Inspiring Thoughts Fr. John Maria Haw - A challenge for the new generation...
“Each day must bring me closer to God”.

“When God only carries out his plans with me, it is not important whether I am sick or healthy”.

“Happiness above all! Joy in God. Everything for the glory of God! If this is my motto, I am leading the most wonderful life in the world! Then I have inner peace, heaven already on earth”.

“Just like a child I leave everything to God’s providence, even thr small and smallest things. God guides me!”

“Never deny God anything!”

“To understand and love particularly the small sufferings of the day as the precious sign of his love! To say more often “Thanks be to God” for that! Only let God work at you!”

“I thank God a thousand times with all his creatures for the graces he has showered upon me so far. How good is God. These words I will often repeat”.

“The sublime and glorious aim. Holiness! Oneness with God! This is consequence, joy, peace, happiness, strength, ease, perseverance”.

“To always live in respect for the Holy Trinity who dwells within me”.

“To bear in mind that God’s eyes are resting on me, that the Holy Trinity deep inside my soul lovingly listens to me…”

“I seek to dwell in the presence of God and with God”.

“I must lead a new life, hidden with Jesus in God”.

“I am called to heroism in the service of God, that is to love God”.

“God tests us in his love. Thanks be to God!”

“Patience! Receive everyone with joy! That be my penitential practice… Not seeking extra hardships but rather fidelity in little things! Striving to do everything in the most perfect manner!”

“Talk about the neighbour with modesty, love and great respect! Possibly never talk ill of him! Nor about those who cannot stand me, who harm me or work against me!”

“Tender, devoted love of neighbour, mildness and kindness. With these I conquer hearts for Jesus. Seeing Jesus in the miserable, beggars, sinners, in his sufferings or his degradation!”

“I must be glad and jubilant when I am despised, humiliated and misappreciated. Then I am like Jesus! What am I and what is Jesus?”

“Christ must take shape in me. I must live in Christ and Christ  in me”.

“To do everything with Jesus…”

“I want to sacrifice myself with Jesus…”

“When does Christ the King call us? We are ready”.

“Fervent prayer must accompany all my actions!”

“I will not forget the good preparation for prayer”.

“May God grant … that I learn to pray!”

“My favourite place be in front of the tabernacle, as often and as long as possible”.

“Pray, pray, pray! Prayer shall become the breathing of my soul”.

“Pray steadily! Always in the presence of God with sighs and praise and in love!”

“I will respectfully adore God in my soul”.

“I must feel happy with Christ in the sacrament…”

“If I fervently pray for the St. John’s League and its members I can achieve everything!”

“Come, Lord Jesus, Come!”

“I will only save souls if I practice love”.

“If you were filled with the love of Jesus, how different would be your work!”

“Friendliness and goodness must be educational methods”.

“I must encourage cheerfulness in the house”. 

“I must make good use of each day in all earnestness”.

“Charity wins everything. You must put yourself more into the mind and heart of others”.

“Love, hearty, sympathetic love towards the neighbour”.

“My secret: goodness and humility! With these I win…”

“I must captivate and win all for God through kindness, hearty sharing and readiness to serve”.

“To be most useful to the greatest number possible of souls everyday”.

“To work out everything with her! To undertake everything with her blessing!”

“From her I am expecting everything. But above all, I wish to live entirely for Jesus through her!”

“Following the Saviour who bears the cross, I go with Mary to the alter”.

“To show the love of a mother to all”.

“I fully belong to her. I am the prisoner of her love”.

“Through Mary I succeed in my practice of the presence of God”.

“Mary, help me to live in Jesus and with Jesus and for Jesus!”

“Jesus, living in Mary, come and live in your servants”.

 
 
Founder
A short account of a special life
  • Birth of John Maria Haw on 26th May 1871.
  • As a young priest of the diocese of Trier, he was deeply impressed by the diabolical circle of poverty, alcoholism and lack of faith.
  • He felt he had a “call”, to spread God´s message in a new  way.
  • Consistent with himself and with the blessings of his bishop, he chose his unique way.
  • Helpless people were invited at his  table. He had respect for everybody.
  • He had deep empathy for the suffering the souls.
  • He fought against the social structures of alcoholism.
  • He was drawn to people whose lives were hopeless, and to places where God was forgotten. He always remained a sign of love and hope.
  • His service as a priest, his whole life, thinking, feeling and works were a witness of God´s  saving mercy.
  • In 1919 he founded the "Johannesbund” to promote the Kingdom of Christ at  Leutesdorf am Rhein.
  • Help was urgently needed for the marginalized. He was convinced that lay people should be recognized in the Church. Two religious societies grew out of the co-workers: The Sisters of St. John the Baptist and Mary Queen and the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist.
  • The Nazi government dissolved   the  Society in 1941. It looked as if a thriving work had come to an end.
  • The reconstruction started as soon as the Sisters, Brothers, Fathers, students and co-workers came back from the war, from prison and deportation.
  • Johannes Haw was unbeaten and had an endless confidence in God´s Providence.
  • Fr. John Mary Haw, the “Light House” of the St. John´s league expired on 28th Oct 1949.