Background
Johann Baptist Reus was born to Johann and Anna Margareta Reus, on 10 July 1868, in Pottenstein (Fränkische Schweiz), Bavaria. He was the eighth child of 11 children in a poor family.
Pottenstein (near Bayreuth, Germany)
Johann Baptist Reus, house of birth and early years
São Leopoldo (Archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil)
P. João Batista Reus S.J.
São Leopoldo (Archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil)
P. João Batista Reus S.J.
São Leopoldo (Archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil)
P. João Batista Reus S.J.
Johann Baptist Reus was born to Johann and Anna Margareta Reus, on 10 July 1868, in Pottenstein (Fränkische Schweiz), Bavaria. He was the eighth child of 11 children in a poor family.
He went to school in Pottenstein (Fränkische Schweiz) near Bayreuth, Bavaria. Then he continued in the gymnasium in Bamberg, Bavaria.
After completing a year of required military service, he resigned his commission 1890 and entered the Seminary of Bamberg, with an eye to eventually joining the Jesuits.
He was ordained priest on 30 July 1893 in the Bamberg cathedral from 1012 by Archbishop Joseph von Schork and entered the Order of Jesuits shortly thereafter.
From 1894 he studied philosophy and theology in St. Ignatius College, Valkenburg, Netherlands.
In 1900 he was sent to Brazil. He worked as a priest in Rio Grande do Sul until 1912, Porto Alegre until 1913, São Leopoldo until 1914, archdiocese of Porto Alegre.
Beginning from 2 February 1914 his life was teaching and education in generosity and devoutness in São Leopoldo, archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil. His autobiography and diary, written in obedience to superiors, record mystical graces, and visions.
He wrote many books about theology and the natural sciences in many languages: in Portuguese, Spanish, German, Italian and English. His "Diário Espiritual" (spiritual diary) and "Autobiografia" (autobiography) reveal his unique mystical state of being. Already during lifetime he was considered to be a holy priest.
His "Liturgy Course" was a classical text-book used by priests for the purpose of learning the liturgy.
P. João Batista Reus S.J. died in devoutness 21 July 1947 in his eightieth year of life, having served 54 years as a priest and more than 53 years in the Order of Jesuits, in São Leopoldo, archdiocese of Porto Alegre, Brazil.
P. João Batista Reus S.J. is considered a saint by many Roman Catholics of the region.
He preferred to celebrate Mass in private chapel because of his many ecstasies during Mass. Only after fifty years as a member of the priesthood did he agree to celebrate Mass in a public chapel, because a Religion Community asked him to.