Charles Nerinckx
Charles Nerinckx , originally Carolus Nerinckx (born October 2, 1761 in Herfelingen , Austrian Netherlands , † August 12, 1824 in Ste. Genevieve (Missouri) ), was a Flemish Roman Catholic missionary priest in the United States . He is the founder of the Loretto sisters .
Life
Nerinckx was the oldest of 14 children of the doctor Sebastian Nerinckx and his wife Petronilla nee. Langendries. He studied philosophy and theology at the Catholic University of Leuven and entered the seminary of the Archdiocese of Mechelen in Mechelen in 1781 . In 1785 he was ordained a priest and became a chaplain at the Cathedral of Mechelen . In 1794 he came to Meerbeek as a pastor . After the annexation of the Austrian Netherlands by revolutionary France , he was expelled from office in 1797 and retired to a hospital in Dendermonde , which was run by his aunt. It was there that he made the decision to go to America to help build the Catholic Church in the vast areas of new settlement in the Midwest . Upon his arrival in the fall of 1804, Bishop John Carroll of Baltimore sent him to Kentucky ; almost half of the state has been given its responsibility.
In the years that followed, Nerinckx traveled huge distances on horseback, gathering Catholic settlers, administering the sacraments , planting congregations, and setting up church building projects. His prudence and drive, combined with deep spirituality , earned him the honorary title of Apostle of Kentucky . Bishop Carroll wanted to propose him to the Holy See as Bishop of New Orleans , but Nerinckx declined.
His main concern had been the upbringing of children in Europe. In Kentucky he founded the community of the Sisters of Loretto with Mary Rhodes , Ann Havern and Christina Stuart in 1812 under the name of Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross . He made two trips to Europe to gain support for his reconstruction work and returned with pictures, vestments and vessels for the liturgy as well as with some young Flemish priests who later established the Jesuit order in the USA, including Pierre-Jean De Smet .
Charles Nerinckx died on a missionary trip to Indian tribes in Missouri .
Web links
- Article by Charles Nerinckx ( Catholic Encyclopedia )
- Ms. Charles Nerinckx (website of Nerinx Hall High School, English)
- Publications by and about Charles Nerinckx ( WorldCat )
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Nerinckx, Charles |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Nerinckx, Carolus |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Belgian-American missionary priest, founder of the order |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 2, 1761 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Herfelingen |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 12, 1824 |
| Place of death | Ste. Genevieve (Missouri) |