Jean-Louis Lefebvre de Cheverus - Early Life

Early Life

He was born on January 28, 1768 in Mayenne, France where his father was the general civil judge and lieutenant of police. He studied at the college of Mayenne, received the tonsure aged twelve, became prior of Torbechet while still little more than a child, then derived sufficient income for his education, entered the College of Louis le Grand in 1781, and after completing his theological studies at the Seminary of St. Magloire, was ordained deacon in October 1790. At the age of 22, he was ordained a priest of Montauban, France by special dispensation on December 18. He was immediately made canon of the cathedral of Le Mans and began to act as vicar to his uncle in Mayenne, who died in 1792.

Cheverus refused to take the oath imposed by the Revolution and this cost him his parish, and very nearly his life. He escaped from Paris to London, in disguise. Offered aid on his arrival, he replied: "The little I have will suffice until I learn something of the language. Once acquainted with that, I can earn my living by manual labor, if necessary". In three months he knew English enough to teach, and within a year gathered a congregation. A letter from a former professor at Orléans, the Reverend François Antoine Matignon, now in charge under Bishop John Carroll of all the Catholic church and missions in New England, urged Cheverus to come there to help in the work of the church. Cheverus first emigrated to England in 1792, then to America, settling in Boston on October 3, 1796.