Blessed John Van Ruysbroeck

Biography

Blessed John Van Ruysbroeck, also known as John Ruysbroeck, Jan van Ruusbroec, Jan van Ruysbroek, John the Admirable Doctor, or John the Divine Doctor, was born in 1293 near Brussels, Belgium. While not much is known about his father, his mother was a devout woman who later entered a convent.

At the age of eleven, John went to live with his uncle, Father John Hinckaert, at Saint Gudule's in Brussels. Under his uncle's guidance, John received a thorough education and grew in his love for God and the Church. He was ordained a priest in 1317 and served as a chaplain at Saint Gudule's for a remarkable 26 years, ministering to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

During his time at Saint Gudule's, John encountered pamphlets spreading heretical teachings. Esteeming the truth and purity of the faith, he took it upon himself to write in response to these false mysticisms. Although none of these writings have survived to this day, they are said to have played a significant role in combating the spread of heresy during that era.

In 1343, John and his uncle retired from the world and went to live in a hermitage at Groenendael. As word of John's wisdom and holiness spread, like-minded individuals were drawn to join him in this contemplative life. Eventually, the community of hermits founded by John and his companions became a formal community of Augustinian canons regular on March 13, 1349, with John serving as its prior.

The hermitage at Groenendael became a place of refuge and spiritual guidance for many people, who sought solace and direction from John and the canons. John, known for his extreme austerity and spiritual discipline, became renowned as a sublime contemplative and a skilled director of souls. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, he resumed his writing, which included profound works on mysticism and the spiritual life. His writings distinguished him as the greatest of the Flemish mystical writers of his time.

In representations of Blessed John Van Ruysbroeck, he is often depicted wearing the canonical habit of the Augustinian canons regular. One common portrayal shows him seated in a forest, with his writing tablet on his knee, enraptured in ecstasy and enveloped in flames. These flames symbolize his intense mystical experiences and the transformative fire of divine love, while the tree under which he rests remains unharmed, representing the mystical union with God that he experienced.

Blessed John Van Ruysbroeck died on 2nd December 1381 at Groenendael of natural causes. His relics were initially translated to Saint Gudule's in Brussels in 1783, but unfortunately, they were later lost or destroyed during the French Revolution.

Pope Pius X beatified John Van Ruysbroeck on 1st December 1908, recognizing his exemplary life of holiness and his significant contributions to mystical theology. Although he is not currently venerated on a specific feast day, his memory and writings continue to inspire seekers of God and those interested in the mystical tradition.