Joannes van Heymissen OCist (1621–1678) was the 36th abbot of Hemiksem Abbey.

The Reverend Lord

Joannes van Heymissem

Abbas S. Bernardi ad Scaldim
Portrait by Jan van Helmont, dated 1678
ChurchRoman Catholic
PredecessorJudocus Gillis
SuccessorAntonius Spanoghe
Orders
Ordination1660
Personal details
Born1621
Died1678
Burtscheid, Holy Roman Empire
NationalityBelgian

Career

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Heymissen was born in 's-Hertogenbosch, which until 1629 was one of the four chief cities of the Duchy of Brabant in the Habsburg Netherlands. His father, an organist, later moved to Leuven, where Joannes was educated. He was related to the bishop of Antwerp, Mgr. Gaspard Nemius.

Heymissem completed his studies in philosophy at the University of Douai.[1] In 1646 he entered the abbey of Hemiksem, and took his vows. He was unanimously elected abbot in 1660, following the death of Judocus Gillis. During his period as abbot the west front of the abbey, including the tower, were completed. However the abbey church was destroyed by a fire during works on the roof. He died in died Burtscheid Abbey and was buried in the church of Hemiksem. He was succeeded as abbot by Antonius Spanoghe.

References

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  1. ^ Nieuw Nederlandsch biografisch woordenboek, ed. P.J. Blok, P.C. Molhuysen, vol. 8 (1930)