hasselt. He entered the Philosophy House of the White Fathers at Boechout in September 1945. Novitiate followed in Varsenare before he went to Marienthal in Luxembourg for his first year of Theology. Continue reading “Arthur Bosmans 1927 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”

Jacques was born on the 25th January 1923 at Saint-Josse (Bruxelles). He came from a large Christian family. His father was Army officer. After finishing school at the Institute Saint-Louis in Bruxelles, he entered the White Fathers at Thy-le-Château in 1941. Then followed the novitiate at Varsenare and theological studies in Heverlee. He took his Missionary Oath there on the 6th April 1947. Continue reading “Jacques De Ridder 1923 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”

Antoine, more often than not known as ‘Toine’ by the confreres, was born on the 25th June 1935 at Achel, Limburg Province, Belgium. He attended the College Saint-Hubert at Neerpelt for his secondary education. He was very active in the Catholic Student Movement (KSA). He entered the White Fathers at Boechout in September 1953. Novitiate in Varsenare followed before going to Eastview, Canada for his theological studies. He took his Missionary Oath there on the 20th June 1959 and he was ordained priest, also in Eastview, on the 30th January 1960. From the assessments made by his professors, it quickly becomes clear that Antoon had considerable artistic gifts. Continue reading “Antoon Coninx 1935 – 2016 (PE nr. 1080)”