GMA JANSEN
Gerardus Marie Antonius Jansen (cloister name Fr Norbertus)
was born in 1907 in Utrecht, Netherlands.
He entered the Dominican Order, was professed with the name of
Father Norbertus in 1926,
and was ordained in 1931. In 1933 the Dominican friar was sent as missionary
to the Orange Free State in South Africa. He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ,
planted churches and administered sacraments. Father Jansen supported both
temporal and religious education. He served as military chaplain to soldiers
in the SA Union Defence Force in the Garaway Camp near Cairo.
Fr Jansen's pastoral presence was profoundly valued by his parishioners,
and he was known as a dedicated and charitable priest.
At the invitation of Bishop van Velsen OP, Fr Jansen
co-ordinated a correspondence course in theology, which eventually
developed into the Theological Education by Extension College Southern Africa.
In 1967 Fr Jansen was appointed liaison officer with the National Committee
for ecumenical affairs. Fr Jansen authored a number of
books, courses and articles.
Man of God
In response to God's call, Fr Jansen (GMA Jansen) left Holland for Africa.
He brought with him a vision of the future for South Africa.
A true man of God, Fr Jansen brought many to faith in Christ.
He tirelessly labored to teach young and older the great truths of Christianity.
Fr Jansen authored an existential approach to theology in the twentieth century.
The theological legacy of Fr Jansen is so profound that a quotation from his pioneering work
“The Sacramental We” was placed inter alia alongside religious greats such as Ignatius of Antioch,
Basil the Great, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, Pope Gelasius I of Rome,
Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Andrew Murray and F.F. Bruce.
The writings and ministry of Fr Jansen influenced spiritual education
in the latter part of the twentieth century and continues to do so today.
Fr Jansen’s writings have significantly contributed to the body of knowledge
within seminaries, colleges, universities, libraries and the internet.
His training and authorship enabled interested laity to claim their role
within the church with confidence and competence.
Fr Jansen conducted training courses for the empowerment of the laity within the church:
these included education of the Dominican third order,
training for the male deaconate and parish theological education.
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