Of the many sons of Vincent de Paul, exemplary in their vocation and evangelizers of the poor, some were chosen for us to admire and take as models. Justin of Jacobis – the great apostle of the people of Abyssinia (known today as Eritrea and Ethiopia) is one of them.
| 1800, 9 October | Birth in San Fele near Naples, Italy |
| 1818, 17 October | Entrance into the Seminary of the Congregation of the Mission |
| 1824, 12 June | Priestly ordination |
| 1839, 24 May | Responsibility for the mission in Abyssinia and the surrounding territories. |
| 1860, 31 July | Death |
| 1939, 25 June | Beatification by Pope Pius XII |
| 1975, 26 October | Canonization by Pope Paul VI |
| 30 July | Liturgical feast |
Justin was born in San Fele, near Naples, on 9 October 1800. He was the seventh child of Maria Josefa and Jean Baptiste de Jacobis, a family of substantial means and a deep Christian faith.
Justin entered the Congregation of the Mission in 1818 in Naples. His deep humility made him think that he did not possess the necessary qualities for the priesthood, but his Superiors believed in him, and he was ordained a priest on 12 June 1824 in the Cathedral of Brindisi. During his first years of priesthood, his main mission was giving retreats for the laity, other priests and sisters. He also participated in parish missions. He further organized various charitable activities to help the poor.
Whatever task was entrusted to him, he performed it with humility and obedience and accepted to serve in any office and take on responsibilities entrusted him within the Congregation of the Mission. In 1836, during the severe cholera epidemic that devastated Naples, he worked tirelessly to assist the sick, even at the risk of his own life.
In 1838, Cardinal Felippe Franzoni, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith, visited the Provincial House of the Vincentian Priests in Naples. He spoke with the Superior, Father Justin de Jacobis, about the needs of Abyssinia and the desire to start a mission there. With the agreement of his Superiors, Justin de Jacobis accepted this call. The mandate for the establishment of a mission was given to the Congregation of the Mission on 24 May 1839, and Father Justin de Jacobis was sent to Abyssinia as the Apostolic Prefect for this region.
Justin de Jacobis allowed himself to be guided by Providence in his mission of evangelization. He was well rooted in the spirit of the Congregation of the Mission. Above all, he influenced through his great humility, kindness, zeal and patience in sufferings and misunderstandings. The Lord gave Justin de Jacobis a clear vision of the country’s culture and traditions. He learned the language, lived with the people and worked to improve good relations at the local level.
He was a man ahead of his time with respect to inculturation: he made use of the traditions and culture of the people to proclaim the Gospel. He was also a great precursor of ecumenical dialogue between Coptic and Catholic Christians.
For twenty years, Father Justin zealously dedicated himself to the service of the Gospel. He was a great mentor and formator of priests. It is to his credit that the Catholic Church was restored in Abyssinia despite the great suffering and persecution that he endured.
He died of tropical fever on 31 July 1860 on the side of the road near Halai in the Aligade Valley.
