Giustino de Jacobis
Giustino de Jacobis was an Italian Catholic bishop and a member of the Congregation of the Mission. He is remembered for his extensive missionary work in Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea), where he established Catholic missions and laid the groundwork for the Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Churches. His efforts led to his imprisonment and exile but also resulted in his eventual canonization.
- Feast Day
- October 26
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Eritrea
Key Facts
- ›He was born on October 9, 1800, in San Fele, Italy.
- ›He entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1818 and was ordained a priest in 1824.
- ›In 1839, he was appointed Prefect Apostolic of Ethiopia, tasked with establishing Catholic missions.
- ›He was appointed Titular Bishop of Nilopolis and Vicar Apostolic of Abyssinia in 1847, accepting the episcopal consecration in secret in 1849.
- ›He founded schools for native clergy, contributing to the formation of the Ethiopian Catholic Church and the Eritrean Catholic Church.
- ›He died of fever in 1860 in Hebo, Eritrea, while attempting to recover his health.
Justin de Jacobis
About Giustino de Jacobis
Giustino Sebastiano Pasquale de Jacobis, CM (1800–1860), known in English as Justin de Jacobis, was an Italian Catholic bishop and a member of the Congregation of the Mission. He is primarily remembered for his extensive missionary work in Abyssinia, which encompassed modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, where he played a pivotal role in establishing Catholic missions and laying the groundwork for the Ethiopian Catholic Church and the Eritrean Catholic Church.
Life and Ministry
Born in San Fele, Italy, on October 9, 1800, Giustino de Jacobis entered the Congregation of the Mission in Naples in 1818. He was ordained a priest in 1824 and served in various pastoral roles in Italy before being appointed in 1839 as the first Prefect Apostolic of Ethiopia. His mission was to establish Catholic presence and evangelize in the region. He began his work in Adwa, celebrating liturgy in the local language and following the Alexandrian Rite. After nearly a decade of successful missionary efforts, he was appointed Titular Bishop of Nilopolis and Vicar Apostolic in 1847, though he did not accept the episcopal consecration until 1849, which was performed in secret.
Jacobis was dedicated to developing a local clergy, founding schools in Agame and Akele Guzay for the training of native priests. His missionary activities, however, led to opposition from Ethiopian Orthodox figures, including Patriarch Abuna Salama III, and Emperor Tewodros II, resulting in his imprisonment and exile. Despite facing persecution, he successfully founded numerous Catholic missions.
Death and Legacy
Giustino de Jacobis died of fever in 1860 in Hebo, Eritrea, while en route to Halai, where he had hoped to regain his health. He is venerated for his pioneering missionary work in East Africa, his establishment of educational institutions for native clergy, and his foundational role in the development of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Churches.
Sainthood
The process for his canonization began in Ethiopia in 1891. His writings were approved by theologians in 1902. Giustino de Jacobis was declared Venerable on July 28, 1935, by Pope Pius XI, who recognized his heroic virtue. He was beatified by Pope Pius XII on June 25, 1939, and subsequently canonized as a saint by Pope Paul VI on October 26, 1975.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Giustino de Jacobis?
Giustino de Jacobis was an Italian Catholic bishop and a member of the Congregation of the Mission. He served as the Apostolic Vicar of Abyssinia and is known for his extensive missionary work in the region.
What was Giustino de Jacobis's main contribution?
He is chiefly remembered for founding Catholic missions in Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea) and establishing schools for the training of a native priesthood. This work laid the beginnings of the Ethiopian Catholic Church and the Eritrean Catholic Church.
Did Giustino de Jacobis face opposition?
Yes, his missionary efforts encountered opposition from Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch Abuna Salama III and Emperor Tewodros II, which led to his imprisonment and exile.
When was Giustino de Jacobis canonized?
Giustino de Jacobis was beatified by Pope Paul XII on June 25, 1939, and canonized as a saint by Pope Paul VI on October 26, 1975.
Where did Giustino de Jacobis minister?
He ministered primarily in Abyssinia, working in areas such as Adwa, Agame, and Akele Guzay, which now form parts of modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Related Saints
John Gabriel Perboyre
John Gabriel Perboyre was a French Catholic priest of the Congregation of the Mission who served as a missionary in China. He is remembered for his martyrdom in China and subsequent canonization by Pope John Paul II.
Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul was a French Catholic priest renowned for his dedication to serving the poor. He is best known for founding the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians or Lazarists) and the Daughters of Charity, organizations that continue to serve the needy. His compassion, humility, and generosity have led to his veneration as a saint.
José Maria de Yermo y Parres
José María de Yermo y Parres was a Mexican Roman Catholic priest and founder of the Servants of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of the Poor. He dedicated his life to serving abandoned children and the poor, establishing institutions to meet their spiritual and material needs. He is remembered for his founding of a religious order and his canonization by Pope John Paul II.