Jeningen, Philipp

JENINGEN, PHILIPP. - German Jesuit, b. at Eichstätt on 5 Jan. 1642, d. in the reputation of sanctity at Ellwangen (Württemberg) on 8 Feb. 1704. Having entered the Society of Jesus in 1663, he was assigned for several years to teaching in the colleges of the Society. It was, however, the small town of Ellwangen that witnessed, for 24 years, the height of the activity and fame of the servant of God, who made the ardor of his interior life overflow there, enriched as well by all the gifts of the mystical life. On a hill overlooking the town, the "Schönenberg," he procured and directed the construction of a great Marian sanctuary, which is still considered today a pearl of the Baroque style.

Not content with thus creating a true center of Marian devotion, J. traveled through the whole surrounding region as a popular missionary in whom the words spoken in detail by the Lord were fulfilled: "In thee I will show how much he can do who truly loves Jesus and Mary." The epitaph of Fr. J. says among other things: "He was an indefatigable missionary in four dioceses. Dead to himself, he seemed to live only for his neighbor, had it not been manifest that he lived only for God alone." His cause of beatification was introduced on 23 March 1945.