Rev. Fr John Baptist Lans, C.SS.R. (1808-1886)

Father was born in Haarlem, Holland, on the 15th July, 1808. He was ordained priest on the 16th April, 1833. He laboured on the secular mission for nine years, taking St Alphonsus as his teacher and model. He found in the writings of St Alphonsus the remedy for an undue severity which a Jansenistic spirit would impose on the people. From being a disciple he became a son; for he entered the Redemptorists and made his Vows on St Alphonsus' Feast, August 2nd, 1843. Ten years later he went to England where he was at the end of 1848 appointed superior at Hanley. In 1851, he proceeded to Bishop Eton, and from thence went to Limerick (Ireland) in 1852, for the Mission in St Michaels.

After the erection of the houses in Holland and England into a province, he became Rector of Clapham, and Vice-Provincial. During his life he filled in a firm and fatherly spirit every office, and endeared himself to all who knew him. His devotion to St Joseph was most remarkable. The desire he had long cherished of dying in the month dedicated to his favourite Saint was satisfied. After a most holy life he died a most holy death, 31st March, 1886, in the 78th year of his age. He had built his own monument in erecting the beautiful church at Bishop Eton. There his body reposes under the Lady Chapel, awaiting its glorious resurrection. †