HELVERT, Lucas Frans van (Franciscus van Helvert). Dinther, North Brabant 5.5.1910 — Veghel, North Brabant 29.10.1999. Father. Dutch Catholic (Premonstratensian/Norbertine) missionary in India. Son of Johannes van Helvert (1870–1929) and Jacoba Gesina van Dooren. After gymnasium in Heeswijk in 1929 novice in Windberg, ordained priest in 1935 and in 1936 left for India. Worked in Mandla dt., learned soon Hindi. Concentrated on local Gonds. In 1947-49 in the Netherlands, then back to India. From 1959 priest in cathedral of Jabalpur, 1965-71 in Bombay, then back to the Netherlands.

Publications: “Burial Rites of the Gonds”, Anthropos 45, 1950, 209-222.

Sources: Life and photo in familievanhelvoort.nl.