André-Hubert Fournet
André-Hubert Fournet was a French Roman Catholic priest who, alongside Jeanne-Elisabeth Bichier des Ages, founded the Daughters of the Holy Cross, Sisters of St. Andrew. Despite a childhood disdain for religion, he was influenced by his uncle to become a priest. He is remembered for his co-founding of a religious order and his later beatification and canonization.
- Feast Day
- May 13
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- France
Key Facts
- ›He was born on December 6, 1752, in Vienne, France.
- ›He was ordained a priest in 1776 and became the parish priest of his hometown in 1781.
- ›During the French Revolution, he refused to take the oath and was arrested in 1792.
- ›He fled to Spain in 1792 and returned to France in 1797.
- ›In 1798, he met Jeanne-Elisabeth Bichier des Ages and collaborated with her to establish the Sisters of the Cross.
- ›He was beatified in 1926 and canonized in 1933 by Pope Pius XI.
Daughters of the Holy Cross, Sisters of St. Andrew
About André-Hubert Fournet
André-Hubert Fournet (December 6, 1752 – May 13, 1834) was a French Roman Catholic priest and a co-founder of the Daughters of the Holy Cross, Sisters of St. Andrew. Despite an early disinterest in religion, he was inspired by his uncle to pursue a priestly vocation.
Life and Ministry
Born in Vienne, France, to Pierre Fournet and Florence Chasseloup, André-Hubert Fournet showed little inclination towards religious life in his youth. His mother's encouragement and his uncle Jean Fournet's example eventually led him to study law and philosophy, though he briefly rebelled by joining the armed forces. After his uncle's strong influence, he decided to become a priest and was ordained in 1776. He succeeded his uncle as the parish priest of his hometown in 1781.
French Revolution and Religious Foundation
During the tumultuous period of the French Revolution, Fournet refused to take the oath of allegiance to the civil constitution of the clergy, continuing his priestly duties in secret. This led to his arrest on Good Friday, April 6, 1792. He famously declined a carriage, choosing to walk as a follower of Christ carrying his cross. He managed to escape, at one point feigning death, and fled to Spain in 1792, returning to France in 1797. In 1798, he met Jeanne-Elisabeth Bichier des Ages and collaborated with her to establish the Sisters of the Cross, for which he drafted the monastic rule. He is credited with a miracle of multiplying food for the congregation and its charges. He retired from parish duties in 1820 but continued to guide the new order until his death in 1834, living with his sister during his final years.
Sainthood
The process for André-Hubert Fournet's sainthood began in 1877. He was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XV on July 10, 1921. Pope Pius XI beatified him on May 16, 1926, and subsequently canonized him as a saint on June 4, 1933, following the confirmation of miracles.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
When was André-Hubert Fournet born and when did he die?
André-Hubert Fournet was born on December 6, 1752, and died on May 13, 1834.
What is André-Hubert Fournet known for?
He is chiefly remembered as the co-founder, with Jeanne-Elisabeth Bichier des Ages, of the Daughters of the Holy Cross, Sisters of St. Andrew.
Did André-Hubert Fournet have any early difficulties becoming a priest?
Yes, in his childhood, Fournet had a disdain for religion and resisted his mother's wishes for him to become a priest. He pursued legal and philosophical studies but also rebelled by joining the armed forces before ultimately deciding to become a priest due to his uncle's influence.
What role did André-Hubert Fournet play during the French Revolution?
He refused to take the oath required by the revolutionary government and continued his pastoral mission in secret. He was arrested on Good Friday in 1792 for his activities, escaped, and fled to Spain before returning to France.
When was André-Hubert Fournet recognized as a saint?
The process for his sainthood began in 1877. He was titled Venerable in 1921 by Pope Benedict XV, beatified by Pope Pius XI in 1926, and canonized as a saint by the same pope in 1933.
Related Saints
Peter de Regalado
Peter of Valladolid was a Spanish Friar Minor and Catholic priest, known as a major reformer of his Order and an itinerant preacher. He is remembered for his devout life, his role in the Observance movement, and his charity to the poor. He was canonized by the Catholic Church and is a patron saint of his native city and diocese.
Francisco Marto
Francisco Marto was a Portuguese boy who, along with his sister Jacinta and cousin Lúcia dos Santos, reported witnessing apparitions of an angel and the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fátima, Portugal, in 1916 and 1917. He is remembered for his deep piety and self-mortifications, and was canonized as one of the youngest Catholic saints.
Servatius of Tongeren
Saint Servatius was a bishop of Tongeren, a widely traveled diplomat, and a staunch opponent of Arianism. He is remembered as a patron saint of several cities and towns and is recognized as one of the Ice Saints.