A chronology of the life of Cardijn.
We plan to add more information in the future.
Please inform us of any suggestions of items to include.
1882
13 November Birth of Leon-Joseph Cardijn at Chaussée de Haecht, Brussels
View Larger Map 1897
September Minor Seminary, Malines (Mechelen) 1903 24 May Death of Henri Cardijn, father of Joseph Cardijn; consecration of his life to the workers 1906 4 August Begins studies at the University of Leuven (now the Catholic University of Leuven and Université catholique de Louvain) 22 September Ordination to the priesthood 1907 Posting to Minor Seminary, Basse Wavre as 6th form Latin teacher 1911 August Field visit to England and meetings with trade unionist Ben Tillett, Scout founder Baden Powell and many others. November Publication of report of England visit: Worker Organisation in England 1912 Easter Appointment as curate at Our Lady's parish, Laeken 1915 15 August Appointment as Director of Social Action for the Brussels area of the Malines Archdiocese 1916 6 December Imprisoned by the occupying German forces at St Gilles prison 1919 Foundation of the Young Trades-Unionists (Jeunesse syndicaliste) 1920 Chaplaincy at the University of Leuven 1923 Death of Louise Cardijn, mother of Joseph Cardijn 1924 21 September Congress of the Belgian Catholic Youth Association 1925 March First meeting with Pope Pius XI 18 April First congress of the Young Christian Workers 1927 Foundation of YCW in France 1929 YCW pilgrimage to Rome 1931 YCW Girls pilgrimage to Rome 1934 Donation of the Centrale building 1935 Autograph Letter from Pope Pius XI declaring YCW a "perfect" form of Catholic Action 25 August First international congress of the YCW 1937 Tenth anniversary congress of French YCW 1939 September Planned pilgrimage to Rome cancelled owing to outbreak of World War II 1944 August Escapes arrest by the German SS 1946 June First inter-continental trip to the Americas YCW Pan-American Meeting at San Jose, Cost Rica 1951 October Keynote speaker at the First International Congress of the Lay Apostolate, Rome 1953 First trip to Asia 1957 First International Council of the YCW and international pilgrimage to Rome 1963 Publication of Laymen into Action (Laics en premieres lignes) 1965 Made a bishop and cardinal by Pope Paul VI 1967 24 July Death of Joseph Cardijn |
 | |
Timeline |