Antoine Chevrier
Male·October 4·France·19th century
Antoine Chevrier was a French Catholic priest and a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis, dedicated to serving the poor and educating underprivileged children. He founded the Institute of the Prado, which includes both male and female branches, to continue his mission of evangelizing and caring for those on the peripheries of society. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1986.
Key Facts
- ›Antoine Chevrier was born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1825, in Lyon, France.
- ›He felt a strong calling to the priesthood at age fourteen and began his studies in 1842.
- ›Ordained in 1850, he was deeply affected by the poverty he witnessed and became an advocate for the poor.
- ›On Christmas Eve 1856, he experienced a profound realization of his mission to evangelize and care for the poor, leading to the formation of a religious congregation.
- ›In 1859, he became a professed member of the Third Order of Saint Francis.
- ›He purchased a disused ballroom in 1860 to establish a shelter and educational center for poor children and those on the margins of society.
Major Works
- Disciple of Jesus Christ
- God sends Revolutions
the Poor, Poor Children, Those On the Peripheries
Third Order of Saint Francis, Institute of the Priests of Prado, Sisters of Prado
About Antoine Chevrier
Antoine Chevrier (1825–1879) was a French Catholic priest and a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis, renowned for his lifelong dedication to the poor and the education of underprivileged children. Born on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1825, in Lyon, France, Chevrier felt a profound calling to the priesthood at a young age, commencing his studies in 1842 and being ordained in 1850.
Life and Pastoral Mission
Upon his ordination, Chevrier was deeply moved by the miserable conditions of the poor he encountered in Saint-André de la Guillotière. He articulated that suffering and hardship were formative elements of a person's character. His pastoral mission intensified after a profound experience on Christmas Eve 1856, where he realized his true calling was to evangelize the poor and establish a religious congregation to care for them. He consulted with Saint John-Baptiste-Marie Vianney in Ars-sur-Formans in January 1857, who encouraged his work. In 1859, he became a professed member of the Third Order of Saint Francis.
Founding the Institute of the Prado
In 1860, Chevrier purchased a disused ballroom to establish a chapel and a shelter, providing a Christian education for poor children and those on the peripheries. This initiative grew into the Institute of the Prado, which later expanded to include male and female branches, the Institute of the Priests of Prado and the Sisters of Prado, respectively. He also opened a clerical school for aspiring priests. Chevrier's influence was such that during a period of social unrest in Lyon in 1871, a procession of the Eucharist through the streets, led by him, temporarily halted conflict.
Writings and Legacy
Chevrier was also an author, penning "Disciple of Jesus Christ" and "God sends Revolutions." The latter work critiqued clerical greed and materialism. He faced periods of illness before his death on October 2, 1879, after which approximately 10,000 people attended his funeral. His order received diocesan approval in 1924 and papal recognition thereafter. Antoine Chevrier was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 4, 1986, during the Pope's visit to France, solidifying his legacy as a devoted servant of the poor.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Antoine Chevrier born?
Antoine Chevrier was born on April 16, 1825, which was Easter Sunday.
What was Antoine Chevrier's primary mission?
His mission was to serve the poor and provide Christian education to poor children and those on the peripheries of society. He felt a strong calling to evangelize to the poor and tend to them directly.
What religious institutes did Antoine Chevrier found?
He founded the Institute of the Prado, which has two branches: the Sisters of Prado and the Institute of the Priests of Prado.
When and by whom was Antoine Chevrier beatified?
Antoine Chevrier was beatified on October 4, 1986, by Pope John Paul II during his visit to France.
What were some of Antoine Chevrier's notable writings?
He wrote "Disciple of Jesus Christ" and "God sends Revolutions." The latter work was a critique of priests who were greedy and overly attached to material possessions.
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