HONG KONG (SE): Father Josse [Joseph] Henri Nijssen of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary [CICM], the former long time chaplain of St. Peter’s Chapel, the Mariner’s Club, died on June 17 at the age of 85, in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, Belgium, the CICM Missionaries reported.
Father Nijssen was born in Zichem, Belgium, on 17 January and made his first vows on 8 December 1957. He was ordained to the priesthood on 5 August 1962 and began working in Hong Kong in 1964 in various parishes including St. Mary’s, Hung Hom; the now defunct Our Lady of the Assumption in Rennie’s Mill [now part of Tseung Kwan O], St. James’ Church, Yau Tong; and served 20 years as chaplain St. Peter’s Chapel until July 2007 when he retired to Belgium. He served in Po Chiu College and later at Po Hoi primary school for 17 years.
Father Nijssen was more than chaplain for the seafarers. He shared their concerns and worried for their welfare. Even on his farewell Mass in Hong Kong on Seafarers Sunday, 8 July 2007, Father Nijssen was raising his concerns for his sheep: “Seafarers need our care more than ever,” he said. “We need to listen and, when necessary, cry out on their behalf. It is not enough just to listen to what is wrong, we need to do something about it.”
He had described his work as a Stella Maris chaplain as inviting seafarers to be open to God’s word. “I’m not here to bring Christ to seafarers in the sense of converting them, but to remind them that he is already with them,” he had said.
The CICM missionaries invite you to attend a memorial Mass to be celebrated at 10.00am on July 2, at St James’ Church.
May Father Nijssen rest in peace.
