In rememberence of Bro. Julius Schrijver
Brother Julius John Francis Anthony Schrijver
Born in Amsterdam: 03 -07-1918
Became a member: 01 -09-1934
First profession: 19 -03-1936
Vows: 15 -08-1939
Deceased in Bergen op Zoom: 02 -02-2010
Buried in Huijbergen: 06 -02-2010
As a student of the elementary school in the Hillegaertstraat in 1926, he learned to know
the brothers. He wrote the following: "Br. Immanuel Compiet became my class brother. The Brothers of Huijbergen impressed me by their kindness and religiosity. I felt attracted to them. I felt like a king when in 1929 my parents got a letter stating that I was allowed
together with nine other guys to spend a few vacation days in Huijbergen. After the seventh grade at br. Raymond Lockefeer I felt eager to be a brother. The preparatory class of the college was located in Bergen op Zoom and then followed the first course in Huijbergen. As well I realized that all this led to the a teachers job, I had an interview with br. Eligius Duinker, who supported me not to continue this education, because I had other qualities in me, also needed the congregation. In September 1934 I joined as a postulant. After half a year followed a full year novitiate. Then followed the profession for three years to know properly what the content was of this life. Then the next step: the vows on August 15, 1939. I never regretted. I felt happy and perfectly connected with the Congregation. That was what I wanted and what God worked within me."
Br. Julius continues expressing his thoughts from May 2004 with the words: "In the curve of the sanctuary of the Rosary Church (his parish church in Amsterdam) was a painted text:" MAGISTER ADEST ET VOCAT A "(the master is there and calls you). I have always liked this inviting text and hoped to answer it until my last day, my last hours."
Thinking about who he was and how he had chosen his vocation, his brothers used the words of John chapter 11, verse 28: "The Master is there and call you" as a theme for his funeral. Also the words from Psalm 130: "More than watchmen for the morning, I wait patiently for the Lord," are very appropriate for Bro Julius.
Bro. Julius in the monastic service community-minded, completed important and responsible tasks. He has witnessed many chapters and was,in various convents local superior for many years. For many candidates he was their SoCiuS during their novitiate period, and the right hand of the novice master. His performance was characterized by an own style in his words and his way of moving that resembled stride. Br showed that lifestyle. Julius also by his sense of order. The rule and consitutions were for him a compass, but his belief in the efficacy of H. Spirit gave him an open heart for liturgical renewal and seeking fellow brothers.
Bro. Julius was Very happy when he, after his services as a local superior, since the early 1970s could devote himself to the maintenance of forests and arranging flowers and plants. He had a great knowledge of the flora. Sometimes he was playfully called "the forester. Trees to be removed, were not carved by brother Julius, no, just singed. With meticulous care he collected and arranged has for many years old photographs from the Congregation.
As no one else br. Julius understood the old handwritings of manuscripts from the time of the Wilhelmites to and the art of transcription (rewrite) in modern Dutch. It gave him satisfaction. And so he made the archive of the Wilhelmites accessible for many. A man of prayer and enjoyed the liturgy, especially in a more solemn form. He was sensitive to the change of seasons, the flowers in his room always referred to them. The whole wealth of nature he experienced in admiration that, in a natural way became admiration and gratitude for the Creator.
With his age came many inconveniences: heart problems from 1982, a major intestinal surgery in 1990, as a result he had to live with a stoma, and a right under leg amputation in 2005. In all this complaining was and remained alien to him. An example for us to be jealous of. His room was in the healthcare department, where always was a nurse to take care of him. He appreciated it gratefully when someone offered to drive him around in his wheelchair. During the many quiet hours in his room Br. Julius grew ripe to the passage from here to the Other Side.
A prayer that brother Julius liked:
Salus populorum, Regina Pacis
Open the gates of mercy highly praised Mother of God that we,
You our hope in justice and peace.
Free us from all danger,
You are the salvation of the Christian Peoples and queen of peace.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Father,
send your Spirit over the earth.
Let the spirit live in the hearts of all peoples,
that they may be saved from
degeneration, disaster and war.
May Mary, the Lady of all peoples,
be our mediator and speak for us. Amen.
