Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec
Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec (born 1293 AD in Ruisbroek, Brabant, Belgium; died December 2, 1381 AD in Groenendaal, Brabant, Belgium), also known as Jan Ruusbroec or John of Ruusbroec, was a Flemish Catholic mystic and Augustinian canon who is one of the greatest mystics in the history of Christian spirituality. Author of the Spiritual Espousals and other mystical treatises, he founded the Augustinian Canons community of Groenendaal which influenced the Devotio Moderna movement. He was beatified by Pope Pius X on December 1, 1908. His feast day is December 2.
Stored in Cargo: Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec
| Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | December 02 |
| Profession | Flemish Catholic mystic, priest, and Augustinian Canon Regular; born Ruisbroek Brabant 1293; ordained priest Brussels; served Brussels Cathedral chapter 26 years; withdrew to Groenendaal 1343; founded Augustinian Canons community; Spiritual Espousals and other mystical treatises; Admirable Doctor; died Groenendaal December 2 1381; beatified Pope Pius X December 1 1908; feast December 2 |
| Rel. Affiliation | Catholic Church; Augustinian Canons Regular (Canons of the Lateran; CRSA); Flemish mystical tradition; Groenendaal; Brabant; Belgium; Devotio Moderna movement |
| Patronage | Belgium; Flanders; Brabant; Flemish Catholics; mystics; mystical theology; Flemish language culture; Augustinian canons; contemplatives; those seeking union with God; the Devotio Moderna tradition |
| Attributes | Augustinian canon's habit (black); December 2 feast; Groenendaal setting (Sonian Forest); Flemish writing tradition; Spiritual Espousals manuscript; Trinity imagery (three peaks/flame); mystical light; Advent context |
| Birthplace | Ruisbroek, Brabant, Belgium |
| Death Place | Groenendaal, Brabant, Belgium |
| Cause of Death | Natural death; died December 2, 1381, in Groenendaal, Brabant, Belgium; Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec (Dutch: Zalige Jan van Ruusbroec; Flemish: Ruusbroec; Latin: Joannes de Ruysbroeck; also John of Ruusbroec; the Admirable Doctor) was a Flemish Catholic mystic, priest, and Augustinian canon; author of the Spiritual Espousals (Die geestelike brulocht) and other mystical treatises; founder of the Groenendaal community; beatified Pope Pius X December 1 1908; feast December 2 |
| Primary Shrine | Groenendaal, Brabant, Belgium; beatified Pope Pius X December 1 1908; feast December 2 |
| Liturgical Class | Not in universal Roman calendar; December 2 feast locally in Belgium and in the Augustinian Canons tradition |
| Historic Class | Not in 1962 calendar |
Biography
Jan van Ruusbroec was born in 1293 in Ruisbroek, Brabant (present-day Belgium). He moved to Brussels at age 11 to be educated by his uncle, a cathedral canon. Ordained a priest, he served at the Brussels Cathedral for 26 years before withdrawing in 1343 to the forest of Groenendaal, where he founded an Augustinian Canons community.
At Groenendaal he wrote his major mystical works, including the Spiritual Espousals (Die geestelike brulocht), a systematic account of the contemplative life culminating in mystical union with the Trinity. His community influenced the Devotio Moderna reform movement and indirectly Thomas à Kempis' Imitation of Christ.
He died December 2, 1381, in Groenendaal. He was beatified by Pope Pius X on December 1, 1908, and is known as the "Admirable Doctor." His feast day is December 2.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Ruisbroek, Brabant, Belgium
Death location: Groenendaal, Brabant, Belgium
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Parishes
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Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| The Secret Story of Blessed Jan van Ruusbroec: The Mystic Who Saw the Fire of Divine Love | 15–30 minutes | Biographies of the Saints |
Shrines
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Feast day
December 2
Prayers
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