John Cornelius Martin Lambertz was born at Hoogstraten, Belgium on February 8, 1785. He was the seventh of eight children of John and Marie Therese Van Ael. His early life was greatly influenced by the religious sentiments of his mother - her spirit of prayer, devotion to the Sacred Passion, the Rosary, and Trust in God. She was his great confidante whom, unfortunately, he lost when he was ten years old. His early years were also affected by the historical and religious influence of that time. Due to the French Revolution, life in Belgium was badly shattered. Churches were profaned, Convents were burnt down, Priests were exiled, Schools disappeared, Public worship was prohibited. The Church of Hoogstraten was closed down from 1797 to 1802. The Lambertz's family, with many others, moved to the Dutch territory, Holland for safety. At Rotterdam, John Lambertz qualified himself as a chemist and started working as a chemist's assistant in Belgium.

Call to Priesthood

In the wake of his youthful charm, suddenly he discovered God as the greatest magnet of souls. This very realization was the turning point in his life. At the age of 24, he decided to give himself totally to God. A cousin of his helped him financially for his seminary training at Malines from 1810 to 1812. John Lambertz's seminary life was marked with his strict fidelity to the rule, his devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary, his spirit of prayer even during the period of relaxation. He was known as a good-tempered person with kindness and self-forgetfulness. On March 14, 1812, he was ordained priest.

Parish Priest of Tildonk

On December 29, 1815, Rev. John Lambertz was appointed Parish Priest of Tildonk. Preaching his first, most moving sermon to his parishioners, he chalked out, with an almost prophetic vision, his own task as the herald of God for His people:

"Dear parishioners, I am your Pastor, I shall regard you as a bride, as a wife, brothers and sisters, family and friends, whoever you may be, I still love you.... I am your Shepherd and you are my Sheep; my freedom, my time, my rest, my health, all belong to you, my whole life and all that I have, is given to you."

Founding of the Congregation of the Ursulines of Tildonk

On April 30, 1818 he founded the Congregation of the Ursulines of Tildonk. The tiny tender plant of the Ursuline Tree planted by Rev. John Lambertz, started taking its root slowly but steadily, flourishing and spreading its branches far and wide. With God's blessing, it thrived in the midst of numerous trials and difficulties, watered, manured and tended by the prayers and austere life of John Lambertz and his Sisters. The life of the Ursulines of Tildonk began in a very small way. John Lambertz owed this foundation of Tildonk to Our Lady of Seven Sorrows. In his note book is written, "By the infinite mercy of God and the intercession of our Lady of Sorrows the community obtained from the Government of King William I, recognition as a Teaching Religious Congregation". Since then, the custom of celebrating the feast of Our Blessed Lady of Seven Sorrows is dear to every community that owes its existence to Tildonk, "The Rosary in His hands was a power".

His Last Journey

May 12, 1869:- It was eight o'clock in the evening. After being anointed and the last prayers said, having blessed each of his sisters most affectionately, John Lambertz, the Cure of Tildonk. Founder of the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk, gave up his soul in quiet peace without pain, without agony. He died as he had lived.

His Heart is preserved

By a special permission, his heart was removed and given in the care of the Ursulines of Tildonk. It is preserved upto this day in the sacristy of the Convent Chapel. On May 16, his remains were laid to rest outside the Church of Tildonk on the spot where he had so often been seen praying - a plain stone slab surrounded by an iron railing and placed just under the great Crucifix, with statues of Our Lady and St. John on either side. All around speaks of rest and that peace which the world cannot give.

An Inspiration to Posterity

Hundreds of English women, mothers and grand mothers have lived their girlhood at Tildonk convent school. A considerable portion of these have received the gift of faith. Close to the grave of the Father Founder, the work of education is still being carried on under the supervision of the Ursuline Community, whilst his heart which loved God immensely, watches over all the foundations, and in the stillness of the air, sanctified by his saintly life, his comforting words of unbounded faith and confidence resound:

"Don't be afraid, your Foundation is God's work."