John Berthier

John Baptiste Berthier (February 24, 1840-October 16, 1908) was a Catholic missionary and educator. Berthier was born February 24, 1840 in Chatonnay in southern France.[1] He founded a Catholic religious institute, the Institute for Late Vocations in Grave, the Netherlands in 1895 - organized to meet the needs of men who desired to become priests later in their life. The organization received episcopal approval in 1904, and took the name Missionaries of the Holy Family.[2] Berthier died Oct. 16, 1908.[1] Berthier was the author of 36 ascetical and theological works, largely relating to the diversity of ways to holiness through imitating the holy family.[1]

The group expanded into Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, and Brazil by 1910.[2] As of 2014 there were Holy Family priests and brothers serving in 22 countries around the world.[3] its members cultivate a special devotion to Our Lady, Reconciler of Sinners, retaining thus a spiritual kinship with the Missionaries of La Salette, of which Berthier was a member. The cause for beatification for John Berthier was opened.[4]

Bibliography
  • Thoughts of Father Berthier: A Treasure with Old and New Things, by Father Berthier - Congregazione dei Missionari della Sacra Famiglia, Editions du Signe, (c) 2011, ISBN 978-2-7468-2673-1, www.editionsdusigne.fr.
  • Les merveilles de la Salette. Téqui, 1898.

References
  1. Catholic University of America. New Catholic encyclopedia, Volume 2. Thomas/Gale 2003. p333
  2. Kleinschmidt, B. (1926). Das Auslanddeutschtum in Übersee und die katholische Missionsbewegung: mit besonderer Berücksichtigung von Deutschland u. Österreich von 1875 bis 1925. Aschendorff p157
  3. Melton, J. Gordon. Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History. ABC-CLIO, 2014. p1587
  4. Pace, Edward Aloysius, ed. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church. Encyclopedia Press, 1922.
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