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Biography

Frédéric Janssoone (November 19, 1838 - August 4, 1916) was born in Ghyvelde, in northern France, near the Belgian border, into a deeply religious family.

As a Franciscan priest, he held several important positions, including superior in Bordeaux and custodian vicar in the Holy Land.

Recognized as Blessed by the Catholic Church, his feast day is celebrated on August 5 in Canada and on August 4 elsewhere.

Youth and Education

At the age of 10, Frédéric Janssoone lost his father.

In 1852, he began his secondary studies at the Hazebrouck college, while his brother Pierre pursued philosophy studies at the Grand Séminaire of Cambrai.

In 1856, he became a traveling salesman in the textile industry in Estaires after interrupting his studies to support his mother. When she passed away at the age of 23, he decided to return to his studies and complete them.

Entry into the Franciscans

In June 1864, he joined the Observant Franciscans, which he had discovered through the Third Order, and he was ordained a priest on August 17, 1870. He then held various ministries: military chaplain for a few months, novice master in Branday, and later superior in Bordeaux, a house he founded in 1871 with two other confreres.

Shortly thereafter, he left for the Holy Land, where he served as custodian vicar from 1878 to 1888.

Journey to Canada and Foundation of the Commissariat

In 1881-1882, Frédéric Janssoone traveled to Canada at the invitation of Abbé Provancher, the parish priest of Cap-Rouge near Quebec. However, his intervention did not receive the approval of Bishop Taschereau. Eventually, in Trois-Rivières, he decided to establish the Commissariat of the Holy Land in 1888, with the help of Abbé Luc Désilets.

On June 13, 1888, he settled in Quebec, in the parish of Notre-Dame du Cap in Trois-Rivières. He worked there until the arrival of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 1902 and passed away from stomach cancer on August 4, 1916.

Works and Ministries

Throughout his life, Frédéric Janssoone was involved in numerous activities, including:

  • Preaching: He preached at Cap-de-la-Madeleine, at the Sanctuary of Reparation in Pointe-aux-Trembles in Montreal, and with the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Quebec and throughout the province.

  • Writing: He wrote articles for the Annales du Très Saint Rosaire and the Revue eucharistique, mariale et antonienne, which he founded in 1892, as well as for many popular devotional magazines.

  • Edifying Books: He authored works such as La Vie de Notre-Seigneur (The Life of Our Lord) and La Vie de Saint François (The Life of Saint Francis).

  • Management: He managed the Commissariat of the Holy Land, overseeing its direction and financing.

  • Development of Pilgrimages: He played a central role in organizing and promoting pilgrimages to the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame-du-Cap.

Miracles

The Miracle of the Eyes

On June 22, 1888, around 7 p.m., three men went to the small church recently dedicated to the Virgin of the Rosary at the Sanctuary of Notre-Dame du Cap to pray: Abbé Désilets, Father Frédéric, and Mr. Pierre Lacroix. During their prayer, an extraordinary event occurred, which Father Frédéric himself recounted:

“The statue of the Virgin, usually depicted with her eyes completely lowered, had her eyes wide open. The Virgin's gaze was fixed, looking straight ahead at her height. It was hard to believe it was an illusion: her face was fully illuminated by the rays of the sun passing through a window, perfectly lighting the entire sanctuary. Her eyes were black, well-formed, in perfect harmony with her face. This gaze had the expression of a living person, combining severity and sadness. This prodigy lasted about five to ten minutes.”

This account of the miraculous event is significant in the context of Father Frédéric's legacy, reflecting the profound faith and spirituality associated with his ministry.

Beatification

Known as "Blessed Father Frédéric" in Quebec, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 25, 1988.

For further details on his life and the significance of his beatification, you can check out additional resources such as Marians of the Immaculate Conception and Franciscan Focus.

Feast

  • Official Date: August 4.

  • In Canada, the celebration is observed on August 5.

