John A Janson, OFM

1913 – 1996

Fr. John Janson, OFM, was born on May 7, 1913 in Fall River, Mass. He was received into the Order at the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Friary, Paterson, N.J., in 1933, professing temporary vows one year later. Fr. John made his solemn profession in 1937 and was ordained in 1941.

His first assignment was at Holy Cross Parish in the Bronx, N.Y., from 1942 to 1943. Fr. John then transferred downtown to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in New York City, where he served as assistant from 1943 to 1944.

In the fall of 1944, he went to Brazil, where he ministered for the next 52 years, serving at most of Holy Name Province’s missions in the central region of the country. From 1968 to 1975, he ministered as pastor of the parish in Araguacema, one of the most isolated parishes in the Province.

He died on Dec. 20, 1996 at the hospital in Anapolis, Brazil. Fr. John was 83 years old, a professed friar for 62 years, and a priest for 55 years.