Josephites of Belgium

The Institute of the Josephites of Belgium (Latin: Institutum Iosephitarum Gerardimontensium), commonly called Josephites is a Roman Catholic clerical religious congregation of pontifical right for men devoted to the Christian education of the youth It was founded in Ghent Belgium by Canon van Crombrugghe, in 1817. Its members add the nominal letters C.J. after their names to indicate membership in the Institute.

Institute of the Josephites of Belgium[1]
Latin: Institutum Iosephitarum Gerardimontensium[2]
AbbreviationPost-nominal letters: C.J.
NicknameJosephites
EstablishedMay 1st, 1817 (May 1st, 1817)[2]
FounderFr. Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe, CJ[2]
Founded atGhent, Belgium
TypeClerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right for Men[3]
HeadquartersGeneral Motherhouse
Karmelietenstraat 57, Geraardsbergen, Belgium[3]
Coordinates41° 54′ 4.9″ N, 12° 27′ 38.2″ E
Members
122 members (includes 66 priests) as of 2018[2]
Superior General
Fr. Jacob Beya Kadumbu, CJ[2]
Patron saint
St. Joseph
Parent organization
Roman Catholic Church
Websitewww.josephite.community

While their primary apostolate is the education of the youth, they also have a missionary past in Africa. Their headquarters is at Karmelietenstraat 57, 9500 Geraardsbergen, Belgium. The organisation is a Congregation of Pontifical Right.

History

The Josephites were founded in the Diocese of Ghent by Canon Constant van Crombrugghe in 1817. Members of the congregation use the initials "C.J." after their names.

The purpose was the education of children from poorer backgrounds who might not otherwise go to school. The congregation set up a commercial school and an industrial school.[4]

As of 2017 the congregation had established four schools in Belgium, two in England, one in the United States, and nine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.[5]

Statistics

In 2018, they had 9 houses, with 111 members including 72 priests.[2]

Prelates from their ranks
Deceased
  • Marcel Evariste van Rengen, C.J.,
    Apostolic Prefect (1957 – 29 September 1964)
    Bishop of Mweka (Congo-Kinshasa) (29 September 1964 – death 15 March 1988)

Superiors general
  • Founder: Father Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe (1817) (Belgium)

See also

References
  1. "Institute of the Josephites of Belgium (Institute of Consecrated Life - Men)". www.catholic-hierarchy.org.
  2. gcatholic.org/orders/164.htm "Josephites of Belgium, C.I." www.gcatholic.org. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  3. gcatholic.org/orders/164.htm "Josephites of Belgium (C.I.)". {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  4. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Josephites". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved Sep 13, 2022.
  5. "Our Schools". www.josephite.community. Retrieved 27 June 2017.
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