Capuchin Heritage Series-Father Justin Joos, O.F.M. Cap.
05/14/2010
John Joseph, along with his twin sister Margaret, was born in Manhattan, New York on 10 September 1912 to Alois and Catharina Beron-Joos. The Joos [pronounced Joos] family members, including a total of six children, were lifetime parishioners of the Capuchin Franciscan parish of Our Lady Queen of Angels in East Harlem, New York City.
Twelve days later, John Joseph was baptized at Our Lady Queen of Angels by Capuchin John O’Donovan on 22 September 1912.
John’s older brother George Joos entered the Capuchins in 1919 but tragically died in 1924.
John attended Our Lady Queen of Angels Elementary School from 1918-1924 and was a member of the first graduation class of students of the new Saint Mary Seraphicate in Garrison, New York [1929].
John entered the Capuchin Franciscans on 22 July 1929 at St. Felix Friary in Huntington, IN. and received the religious name Justin. His novitiate classmates included Felix Ley and Ignatius McCormick. Frater Justin was simply professed on 23 July 1930 at St. Felix Friary in Huntington. Following novitiate, Justin began his undergraduate work at St. Anthony Friary, Marathon WI [1930-32] and Mary Immaculate Friary, Garrison, New York [1932-33]. He was perpetually professed at Mary Immaculate on 11 September 1933.
Following solemn profession, Justin returned to Saint Anthony in Marathon to continue his theological studies until 1937. He was ordained to the priesthood along with Ignatius McCormick, Felix Ley, Gabriel Diefenbach, and Rudolph Multerer on 14 June 1936 at Saint Mary’s Church in Marathon, Wisconsin.
In June 1937, Justin was temporarily assigned to Saint Bonaventure Friary in Detroit to assist in the second publication of The Manual of Customs. The last edition would be published in 1951.
Justin’s first permanent assignment was as a parochial assistant, assistant director of the Capuchin Mission Association and vocation director from 1937-46, residing at the Friary of Saint John the Baptist in New York City. Justin ministered as a hospital chaplain from 1945-46, residing at St. Francis Friary in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
photo: [Middle]- Twins John Joseph and Margaret Joos-circa 1920 [Left]- Theology students Justin Joos, Felix Ley, Terence Dais, Marius Noe, Ignatius McCormick, Rudolph Multerer, Gabriel Diefenbach- 1931-32
For almost ten years, 1947-1956, our brother Justin ministered at the Church of Saint Michael in Brooklyn. During his time in East New York, in addition to his duties as parochial assistant, Justin was the director of finance and largely responsible in directing the Building Drive Fund for the new Social Center. The last three years in Brooklyn he served as pastor of Saint Michael and vicar of the friar community. As pastor he is credited in planning the building project of the new girls High School which today serves as the elementary school. Entire article...