Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen
Spanish Discalced Carmelite, missionary in India, and founder of the magazine La Obra Máxima, declared Venerable in 1996.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Birth, family, and religious formation of Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen in the Spanish Basque Country.
Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen (known in religion as John Vincent of Jesus Mary) was born on July 19, 1862, in Bérriz, in the province of Biscay in the Spanish Basque Country. The second of a Christian family of eight children, he studied under Sebastian Gabiola and then the parish priest Jose Maria Basterra. Attracted to religious life, he entered the novitiate of the Discalced Carmelites at the convent of Larrea in November 1877, received the habit there on December 1, 1877, and made his first profession on December 10, 1878. After studies in philosophy in Burgos, he made his solemn profession on December 11, 1881, in Markina, where he studied theology before being ordained a priest on March 21, 1885, in Vitoria.
Life and work
Pastoral activities in Spain, mission in India, and foundation of the magazine La Obra Máxima.
After his ordination, Father Juan Vicente exercised various pastoral duties in Spain, notably as prior in Valencia and Burgos, where he founded the "Dominical League" and the "Crusade against blasphemy." In 1897, he participated in the restoration of eremitic life at the Holy Desert of Herrera and founded the newspaper El Castellano in 1900. Driven by missionary zeal, he left for India in 1900. For seventeen years, he devoted himself to evangelization in the regions of Bombay, Goa, and Verapoly, publishing a Latin-Malayalam grammar in 1904. Returning to Spain in 1917 for health reasons, he founded the missionary magazine La Obra Máxima in Pamplona in 1921, which met with great success, and traveled to America in 1926 to promote missionary cooperation.
Journey toward holiness
Illness experienced as a spiritual offering and the final years of Father Jean Vincent.
On May 25, 1935, Father Jean Vincent was struck by a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He transformed his illness into a spiritual offering for the missions, leading a life of silent prayer and serene acceptance at the convent of San Sebastián. On the night of February 19, 1943, a new bout of paralysis deprived him of his speech. After a few days of agony experienced in deep union with the Cross, he passed away peacefully on February 27, 1943, at the age of 80.
Beatification and canonization
Recognition of the heroic nature of his virtues and declaration as Venerable by Pope John Paul II.
The reputation for holiness of Father Juan Vicente led to the opening of his cause for beatification in 1950. His mortal remains were transferred in April 1950 to the church of the Discalced Carmelite convent in San Sebastián. After the examination of his writings and the official introduction of his cause in 1978, Pope John Paul II signed the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues on January 12, 1996, officially declaring him Venerable.
Spirituality and legacy
The union of contemplation and action, and the endurance of the magazine La Obra Máxima.
The spirituality of the Venerable John Vincent rests on a harmonious synthesis between eremitic contemplation and missionary action, considering deep prayer as the indispensable engine of apostolic zeal. His most visible legacy remains the magazine and missionary center La Obra Máxima, which celebrated its centenary in 2021 and continues to support Carmelite missions throughout the world.
Frequently asked questions about Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen
Who was Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen?
Spanish Discalced Carmelite, missionary in India, and founder of the magazine La Obra Máxima, declared Venerable in 1996.
Which saints were contemporaries of Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen die?
Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen died around 1862.
What are the other names of Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen?
Other forms of the name: Jean Vincent de Jésus Marie, Juan Vicente de Jesús María and Juan Vicente Zengotita-Bengoa y Lasuen.
Who are the relatives of Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen?
Relatives of Juan Vicente Zengotitabengoa Lausen: Francisco Zengotita-Bengoa (father), Dominica Petra de Lasuen (mother) and Deogracias Ana Josefa (sœur Mercedes de l'Enfant Jésus) (sister).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1862-1943
- Decree of venerability by John Paul II