Cornelius Van de Ven was born on June 16, 1865, in Oirschot, in the southern Netherlands, to Peter Van de Ven and Joanna Maria Roche. After receiving his early education in Sint-Michielsgestel, he began his studies for the priesthood and attended the diocesan seminary in Haaren. While still a seminarian, Van de Ven accepted an appeal from Archbishop Francis Janssens of New Orleans for missionaries in the United States. His uncle, Rev. Cornelius J. Roche, had already immigrated and served as pastor in Michigan.
