RIP: 27/01/2023 - Hamont

Fr. Jan Leenders was born in Alken (BE) on 7 August 1934. Because of his father’s profession, the whole family later moved to the north of the province (Bocholt), where he had a happy childhood. After primary school, he went to the Salvatorian secondary school in Hamont to complete his studies. He felt called to join the Salvatorians and pronounced his first religious vows on 29 September 1954 in Passau, where he had made his novitiate. Then followed seven years of study at the Gregoriana in Rome, where he was ordained a priest on 19 December 1959. Sent to Logroño in Spain, he worked there as a teacher for nine years. From 1970 Fr. Jan was in Hamont as a collaborator and later as director of the Salvatorian Relief Action. When reinforcements were sought for the Salvatorian mission in Caracas (Venezuela), Fr. Jan gladly accepted the challenge, initially for one year, but soon he decided to stay for much longer time: he was a missionary for more than 27 years in Venezuela.There he was the faithful force in the parish chaplaincy of Chuao, Caracas and later in the Andean city of Merida. Plagued by health problems, he came back to Hamont in 2018, where he was welcomed into the community with affection and appropriate care. Fr. Jan was a happy Salvatorian at heart. A close relationship with the Saviour marked his life. His spirit of prayer and faithful observance of the Constitutions were exemplary. He was gentle, honest, pure of heart , seeking peace. He was intelligent and mastered several languages, which the Society gratefully used at international meetings. Slowly his health deteriorated and his physical strength diminished, despite the good care of confreres and nursing services. Still, Fr. Jan looked back gratefully and contentedly on a life that was “fulfilled”. Grateful and satisfied, he wished to meet his Saviour. In this deep trust, he therefore passed away peacefully on 27 January 2023. He was 88 years old and had been a Salvatorian for 68 years.