Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph

Commemorating the Priestly Ordination of Rev. Fr. M. Wolff

09 Apr 2026 - 30 Apr 2026

At his examination for the subdiaconate, Mathias Wolff distinguished himself by using a memory technique in which he formed a word from the first letters of key points he had to memorise. When asked about the requirements for the valid and worthy reception of the subdiaconate, he closed his eyes and recited more than a dozen conditions in one breath, astonishing the examiner, who quickly recognised his competence. Wolff then received the tonsure, the four minor orders, and the subdiaconate on 9 April 1801, and the diaconate on 5 July, from Mgr. Clemens August De Merle, auxiliary bishop of Cologne. However, he had not yet reached the canonical age of twenty-four required for priestly ordination and had to wait for a papal dispensation. “After having obtained testimony regarding your praiseworthy deeds, your piety and virtue,” so reads the letter of Pope Pius VII, dated 11 April 1802, always carefully preserved by Fr. Wolff, “we wish to grant you this special favour and dispense you from the fifteen months lacking to the required age.” Wolff was ordained a priest on 25 April 1802, marking the culmination of years of preparation and sacrifice. It was an unforgettable day for Fr. Wolff, who could now place the crown upon all those years of effort, varied labour, and often harsh deprivation, in which he had prepared himself with generous love for that great event; unforgettable also for the countless many who, during a span of more than fifty-five years, would share in the blessings of his priestly ministry. (Frans van Hoeck, Levensschets van den E. P. Mathias Wolff S.J., 25-27)

As a priest, Wolff made a resolute decision: “I shall wrench as many souls from the devil as I can.” (Ravening Wolff, 40). He lived this resolve to the fullest. In the words of Fr. Geelen, “Sinners had recourse to him until the end of his life. In a little room near the Church, he sat every day of the week from breakfast until late at night, always willing to hear confessions.” (Ravening Wolff, 235). The fervour and grace of that moment of his Priestly Ordination continued to animate every day of his life and ministry thereafter.

Presenting here, a poem offered to Fr. Wolff on the jubilee of his priestly Ordination, celebrated on 25 April 1852. The poem beautifully expresses the vigour, fervour, and deep commitment that marked his life as a priest. It is written by Fr. Wolff’s fellow brother, Fr. Joseph Dyckmann, not so much for its poetry as for its brief summary of the jubilarian’s priestly deeds. (Levensschets van den E. P. Mathias Wolff. S.J)

On the Golden Priestly Jubilee of Fr. Mathias Wolff

A single day is a man’s whole life
And blessed is he to whom it was granted
To see the glow of the evening!
But thrice blessed may I call him,
Who can boast of the great good fortune
That he never fell asleep on that day.

Yes, he who combines virtue and heavenly wisdom,
With the venerable silver of old age
May, at the end of his journey,
Looking back upon the winding paths he has travelled,
Always protected by God’s blessing,
Cast a calm gaze towards heaven.

Who can fathom his own happiness?
Who can give voice to the feeling
That stirs his grateful heart?
No, I dare not attempt to describe that bliss
That I see shining from your gleaming eyes,
That bliss which only you can feel.

A full fifty long years
Since you consecrated yourself at God’s altars
For the flock entrusted to you,
The enemy always found you watchful,
Radiant with the purest love
For your Lord Jesus’ stable
(for the flock of Jesus)!

What you, in life’s earliest days,
Seemingly in vain, cried out for,
Wringing tears from your mother’s eyes,
Was the voice of the Lord calling …
Behold, to His greater glory
The Society rises up!

Joined to that company,
Bravely you spurned with your foot
Whatever the world might offer you;
Should a tyrant drive you away —
No, your heart will not despair,
You will not lose your calling.

And, empowered by God’s might,
One sees you striving ceaselessly,
Where error reigns supreme.
Nothing can withstand your power;
Temples rise through your endeavours,
To be the dwelling-place of the one true God.

The Lord’s image, disfigured by sin
Or bound in unbelief,
You bring freedom and light;
Where your thunderous voice may sound,
Heresy must sink away,
And the sinner returns to his duty!

I see the Lord’s host of priests
Gathering round you for the first time,
On the soil of the fatherland.
And your example fills them with fervour;
The Word that flows from your lips
Reveals the God whom you proclaim.

I see you helping to establish a training college,
To form a select band,
Who will fight for God’s law …
Do you hear Satan gnashing his teeth?
Do you see him bursting into rage,
As his throne is now being crushed?

That trembling was not without cause!
Do you see those who surround you
On this solemn occasion?
Has not the guide of our steps
Trodden this path here
With so many of this company?

And how could it fail to warm your heart,
When soon they will share your work here
For the welfare of tender youth,
They who, through your fatherly care,
Sheltered in a safe haven,
And nurtured into virtue!

O continue to work with us for a long time yet,
Strengthen us through teaching and example
In the task entrusted to us,
Until, in the halls of heaven,
You shall be crowned with a rich crown,
The reward of the faithful servant.

Yes, for many years to come
You shall reap the richest fruits here,
The sweetest reward for your labour,
Until, with the blessed hosts,
You shall sing the ineffable song,
Heaven’s eternal JUBILATION!

Introspection: Like Fr. Wolff, do I have a clear and courageous purpose in my life - one that I am willing to live out with the same perseverance every day?

The Church in Derenbach, Luxembourg, where the boy Wolff received his First Holy Communion and Fr. M. Wolff celebrated his first Holy Mass.