Congregation of Jesus Mary Joseph
(JMJ)
In Honor of Wolff’s Birthday: Unveiling a Hidden Legacy—An Excerpt by a JMJ Sister
08 Mar 2025 - 31 Mar 2025
From an anonymous JMJ sister in 1904, there is an unheard story of Fr. Wolff that offers a glimpse into his life and legacy. She expounds that his parents, recognizing the divine gift in their son, named him Mathias, meaning “gift of God.” With great care, they watched over this blessing, unaware of how profoundly it would shape the lives of many. Over time, this gift blossomed, as Wolff became a devoted pastor and the founder of a congregation, faithfully carrying out the works of God.
The sister further shares that throughout his life, there were numerous accounts of miraculous interventions—healings of the sick, fulfilled prophecies, and profound spiritual insights. With tireless zeal, Father Wolff preached God’s word and dedicated himself to instructing the young in the Catechism. His commitment extended beyond his own flock, as he organized retreats for priests and played a key role in promoting missions in the Netherlands.
Baptismal record of Fr. Wolff in Latin
(Transcript and translation of the text appear at the end of the document.) Source: https://www.familysearch.org/
However, she does not overlook the struggles he endured. She expresses, “His life, unsurprisingly, was marked by trials and hardships. He cultivated God’s vineyard with much labor and sorrow. Like a gardener tending to his flowers, he nurtured roses of love, lilies of purity, and violets of humility with sweat and patience. Through self-denial, prayer, and countless good works, he ensured that his spiritual garden flourished. In humility and tears, he awaited the dew of heaven, shielding his delicate plants from the harsh storms of life with constant vigilance and care.”
She then beautifully reflects on how deeply he was cherished by those he served. His spiritual children in the congregation welcomed him with joy and treasured every word he spoke. Even after his passing, they revered his remains as sacred relics, calling him Mon Père— “My Father.”
With hope, she concludes that his legacy, once confined to a small circle, should now reach far and wide. And as we honor his memory, may we one day, with the same devotion, turn to him in prayer:
“Venerable Founder, Blessed Father, Saint Matthias, pray for us.”
As we celebrate Wolff’s birthday on March 9th, let us offer him a meaningful gift—not in words alone, but in the way we live. May we embody the true spirit of JMJ, just as he envisioned, and strive to fulfill the mission he entrusted to us. In doing so, we keep his dreams alive, not just in memory, but in action.
Source: Anonymous Sister. The Congregation of the Sisters of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Called the Society: Jesus, Mary, Joseph: A Historical Sketch 1822-1904. 's-Hertogenbosch: Teulings, 1904.
Latin transcript
1779
Mathias
natus est 9 Martii, circa medium decimam vespertinam, et die sequenti baptizatus est.
Filius legitimus Mathiae Wolff mercenarii, et Annae Mariae Zenner, conjugum Diekirchensium. Patrinus fuit Mathias Dresch, mercenarius; Matrina Anna Catharina Zenner, libera, ambo Diekirchenses.
Pater et matrina subscripserunt; patrinus declaravit se nescire scriber subsignavid. Mathias Dresch, + Patrinus, Anna Maria Zenner, Matrina
Mathias Wolff Pater F.W. Knell, Vicarius in Diekirch
English Translation
1779
Mathias
was born on March 9, around half past nine in the evening, and was baptized the following day.
He is the legitimate son of Mathias Wolff, a laborer, and Anna Maria Zenner, spouses from Diekirch.
The godfather was Mathias Dresch, a laborer; the godmother was Anna Catharina Zenner, a freewoman, both from Diekirch.
The father and godmother signed; the godfather declared that he did not know how to write, so he placed a mark instead. Mathias Dresch, + Godfather, Anna Maria Zenner, Godmother
Mathias Wolff Priest F.W. Knell, Vicar in Diekirch
(Must have been signed by Wolff in his later days.)