John of Ruysbroeck
Brabantian mystic and writer (1293–1381)
Feast: 2 December (not on the universal Roman calendar; kept in the Roman Martyrology or local calendars)
Who they were
John of Ruysbroeck, the foremost Flemish mystic, left home at eleven to be taught by his uncle, a saintly canon of St Gudule's in Brussels. Ordained in 1317, he lived with his uncle in great austerity and retirement for twenty-six years.
In 1343 the three friends withdrew to the hermitage of Groenendael in the forest of Soignes, which became the motherhouse of a congregation; his writings shaped the devotional movement of Gerard Groote. He died at Groenendael on 2 December 1381 and was honoured as a saint.
The miracles
The Catholic Encyclopedia mentions his beatification but gives no date.
Why that counted as sanctity
A great mystic who taught the way of union with God.
The cause
The cause continues. No postulation address is published here yet. Favours received through this person’s intercession, and offers of help, are best sent to the religious order or congregation they belonged to, or to the diocese where the cause was opened; either will pass them to the postulation.
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), via New Advent - Blessed John of Ruysbroeck
- Wikidata Q920312 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — John of Ruusbroec (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.