Background
He was born at Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria 1489, died at Cologne on 11 August 1539.
He was born at Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria 1489, died at Cologne on 11 August 1539.
University of Cologne.
His family name was Gerecht, of which Justus is merely a Latin translation. The appellation, however, by which he is generally known is that of Lanspergius (latinization "of Landsberg"), from his birthplace. He was named novice-master there in 1520, and in 1530 became prior of the Charterhouse of Cantave near Juliers, where according to Hartzheim, he was also preacher (concionator) to the Court of William, Duke of Juliers, and confessor to the duke"s mother.
The unhealthy climate of that country, together with the fatigue resulting from his continuous literary labors and his excessive austerities, so ruined his health, already impaired by various internal complaints, that in 1534, he had to return to Cologne, where a few years later he was named sub-prior and remained in that office until his death.
He was a monk of saintly life, employing all the time he could spare from his duties towards others in prayer, contemplation and writing on ascetical and mystical subjects.
Among his productions the only ones of a controversial kind are two dissertations against Lutheran errors (from the Catholic point of view) and in defense of the monastic life.