Congregation of the Brothers of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

“The gentle forces shall surely prevail in the end—this I hear as an intimate whisper within me.”

After a life of faithful dedication and service, we have had to bid a sorrowful farewell to our dear family member and faithful fellow brother,

Brother Joop van Eijk FIC

Johannes Willibrordus

Joop was born on November 7, 1930, in The Hague.

On August 15, 1952, he professed his vows in the Congregation of the Brothers FIC.He passed away at the De Beyart residential care center in Maastricht on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. 

“Whoever dwells in the shadow of God shall not perish in death.”

We can be firmly confident that Joop is now in the presence of God. Throughout his life - in Chile and in the Netherlands - he sought to be close to his Creator. He immersed himself deeply in literature, drawing strength and inspiration from it to express his love for the Lord, especially toward the most vulnerable, both young and old. Regarding this, he said: “I feel called to share my life with others, with the Gospel as my guiding principle.”

He spent forty-five years of his precious life in his beloved Chile. There, he worked as a teacher and school principal. Furthermore, he was a deeply committed catechist and pastoral worker. He authored accessible booklets on our faith and, while in the Netherlands, served as a member of working groups that developed materials for religious enrichment. In addition, he served for long periods as a board secretary and as a member of the residents' council at De Beyart. He was able to spend the final years of his life at De Beyart, surrounded by his fellow brothers. He found his own rhythm in the small, meaningful aspects of daily life - reading, taking walks, enjoying quiet conversations, and spending time together. Visits from family were also very dear to him. Sharing these beautiful moments brought warmth and a sense of connection to his life.

We sincerely believe that his great dedication - especially in the pastoral realm - merits the reward of eternal rest and peace with the Lord. In Joop, we lose a cherished family member, a deeply faithful fellow brother, and an exceptional person to his many friends and acquaintances. We will bid farewell to Brother Joop during a Eucharistic celebration on Wednesday, October 21, at 2:30 PM in the chapel of De Beyart. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at the FIC Brothers’ cemetery on Anjoulaan in Maastricht.