A leading figure in the rediscovery of Dutch mysticism and an underappreciated theological high-flyer. Not least, he also became known as a resistance hero. The Titus Brandsma Institute takes its name from Titus Brandsma. He was a multifaceted man and always focused on his fellow man who was less fortunate.
Carmelite priest, educator, scientist and journalist. Titus Brandsma (born Anno Sjoerd) was a multifaceted man. One of the first professors of Philosophy and rector at the Catholic University of Nijmegen.
Professor Brandsma
From the founding of the Catholic University in 1923 until his death in 1942, Titus Brandsma held the position of professor of Philosophy and History of Devotion, especially in Dutch mysticism. The Titus Brandsma Institute was established to continue Titus Brandsma's scholarly activities related to the study of spirituality and mysticism.
Concept of God according to Titus Brandsma
In 1932, Titus Brandsma delivered a speech on the concept of God during the Dies of the Catholic University of Nijmegen, which caused quite a stir. The text is still very relevant (even) today:
Among the many questions I ask myself, none concerns me more than the riddle that developing man, proud of his progress, turns away from God in such large numbers. It is staggering that in our time of so much progress in all kinds of fields we are faced with a God-denial and God-denial that grows like a contagious disease. How has the image of God been so darkened that so many are no longer affected by it? Is there deficiency only on their side? Or is something required of us to make it shine again in brighter light over the world, and may we have hope, that a study of the concept of God will at least alleviate this greatest of all needs?
Productive writer
Titus Brandsma was a prolific writer. St Titus Brandsma O. Carm.'s writings, which are kept in the Titus Brandsma archives of the Dutch Carmelite Institute, include thousands of documents. Brandsma wrote about 700 articles for various publications, but the archive also contains thousands of unpublished articles, speeches, notes and letters. Some of these writings can be found online:
- The complete text of the Dies Speech - and other texts by Titus Brandsma - can be found on our dedicated website (in Dutch): titusbrandsmateksten.nl
- For more information on the life of Titus Brandsma, please visit the website of the Dutch Carmel Province.
Canonisation
On 15 May 2022, Titus Brandsma was canonised. A special and unique event. The Catholic Church announced on Friday 4 March that Pope Francis will canonise Nijmegen professor and priest Titus Brandsma (1881-1942). In late 2021, Pope Francis already recognised the miracle attributed to Brandsma: the healing of American Father Driscoll.
The Titus Brandsma Institute
The Titus Brandsma Institute was founded in 1968 on the basis of a cooperation agreement between Radboud University and the Dutch Carmel Province and with the aim of conducting scientific research into Christian mysticism and spirituality.
The institute takes its name from Titus Brandsma and he still plays an important role within the institute today. An example of this is the study of Titus Brandsma's life and work and how his social commitment and passion for journalism and education are inextricably linked to a spiritual life. The study of spiritual culture in the past and present, and of the various ways in which people have given form and content to their spiritual quest, is central to the TBI.