Eustáquio van Lieshout

Who was Eustáquio van Lieshout?

The Blessed Eustáquio van Lieshout, SS.CC., was a Dutch missionary in Brazil, and a religious and priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

He was born Huub van Lieshout in Aarle-Rixtel in the province of Brabant. In 1903, knowing that he wanted to become a priest, he was enrolled in the Latin school in Gemert, from which he transferred in 1905 to the minor seminary of the Picpus Fathers, becoming a member of the Congregation in 1913, at which time he received the religious name of Eustachius. Upon completion of his theological studies in 1919, he received Holy Orders as a priest, and was then assigned to give pastoral care in the towns of Maassluis and Roelofarendsveen in South Holland. While still a young priest, in recognition of his work, the King of Belgium knighted him in the Order of Leopold.