Our Heritage

The Story of Francis Libermann

Born in Sayerne, Alsace in 1802, Jacob Libermann was the youngest son of Rabbi Libermann who cared for the Jewish population of that town. He underwent a strictly orthodox rabbinical upbringing but after an agonizing interior struggle, became a Christian at the age of twenty-four.

 

One year later, he entered St. Sulpice in Paris. Just before ordination to the subdiaconate he was afflicted with epilepsy, a disease which rendered him ineligible for major orders. While working as an educator of seminarians he became convinced of the need for a proposed society of priests who would work for the education of newly liberated slaves in the French colonies.

 

When he sought approval in Rome for his newly-founded society of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, he was firmly told that only one in priestly orders would be permitted to found a missionary society of this purpose. Church authorities finally gave approval to his proposal on condition that he find a bishop willing to ordain him.

 

Father Libermann became the first Superior-General of the new missionary order in that historic year of 1848. Only seven years ordained, he had but four years of life remaining. Although his epilepsy never again troubled him from the day of his ordination, his health was never good and he drove himself with quiet ferocity belying the calm, kindly exterior which made him so beloved by the young men who came forward in large numbers to participate in the work over which he presided. From October, 1851, his health deteriorated rapidly and in February, 1852, he died.