The monastery village of Steyl is situated on the River Maas, close to Venlo in Dutch Limburg.
The founder of the monastery complex is Arnold Janssen (1837-1909), who was born in Goch, Germany. On 15 August 1861, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, he was ordained a priest. Arnold Janssen is the pioneer of modern missionary organisation in Europe. He wants to involve German-speaking Catholics in missionary work. However, he faces obstacles in carrying this out in Germany. This is due to the German “Kulturkampf” (1871-1887), which led to a fierce confrontation between Church and State. The struggle was aimed against Catholic cultural heritage in schools and Catholic ideas. Consequently, the establishment of a mission house in Germany was not permitted. As a result, Arnold Janssen relocated to the Netherlands and founded the first German missionary congregation for men in Steyl, Dutch Limburg, on 8 September 1875, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary.
In 1889, Arnold Janssen founded the Mission Sisters of Steyl; the Servants of the Holy Spirit. These sisters are dressed in blue and are known as the blue sisters of the Sacred Heart Monastery. In the monastery's hall, there is an overview of the congregation's worldwide branches. A large garden is attached to this monastery, which contains a Lourdes grotto. However, the domain is not freely accessible.
In 1896, Arnold Janssen founded the organisation of the Adoration Sisters of Steyl; the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration. These sisters wear a light red robe, symbolising the love of the Holy Spirit. The interior of the convent chapel of these sisters can partly be seen from the side chapel, as this space is intended for visitors.
The result of establishing the three congregations is that many thousands of missionaries and mission sisters from Steyl are active worldwide, and that remains so to this day.
Arnold Janssen was a great devotee of angels, as evidenced by the presence of angel images in the monastery buildings and the naming of the double church, among other things, which is dedicated to Saint Michael. This church is located at the St. Michael's Mission House for fathers and brothers. The lower and upper churches were built to form a double church. This was due to limited space and a great need for church services.
Arnold Janssen also organises retreats (periods of seclusion for people to, for example, pray and reflect), sets up a printing press with press apostolate, and also introduces a lay apostolate.
Arnold Janssen's tomb is located in the lower church of the double church of Saint Michael and rests on 3 supports. The bearers of the sarcophagus symbolise the 3 religious orders, which he conceived and co-founded. On the lid of the tombstone, besides his name, birth and death year, are also mentioned the 3 words that characterise him, namely PATER (father), DUX (leader), and FUNDATOR (founder). From Rome, Pope John Paul II declared Arnold Janssen a saint in 2003.
Not only is Arnold Janssen important in the founding and organisation of the 3 missionary congregations, but also particularly forceful women, such as Aldolfine Tönnies, Helena Stollenwerk and Hendrina Stenmanns.
Aldolfine Tönnies (1862-1934) was born in Horst-Emscher, Germany (now Gelsenkirchen-Horst). She joined the Steyl missionary sisters in 1891, taking the name Maria Michaele. In 1896, this sister was a co-founder and the first Mother Superior of the cloistered sisters’ organisation; the Servants of the Holy Spirit of Perpetual Adoration. These sisters live in seclusion (enclosure). As Superior General, she founded many convents across the globe. The organ in the cloistered chapel of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration was installed in 1933. The first requiem Mass, accompanied by the organ, took place on 28 February 1934. It was then the funeral service for Mother Maria Michaele.
The Steyl Mission Sisters were founded in 1889. A co-foundress is Anna Helena Stollenwerk (1852-1900). She was born in Rollesbroich, Germany. Helena Stollenwerk came to the Mission House in Steyl in 1882 and received the name Sister Maria. She became the leader of the mission sisters. In 1898, Helena Stollenwerk joined the Adoration Sisters of Steyl.
Another co-foundress of the Mission Sisters of Steyl is Hendrina Stenmanns (1852-1903), who was born in Issum, Germany. In 1884, Hendrina Stenmanns joined the St. Michael mission house in Steyl and received the name Sister Josefa. In 1898, she went to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, where she became superior.
In and around the monastery complexes, it is a good place to stay for prayer. There are also statues and grottoes to see, such as in the monastery garden of the Mission House.
