Fr. Henry Venhof

Fr Henry Van Hoof: A Pioneer Missionary in Bangladesh

Fr Ajit Costa OMI

Birth: Fr Henry Van Hoof was born on December 18, 1921, in a small village of Hoevenen in the north of the Province of Antwerp, Belgium. His parent’s are Alexander and Maria Van Hoof. Of six brothers and sisters, he was the eldest among them. Since Henry was born around the Christmastime, his parents considered him as a joyful gift from God. Henry became the immense source of happiness of his parents and remained as such for the rest of his life. He was baptized at St. Catherine in Stabroek and was given the name Henricus Ludivicus Constantinus Van Hoof. However, he was known by his family members, friends, relatives and others as Hendrik, or Pater Rik.

Desire to be a missionary: As a young boy, he told his family members about his future dream, “I want to be a priest some day, but if I can’t complete my studies, I will be a brother.” In spite of having a strong desire to be a priest in one day, his serious sick appeared to be the most difficult obstacle. He was doubtful whether he would ever be able to complete the difficult studies for the priesthood. Yet, he strongly desired and was determined to become a missionary priest like his uncle Constant. His uncle was a missionary priest to Zaire, belonging to the Congregation of Holy Ghost. He used to draw immense inspirations, strengths, and desires by listening to adventurous stories and life experiences his priest uncle.

Desire to be an Oblate: His first step toward vocation happened because of a sad event. When Henry was about 12 years old, his favourite teacher in the village school died, not being able to cope up with sadness, he changed the school. He got admission in Hoogstraten, a diocesan school. This boarding school has reputations to produce a good numbers of diocesan and religious priests. Many joined the seminary from this school, because of this it became known as a “priest factory”. His decision to join the Oblate was influenced by reading the Oblate magazine, Mary’s Messenger. He used to read this magazine secretly and used to be taken up by Oblate Fathers’ adventurous life among the Eskimos. The caption of the magazine “Join the Oblates and see the world” attracted him very much and became the heartbeat of his life. After his graduation from school, he joined the Novitiate on August 1939. His life long dream became true with his priestly ordination on July 8, 1945.

Missionary life of Fr Henry Van Hoof: After his ordination, the first missionary call came from Texas. A land completely unknown to him, but the spirited Fr Henry Van Hoof went to serve the mission. He rendered 5 years effective services in the missions. In 1950, a call came to serve the Mexico Mission. Spirited Fr Henry Van Hoof, with a daring spirit, he went to serve the difficult mission. He served the mission till 1974 before landing to Bangladesh, just after the devastation of liberation war. He expressed his missionary zeal and spirit in choosing the daring mission of Bangladesh, “Why Bangladesh? 3 reasons: 1. Something very human. You know, the blood of an adventurous man! The opportunity to start all over again. It is attracting! 2. It was necessary. The letter written by Bangladesh Bishops was a very cry for help. And where it is necessary, Oblate Fathers go. 3. This is similar direction-in Mexico I was involved in vocation work. As I have already said many times, O.M.I. Fathers go where there is need for them, so I have to do so, too. Otherwise it is just a pack of words, nothing more.”

After a long wait, he received visa for Bangladesh and arrived on January 8, 1974. To learn Bangla, he went to Bandura and wrote about his first experience to Fr Blackburn OMI, on March 14, 1974, “This place puts you back fifty years, at least. There is no light to speak of-we use lantern and candle and a few kerosene pump jobs. The people are wonderful-friendly, social-minded, talkative, smiling. My God, they deserve a better life! The great sin of our day is the injustice to people like this.”

Fr Henry Van Hoof was gifted Oblate with a fine personality. He loved life and people, irrespectively religions and races. He was gifted with many languages. He loved machines, especially steam engines, John Wayne Movies; big ships; jazz music; singing; theatre; sports, especially soccer; people; and God. He was a dedicated missionary, prayerful, loving, compassionate and simple person. He was first superior of Bangladesh Delegation. He served Bangladesh till he died on March 24, 1989. An extract of a poem by Fr Henry Van Hoof:

I wish for you…….

That your rising may shine with joy and health and desire to do good things every day.

That your days may be decorated with the flowers of your happy smile.

That your words may be optimistic, so that they comfort and

encourage and fill the heart of others with peace and confidence.

That your hands many not be greedy, but that they may always open to give and help.

That your eyes may discover the beautiful and the noble and that you

may meet the Lord in your fellow man.

That your heart may be patient in trials and reverses and that it may

be made open with a warm place for everyone who wants to find trust in it.

Acknowledgement:

Mary Travers, Pater Rik: The Story of Henry Van Hoof, Texas, 1993.