1679: Founder and Founding of the
Order
Claude des Places
Spiritan founder, Claude Francis Poullart des Places is born in Rennes,
Britanny. The son of an affluent businessman and lawyer, Poullart at
the age of 21 finished his schooling at the Sorbonne in Paris and planned
to follow in his father's footsteps in Parliament and upper-class French
life. His life changed direction when he developed relationships with
and began assisting the homeless and poor chimney sweeps of Paris.
Stemming from this experience, Poullart discerns a priestly vocation
and at the age of 24, while still a seminary student, he founds the
Congregation to respond to both the material and spiritual needs of
his fellow students, many of whom were impoverished. The Seminary
of the Holy Ghost is founded, financially assisting its students so
they in turn might aid the poor in rural France and overseas missions.
Less than two years after his ordination, Poullart dies in 1709.
His foundational work of priestly formation, evangelization, and uplifting
the poor and disadvantaged spreads to parishes, hospitals, and schools
in rural France.
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The history
of the Spiritans over three centuries is the story of thousands of Fathers
and Brothers and lay persons who have forgone society's aspirations
to power, prestige, and wealth. Rather, they made -- and continue to
make -- profound sacrifices to minister to the poor and disadvantaged.
They have crossed economic, social, cultural, and racial and ethnic
boundaries as they proclaim the Good News in diverse parts of the world.
The Spiritans remain at the forefront of international missionary orders.
The Congregation
began in France in 1703 and eventually expanded throughout the world,
with special focus on the African continent. Their North American
presence spans the entire country, with special focus on African-American
and Hispanic parishes. Duquesne University, a nationally recognized
Catholic university located in Pittsburgh, was founded by Spiritans
for children of the immigrant poor, and today attracts students from
around the world.
Interesting Links
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1802:
Libermann's birth and life
Francis Libermann
Francis Mary Paul (Jacob) Libermann, the Congregation's second founder,
is born into a rabbinical Jewish family. While studying to become
a rabbi himself, Libermann is drawn to Catholicism and converts at
the age of 24. Although the onset of epilepsy initially excluded him
from the priesthood, he continued his studies with the Sulpician Fathers.
Libermann also becomes assistant to the novice master of a small community
of Eudists.
Libermann founds the Congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary in 1841.
With Papal encouragement, he is quietly ordained a priest explicitly
for work in missions to Blacks, slaves, and former slaves in French
colonies of the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and Africa.
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