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Francis Acharya (Jean-Richard Mahieu) was born on 15 April, 1919 in Ypres, Belgium, is a Francis Acharya was born Cistercian monk born Cistercian monk. Discover Francis Acharya's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 83 years old?

Popular As Jean-Richard Mahieu
Occupation N/A
Age 83 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 15 April 1919
Birthday 15 April
Birthplace Ypres, Belgium
Date of death 2002
Died Place Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta, India
Nationality Belgium

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 15 April. He is a member of famous with the age 83 years old group.

Francis Acharya Height, Weight & Measurements

At 83 years old, Francis Acharya height not available right now. We will update Francis Acharya's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Francis Acharya Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Francis Acharya worth at the age of 83 years old? Francis Acharya’s income source is mostly from being a successful . He is from Belgium. We have estimated Francis Acharya's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
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Timeline

1912

Francis Acharya (born Jean Richard Mahieu; 17 January 1912 – 31 January 2002) was a Belgian-born Indian Cistercian monk.

Jean Richard Mahieu was born on 17 January 1912 in Ypres, Belgium to a farming family.

He was the fifth son of the seven children of René Mahieu and Anée Vandelanotte.

He had his early education and college studies in Brussels.

At the age of twenty he went to England for higher studies.

1931

In 1931, when Gandhi came to participate in the second Round Table Conference as - one English politician said - 'a half naked fakir', Mahieu was sympathetic with Gandhi's nonviolent fight for India's independence.

As his own spiritual development unfolded, he saw in Gandhi a path toward a more spiritual and harmonious world civilization based on a balance between action and contemplation.

1932

In 1932, Mahieu had to complete his compulsory military service, in Belgium.

During this time, he decided to become a monk, join the Cistercian (Trappist) Order, and go to India to lead a contemplative life in an ashram.

He asked his father's permission and was denied due to his father's strong opposition to such a vocation.

1935

Despite this, in 1935, he joined a group of pilgrims going to Rome.

In an audience with Pope Pius XI, he expressed his desires and asked prayers for his future vocation.

In September 1935, at the age of 23, Mahieu joined the Cistercian Abbey of Our Lady of Scourmont, near Chimay, Belgium.

He received a new name, Francis, with Francis of Assisi as his chosen patron upon beginning his religious vocation.

After his novitiate formation, he made his first vows and was sent to the Gregorian University in Rome to obtain a degree of Bachelor of Divinity.

He then did further theological studies at the University of Louvain in Belgium.

1940

He made solemn vows in 1940 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1941.

Soon thereafter, he was appointed novice master at Scourmont.

At this time, the abbot of Scourmont was planning to start a Cistercian monastery in India.

He was interested in this work, although he was also interested in working in Africa.

He was given permission to undertake a foundation by himself in India.

At that time, it was very difficult for a Belgian person to get a visa for India.

However, Scourmont had a daughter house in Wales and Francis was given the opportunity to go to this monastery on Caldey Island as its novice master.

After three unsuccessful applications for a visa for India he was eventually granted one through the recommendation of Vijayalaksmi Pandit, who was High Commissioner in England.

Impressed by Francis's wish to work for the encounter between Christianity and Hinduism and by his determination to start a Christian monastic foundation rooted in the ashram tradition of India, Pandit Nehru, who was then the prime minister of India, approved the application on the condition that he would not try to convert anyone to Christianity.

1955

Acharya set sail for India and arrived in Bombay on 12 July 1955.

Swami Abhishiktananda (Henri Le Saux) welcomed him.

Abhishiktananda and Jules Monchanin (Swamy Paramarubi Ananda) had already founded Saccidanada Ashram (Shantivanam) near Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.

In Bombay Acharya visited several ancient sites: Buddhist caves at Kanheri, the island of Elephanta, and Ajanta.

At Elephanta, Francis and Abhishiktananda were profoundly impressed by the central cave, a magnificent temple with immense bas-reliefs (7th century) carved in the solid rock, dedicated to Shiva Maheshwara in his different manifestations.

They passed the night in the cave, where the sight of Maheshwara Sadashiva (a huge carving of Shiva with three faces) had moved Swami Abhshiktananda to ecstasy.

After visiting Ajanta, Abhishiktananda went on alone to explore north India, while his companion returned to Bombay.

Acharya spent about one year in the ashram at Shantivanam with Jules Monchanin and Swami Abhshiktananda; he considered this year to be a period of novitiate for him in India with the two earlier pioneers on the same path.

1956

Afterwards, in November 1956, he left Shantivanam for Kerala.

At the invitation of Zacharias Mar Athanasios, the Bishop of Tiruvalla, Acharya went to Kerala to start the ashram.

In the course of time, Bede Griffiths joined him there.

On 1 December 1956, the two of them started the new foundation Kristiya Sanyasa Samaj, Kurisumala Ashram at Tiruvalla in the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church.

1958

They obtained 88 acre of land, and on 20 March 1958, the eve of Saint Benedict's day, Francis, Griffiths, and two seminarians travelled sixty miles to the site, high up on the holy mountain of Kurisumala.

1998

In 1998, he founded the Syro-Malankara rite Kristiya Sanyasa Samaj, Kurisumala Ashram in Kerala, India.

He was later affiliated to the Trappist Order.