Early Life & Ministry
Pierre-Jean-Mathias Loras was born in Lyon, France, on August 30, 1792. He was a descendent of a French noble family. During the Reign of Terror in France, Loras' father and 17 members of his family were put to death by guillotine.
As a young man, he studied for the priesthood, along with St. Jean Vianney (Curé d'Ars). He was ordained a priest November 12, 1815 by Cardinal Joseph Fesch for the Archdiocese of Lyon. He soon became the superior of the seminary of Largentiere. In 1829 he left his native France for Mobile, Alabama. He served as vicar general for the Diocese of Mobile, rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and helped Bishop Michael Portier recruit priests to serve the diocese. From 1830–1832 he served as the first president of Spring Hill College.
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