Citations

“You sent us a saint; a saint and a religious of extraordinary power. He is literally being disputed over. The sick seek him out and follow him everywhere. He is a man of God. The closer you get to this man, the more you venerate and admire him. If you see his superiors, you can assure them that he lives like a saint. One must live with this extraordinary man to see the virtues, intelligence, heart, and nobility that he possesses.”
— Luc Désilets

“Father Frédéric embodies the spirituality of the Catholic revival of the mid-19th century, which is based on confraternities, preaching aimed at conversion, and fidelity to the obligations of religion.”
— Hermann Giguère

“His originality will remain in having given, until the end, testimony to the primacy of the supernatural and the spiritual, ardently defended and announced to thousands of people in a popular language and with means that reached and nourished them.”
— Hermann Giguère

Bibliography

The books written by Father Frédéric include:

  • Vie de la Bienheureuse Jeanne-Marie Maillé du 3e ordre franciscain (1871);

  • Le troisième ordre franciscain, sa règle, son excellence (1879);

  • Notice historique sur l’œuvre de Terre sainte (1882);

  • Le chemin de croix à Jérusalem (1882);

  • La règle du 3e ordre (1892);

  • Vie de Notre-Seigneur Jésus-Christ (1894) – tirage record de 42 000 exemplaires ;

  • Les 14 naufragés de Saint-Alban (1894);

  • Vie de Saint François d’Assise (1894);

  • La vie du Frère Didace, récollet (1894);

  • Le mois du Très Saint Rosaire (1895);

  • La bonne Sainte Anne, sa vie, ses miracles, ses sanctuaires (1896);

  • La vie de Saint Antoine de Padoue (1896);

  • La neuvaine au Saint-Esprit (1897);

  • L’Égypte et les Franciscains (1897);

  • Saint Joseph, sa vie, son culte (1902);

  • Vie de la Très Sainte Vierge Marie (1904);

  • Saint Antoine et les petits enfants (1905);

  • Album de Terre sainte (1905);

  • Le parterre angélique ou choix de merveilles tirées de la Vie des Saints à l’usage de la jeunesse (1905);

  • Le ciel, séjour des élus (1912);

  • Mon premier voyage au Canada, 1881-1882 (1946);

  • Journal de voyage, France, Italie, Palestine, 1876-1877 (1946).

These works reflect Father Frédéric's deep commitment to Franciscan spirituality and his role in promoting Catholic teachings and the history of the Church. His writings span various themes, including hagiography, spirituality, and historical accounts of the Holy Land.

Books Written About Father Frédéric:

  • Le Père Frédéric de Ghyvelde / Mathieu M. Daunais (1926);

  • Vie illustrée du Bon Père Frédéric Janssoone / Mathieu M. Daunais (1934);

  • Les manuscrits du R. P. Frédéric Janssoone, OFM / Hugolin Lemay (1935).

  • Le Serviteur de Dieu Père Frédéric de Ghyvelde et Bethléem /Paul-Eugène Trudel (1947).

  • Le R. P. Frédéric Janssoone / Léon Moreel (1951).

  • Le Père Frédéric Janssoone / Romain Légaré (1953).

  • Un témoin de l’autre monde / Onésime Lamontagne (1960).

  • Un grand serviteur de la Terre sainte / Romain Légaré (1965).

  • Pages choisies du Père Frédéric Janssoone / Romain Légaré (1972).

  • Le Bon Père Frédéric et Trois-Rivières / Romain Légaré (1975)

  • La Positio / Congrégation pour la Cause des saints (1978)

  • Le Père Frédéric Janssoone de Ghyvelde / Robert Noote (1983)

  • Le Bon Père Frédéric / Constantin Baillargeon (1988)

  • Frédéric Janssoone de Ghyvelde, Franciscain, Apôtre du Christ en trois continents / Jean-François Motte (1988)

  • Le goût de Dieu / André Dumont (1989)

  • Le Père Frédéric Janssoone à Ghyvelde en Flandre / Robert Noote (1995).

  • Le Bienheureux Frédéric / Roger Poudrier (2001)

  • Guide et prières, Musée Frédéric Janssoone / Gentil Turcotte (2003)

These works encompass various aspects of Father Frédéric's life, spirituality, and contributions to the Franciscan order and the Catholic Church. They provide insights into his teachings, the context of his work, and his lasting impact on the community.