Francis Xavier Kroot, was a missionary priest of the Saint Joseph's Missionary Society of Mill Hill and founder of the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima. He was declared Servant of God on 25 July 2017.[1]


Francis Xavier Kroot

M.H.M.
Monsignor
Born7 December 1854
Zwolle, Holland
DiedJanuary 5, 1900(1900-01-05) (aged 45)
Hyeres, France
Venerated inRoman Catholicism
Beatified25 July 2017

Early life

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Francis was born to Henry Kroot and Joanne Schrauwerson on 7 December 1854 at Zwolle, Holland. He attended a Catholic boarding school at Roermond, Holland, where he studied music, and calligraphy and mastered French, German and Italian.[2][3]

Priesthood

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Francis studied at the minor seminary at Culemborg and completed his philosophy and theology from St. Josephs Seminary, Mill Hill London. He was ordained a priest on 8 June 1878 by Herbert Vaughan.[2][3]

Missionary and founder

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On 8 August 1878, Francis was sent to Madras, India as a missionary priest where he served as Seminary Rector at Nellore. In 1897 he served as the Army Chaplain of Fort St. George, Madras, and also an Editor of Catholic Watchman magazine. He founded the congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima on 8 February 1893 at Bellary, Karnataka.[2][3][4]

Death

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Due to health issues, Francis, had to return to Europe for treatment. He died at the St. Mary of the Angels' Hospital, at Hyeres, France on 5 January 1900. His mortal remains were brought back to Pune, India and interred at Fatima Sisters Generalate chapel in June 1988.[2][3]

Canonisation

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Francis was declared Servant of God on 25 July 2017.[5][6][3][7]

References

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  1. ^ Borst, James. From Holland with Love: The Life of a Mill Hill Missionary. ISBN 8171091962.
  2. ^ a b c d "Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima - Founder". www.fatimasisterspune.org. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Servent of God". www.fatimasisterspune.org. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  4. ^ "Sisters of Our Lady of Fatima | Archdiocese of Gandhinagar". archgandhinagar.org. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  5. ^ "Saints & Blessed – CCBI". Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  6. ^ "1900". newsaints.faithweb.com. Retrieved 2020-12-01.
  7. ^ ":: Bellary Diocese ::". bellarydiocese.in. Retrieved 2020-12-01.