Saint André-Hubert Fournet

Life story

André-Hubert Fournet was born on 6 December 1752 at Maillé in Poitou, France. As a child he took little interest in religion; the sources say the example of an uncle, also a priest, turned his life around. He was ordained in the late 1770s and in 1781 became parish priest of his home town.

During the French Revolution he refused the oath required by the Civil Constitution of the Clergy and carried on his ministry in secret. He was arrested on Good Friday, 6 April 1792, then fled to Spain and returned to France in 1797.

He met Elisabeth Bichier des Ages in 1798. Together they founded the Daughters of the Cross, also called the Sisters of St Andrew, to care for the sick and poor and to help educate people in rural France. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia the congregation was established in 1806, and in 1820 it settled in the former abbey of La Puye as its headquarters; other sources date the first vows to February 1807. Fournet drafted its rule.

He retired as parish priest in 1820 but kept directing the congregation until his death at La Puye on 13 May 1834. Pius XI beatified him in 1926 and canonised him on 4 June 1933. His feast day is 13 May. Bichier was canonised separately in 1947.

Works and witness

• Parish priest of his home town from 1781
• Refused the Civil Constitution oath, ministered in secret and was in exile in Spain 1792–1797
• Co-founded the Daughters of the Cross (Sisters of St Andrew) with Elisabeth Bichier
• Wrote the congregation's rule and directed it until 1834
• Canonised on 4 June 1933

Saints from the same country

Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Saint Louis IX of France, Saint Joan of Arc, Saint Francis de Sales

References

• Catholic Encyclopedia (New Advent): 'Daughters of the Holy Cross', newadvent.org/cathen/16031b.htm
• Wikipedia: 'André-Hubert Fournet' (ordination, 1807 vows, La Puye 1820, canonisation 4 June 1933)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.