After completing his secondary schooling at the Athénée de Luxembourg, he started studying philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.

When the old bell-tower of the Cathedral was in flames on Good Friday in 1985, he personally saved the statue of the Virgin Mary – an important Luxembourgish symbol – and later took care of planning the reconstruction.

The same year, Pope John Paul II personally appointed him the first Archbishop of Luxembourg on 16 May during a visit to the country.

Under him, the Pélé des Jeunes started in 1974, which to this day takes place on the first Sunday of the Octave celebrations.

With the consecration of Fernand Franck as his successor on 2 February 1991, Jean Hengen's tenure as Archbishop came to an end.

Thus, while he declined Abbot Robert Sibenaler's invitation to the Octave Mass of the Dudelange pilgrims during his time as Bishop, after his retirement he willingly participated in this tradition.