Born in 1837 in Goch, Germany; in 1861 ordained to the priesthood in Münster diocese;
for many years editor of Little Messenger of the Heart of Jesus; in 1874 got permission to open
mission house in diocese of Roermond, Holland (not possible in Germany at that time);
on 8th September 1875 opened first SVD mission house in Steyl; in 1885 during elected superior general
of the Society of the Divine Word for life; a year later together with sister Helena Stollenwerk founded
congreagation of Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters; in 1896 founded Holy Spirit Sisters of Perpetual
Adoration; died in 1909; beatified in 1975, canonized in October 2003