A recent daily meditation by the Henri Nouwen Society speaks of Brother Johan Vanhove’s spirit. “If we keep the Lord, his kingdom, his Word and his Gospel in our minds, if this becomes our inner space, we will know what to do. We are then in the House of the Lord.” Xaverian Brothers are called to live the charism of our Founder, Theodore James Ryken, through their personal communion with God’s love and their willingness to give in service to others the particular gifts they have received from God.
Brother Johan spent the past sixty-five years living and growing in the Founder’s charism. Brother entered eternal life on 10 April 2025 strengthened by the Sacrament of Healing and in the company of his loving family and caretakers. Brother Johan is survived by his sister Denise and Maria and their families and other relatives.
Born in Bruges on 6 April 1940, Brother entered the Novitiate of the Xaverian Brothers in Torhout on 15 August 1960. Upon finishing his initial formation, Brother continued his education at University of Leuven. On 15 August 1967, Brother professed his perpetual vows and began teaching at Saint Francis Xavier Institute, De Frères, in Bruges. Brother taught religion and French and was a member of the pastoral team at the Institute. Florent Will, a friend and former colleague, offers a heart-felt tribute to the influence Brother Johan had on his students. Florent expresses eloquently his sadness and warm gratitude for Brother.
Noting that Brother Johan was himself a good student, Flor states that Brother received three great loves while a student at the Institute: “the love for God and our Christian faith, the love for education and that for his fellow human beings.”
In remembering Brother, Flor spoke not only about him, but also directly to him. “You chose a future as a Xaverian Brother, for a life in the service of your fellow brothers, your countless students, colleagues and friends. Their small tokens of appreciation were enough to fill your heart and soul with a quiet happiness.”
“Ryken insisted that his Brothers enter into an intimate relationship with God…” (Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers) Flor gives testimony to that special relationship that Brother Johan had with the Lord. Flor continues, “As a teacher, as an active member of the pastoral work group at school, as an enthusiastic and creative organizer and supervisor of the mountain camps for the first-year students in Austria and Switzerland: you always had a positive attitude.”
Brother Johan was the youngest member of the Belgian Region. He was always supportive of his Brothers. Our Fundamental Principles ask us to “…be compassionate with (your Brothers) in their difficulties, bear with them in their weaknesses, encourage, support and affirm them…” Brother Johan ministered Christ’s love to them. He also served the wider Congregation in the 1990’s as a member of the Life and Mission Committee preparing for a General Chapter of 1995-97.
Brother Johan would organize hiking retreats for youth in the Alps. He was involved regularly in personal retreats at Taizé, France. Brother embraced the spirituality of Taizé and was a leader of a Taizé prayer group at a local Benedictine convent that met every Friday evening in Bruges. Brother would always invite visiting Brothers to those sessions. They were serene yet powerful. He was greatly admired by the Taizé community. Brother was also a member of a number of parish choirs.
After retirement, which for teachers in Belgium is mandatory at age 60, Brother Johan continued to share his love of God by offering his gifts as a language teacher in a program called “Integraal” which is dedicated to welcoming newcomers with guidance and language instruction for non-speakers of Dutch. Brother was truly dedicated to helping the newcomer feel welcome in Flanders.
In the name of the Xaverian Brothers, Brother Daniel Skala, Superior General, expresses gratitude to the medical staff, the management and staff of WZC Herdershove for the wonderful care Brother received. He especially thanks Ingrid Vandamme, a friend of Brother Johan’s, who oversaw his care these past few years. Brother Johan’s Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday 16 April 2025 at 10:00 am at the Church of Christ the King, Bruges Confident that Brother now experiences the full love and peace of Christ whom he made known to many through his life as a Xaverian Brother, we now pray in gratitude for his life.
Prepared by Brother Edward Driscoll, CFX
With special thanks to Florent Will and Frank Demuynck for their contributions about Brother Johan.