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.
| Latin: Institutum Iosephitarum Gerardimontensium[2] | |
 Constant Van Crombrugghe | |
| Abbreviation | Post-nominal letters: C.J. |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Josephites |
| Established | May 1st, 1817[2] |
| Founder | Fr. Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe[2] |
| Founded at | Ghent, Belgium |
| Type | Clerical Religious Congregation of Pontifical Right for Men[3] |
| Headquarters | General Motherhouse Karmelietenstraat 57, Geraardsbergen, Belgium[3] |
| Coordinates | 41° 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 |
| Website | www |
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
editThe 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
editIn 2018, they had 9 houses, with 111 members including 72 priests.[2]
Prelates from their ranks
edit- 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
edit- Founder: Father Constant Guillaume van Crombrugghe (1817) (Belgium)
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See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Institute of the Josephites of Belgium (Institute of Consecrated Life - Men)". www.catholic-hierarchy.org.
- ^ a b c d e f "Josephites of Belgium, C.I." GCatholic.org.
- ^ a b "Josephites of Belgium (C.I.)".
- ^ "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Josephites". www.newadvent.org. Retrieved Sep 13, 2022.
- ^ "Our Schools". www.josephite.community. Retrieved 27 June 2017.