Peter Jan Beckx (also Pieter Jan Beckx, in French Pierre Jean Beckx, (8 February 1795, Zichem, Belgium - 4 March 1887, Rome, Italy) was a Belgian Jesuit, elected 22nd Superior-General of the Society of Jesus.
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Beckx was born — two months after the death of his father — in a very poor family. Another brother and sister died before he was one year old. With the help of benefactors he did his schooling in Testelt and then the municipal school of Aarschot. In 1815 he entered the seminary of Mechelen in order to follow the course of studies leading to the priesthood. Ordained priest in Mechelen (6 March 1819) he was appointed in Uccle, a parish in the neighbourhood of Brussels (now part of the city). Eight months later, he resigned and entered the Society of Jesus at Hildesheim, Hanover. After the usual novitiate formation time he completed his Theological and Biblical studies (1823-26) in Germany. He was soon able to preach, hear confessions, and give retreats in the German language.
The Duke and Duchess of Anhalt-Köthen converted to Catholicism in 1825 and asked for a Jesuit chaplain. Beckx was appointed to this duty, and went to live in Köthen. By giving classes to children in his own house, building a little church and organizing spiritual activities he brought many people back to the Catholic faith. After the death of the duke (1830) he went to live in Vienna, where he was the only Jesuit for many years. His powerful sermons gave him fame and Jan Roothaan, the Superior General, often asked him to negotiate on his behalf the foundation of Jesuit schools: Graz, Innsbruck, Linz. From time to time he was called to Rome and sent on missions to Lombardy, Hungary, and Bavaria. After teaching for a few years Canon Law at the Roman College in Rome (1842) he was sent to Belgium (1848) and was appointed Rector of the Jesuit theologate in Leuven (in 1850). But his services were required in Vienna where the situation for the Jesuits was difficult. In 1852 Roothaan sent him again to Vienna, as provincial, and his chief negotiator.
As Provincial of Austria Beckx attended the General Congregation of June 1853, called to elect a successor to Jan Roothaan who had expired in March. On the 2 July, at the first ballot, Peter Jan Beckx, was elected (27 votes on 51) Superior General of the Society of Jesus. Four Assistants were also elected. The Congregation expressed also concern at the renewed attacks made against the Jesuits, and advice prudence and tact while defending the Society against its detractors.
By 1883 - 88 years old and already 30 in office — Peter Beckx was infirm. On his own accord he called a General Congregation in order that a 'Vicar General with rights of succession' be given him. General Congregation XXIII met in 1883, in Rome, and the 24 September Anton Anderledy, a Swiss Jesuit priest, was elected. Beckx, though remaining in title the 'Superior General' in effect abdicated his charge entirely. He died four years later at the age of ninety-two.
| Preceded by Jan Roothaan |
Superior General of the Society of Jesus 1853 – 1887 |
Succeeded by Anton Anderledy |