Francis Wichmans
Encyclopedia
Francis Wichmans (born at Antwerp, 1596; died 1661) was a Belgian Norbertine abbot.
Recalled to the abbey, he filled the offices of master of novices
and circator. In 1630 he was made parish priest of Mierlo
, and rural dean
of Helmond
. After the taking of 's-Hertogenbosch by the Dutch Protestants in 1629, Bishop Ophovius was obliged to leave his city, and resided at Geldrop
, three miles from Mierlo. The bishop's Diarium shows that Ophovius conferred almost daily with Wichmans on the affairs of his diocese.
In 1632 Wichmans was transferred to the parish of Tilburg
, in the same diocese, and was made rural dean of Hilvarenbeek
. In 1634 the Retorsion laws were made, whereby Catholic priests were expelled, their churches confiscated and handed over to Protestant preachers. Wichmans then resided at Alphen
, a village just outside the boundaries and six miles from Tilburg. From this place he administered his parish, always at the risk of his liberty and even his life.
In 1642 Wichmans was elected coadjutor to Abbot Verbraken, whose successor he became in 1644. He was also named a member of the Permanent Committee of the States of Brabant
.
Wichmans promoted education in his abbey; in 1647 six of his religious graduated at Louvain, and a seventh in Rome. He erected or decorated several chapels in honour of the Blessed Virgin.
Life
Having finished his classical studies, he received the white habit in the Norbertine Abbey of Tongerloo, Belgium, 21 September 1612. Ordained priest 4 March 1620, he was sent to the University of Louvain, where he graduated as bachelor of theology.Recalled to the abbey, he filled the offices of master of novices
Master of novices
The master of novices or novice master is a term used in the Roman Catholic Church to refer those religious to whom is committed the training of the novices and the government of the novitiate of a religious order or congregation...
and circator. In 1630 he was made parish priest of Mierlo
Mierlo
Mierlo is a town in the southern Netherlands, in the province of North Brabant. Until 2004, it was a separate municipality that covers an area of . It is now part of Geldrop-Mierlo. Mierlo is home to a few interesting buildings, for example the old Council house and the Windmill in the centre of...
, and rural dean
Rural Dean
In the Anglican Communion and the Roman Catholic Church, a Rural Dean presides over a Rural Deanery .-Origins and usage:...
of Helmond
Helmond
Helmond is a municipality and a city in the province of North Brabant in the southern Netherlands.- Quarters and Neighbourhoods :*Quarter 11 Inner City**Neighbourhood 0 Centrum**Neighbourhood 2 Leonardus**Neighbourhood 3 Heipoort...
. After the taking of 's-Hertogenbosch by the Dutch Protestants in 1629, Bishop Ophovius was obliged to leave his city, and resided at Geldrop
Geldrop
Geldrop is a town in the Dutch province of North Brabant. It is located in the municipality of Geldrop-Mierlo.Geldrop was a separate municipality until 2004, when it merged with Mierlo...
, three miles from Mierlo. The bishop's Diarium shows that Ophovius conferred almost daily with Wichmans on the affairs of his diocese.
In 1632 Wichmans was transferred to the parish of Tilburg
Tilburg
Tilburg is a landlocked municipality and a city in the Netherlands, located in the southern province of Noord-Brabant.Tilburg municipality also includes the villages of Berkel-Enschot and Udenhout....
, in the same diocese, and was made rural dean of Hilvarenbeek
Hilvarenbeek
Hilvarenbeek is a municipality and a town in the south of the Netherlands, along the border with Belgium.- Population centres :The municipality of Hilvarenbeek also includes the following villages with their own churches: Baarschot, Biest-Houtakker, Diessen, Esbeek and Haghorst.In addition, the...
. In 1634 the Retorsion laws were made, whereby Catholic priests were expelled, their churches confiscated and handed over to Protestant preachers. Wichmans then resided at Alphen
Alphen
Alphen can refer to several towns in the Netherlands:* Alphen aan den Rijn, town in the province of South Holland* Alphen, South Holland, a former municipality, including Alphen aan den Rijn...
, a village just outside the boundaries and six miles from Tilburg. From this place he administered his parish, always at the risk of his liberty and even his life.
In 1642 Wichmans was elected coadjutor to Abbot Verbraken, whose successor he became in 1644. He was also named a member of the Permanent Committee of the States of Brabant
States of Brabant
The States of Brabant were the representation of the three estates: Nobility, Clergy and Commons to the court of the Duke of Brabant. These three estates were also called the States. Supported by the economic strength of the cities Antwerp, Brussels and Leuven, the States always were an important...
.
Wichmans promoted education in his abbey; in 1647 six of his religious graduated at Louvain, and a seventh in Rome. He erected or decorated several chapels in honour of the Blessed Virgin.