In Memoriam  BRO. JOOP VAN EIJK – 21 October 2026

Brother Joop van Eijk was born in The Hague on 7 November 1930. On 15 August 1952, he took his vows in the Congregation of the FIC Brothers. He passed away in Maastricht on 14 October 2026

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“Whoever dwells in the shadow of God shall not perish in death. Whoever seeks refuge with Him shall one day find peace as his daily bread. God spreads His wings of grace protectively around him as a friend.”

This text was read at the funeral of the Bishop of Haarlem in 1969 and, in my view, is entirely fitting for our family member and fellow brother, Joop van Eijk. Through study and prayer, he forged a growing bond with the Eternal One, who has now spread his wings of grace fully over him.

Joop was a passionate seeker of life's essence. He did so for over forty-five years in Chile, and in the years that followed amongst us in the Netherlands. He sought spiritual support in resources and reading material for spiritual deepening and wished to keep abreast of what was happening in the world and in society.

He once said on this subject: “I feel called to share my life with others, guided by the Gospel. For me, there is one way in which I have sought to put this into practice: through my concern for the least among us in Chile and the Netherlands, for those who are cast out by society”. After taking his vows in 1952, he taught at primary schools in Maastricht and Amsterdam.

In October 1959, he left for Chile, where he demonstrated his fundamental commitment to caring for the most vulnerable for many years: as a teacher and headteacher of primary schools, but also as a catechist and pastoral worker. He obtained his teaching qualifications in the Netherlands and in Chile. He had no other qualifications. Yet he was an avid reader of pastoral letters and encyclicals, and kept up to date with current spiritual literature.

In a conversation, he once said: ‘I am not looking for rules, but for new and profound insights that lie behind things. I have been deeply engaged with this my whole life. All of this has continually enriched and transformed me. It has greatly influenced my prayer life. And in the process, I discovered that there is still a great deal for me to learn.’

Joop was a charming man who observed what was going on around him and had keen insight into human nature. As a result, he was asked to take on leadership roles within the congregation. In Santiago, he served on the community council and, on several occasions, as superior of this large community.  For twelve years, he was secretary of the provincial council in Chile. For many years, he served as headteacher of our primary school in Santiago. But it was through his pastoral work in schools and in the neighbourhood where he lived, based in Porto Seguro in the capital, that he felt most at home. Here he was able to put into practice, to the full, the knowledge he had acquired through his catechetical studies and his deepening understanding of religion. He helped to bring about the publication of a new Apostolic Project for his fellow brothers in Chile.

In 1993, the 500th anniversary of the evangelisation of Latin America was commemorated. Joop helped organise the celebrations in the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, successfully involving young people in particular.

Around 2005, he returned to the Netherlands. Here, too, he remained active. Together with a working group, he produced the collection ‘Stilstaan bij het leven’ (‘Reflecting on Life’), which offered material to help people take a step back during quiet moments to turn inwards and towards God.

Together with Brother Lo Koeleman, he was a member of the residents’ council at the De Beyart Residential Care Centre.

“The night shall not overtake him; his days shall endure for ever. Though a thousand may fall, you remain inscribed in God’s hand. God places his shield upon his faithful ones, who live by faith alone. He shall build a new heaven, of love to surround their tears”, we read in the text at the beginning of this In Memoriam.

Joop was not spared his tears, but he stood his ground bravely when he realised, in the depths of his heart, that the Eternal One would never forsake him.

We bid farewell to a dear family member and fellow brother, who shared with so many the message that we may always remain in God’s care.

Joop is now experiencing the eternal joy of being close to the Lord, to whom he remained faithful throughout his life.

Dear Joop: rest in peace.

                                                                                                         Wim Swüste