Who was father Leon Dehon? In the world of Instagrams, Tiktoks, scrolling, and clickbait, the story of this humble man reminded me that every great work is the result of ordinary daily efforts.
How did my “acquaintance” with Father Leon Dehon begin?
First time I heard about Father Dehon from people belonging to the Talent Entrepreneurs’ Ministry. During the design and creation of Father Leon’s bust, I learned much more about this man.
How Leon was described by his academic lecturer?
The chronicle of the French Seminary in Rome contains a testimony from the rector, Father Melchior Freyd, who wrote the following words:
Leon Dehon from the diocese of Soissons.
He entered the seminary on October 25, 1865. He left on August 1, 1871.
Character: excellent.
Abilities: immense.
Piety and regularity: excellent.
… Promises much for the future.
Leon’s first educators – his parents.
Leon Dehon was born on March 14, 1843, in La Capelle. His father believed that religious practice was inappropriate for a man. It was his mother who raised him in the spirituality of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was she who instilled in him the faith that became the foundation of his life. “She introduced me to prayer…” Leon would say many years later.
Father Leon Dehon made the decision to become a priest in 1856.
This time a family conflict started, as his father desired a different career for Leon. He was dreaming of the future of his son as a civil servant or diplomat. Therefore, in an attempt to distract son from the priestly vocation, he financed him a trip to the Middle East.
Leon set off on the journey with his friend, Leon Pallustre. It quickly became clear that Leon was most eager to get to the Holy Land. In Jerusalem the two friends’ trip imperceptibly turned into a… pilgrimage. While there, Leon strengthened his vocation and, upon his return, left to study in Rome. However, it was a decision his parents accepted with great pain.
Father Leon Dehon – A Surprising Career Development
He completed his studies with impressive results. He earned four doctoral degrees: in civil and canon law, theology, and philosophy. It seemed that his academic career would grow rapidly, but instead he became… a vicar in the industrial city of Saint-Quentin.
His parish had 35,000 inhabitants. Recognizing the problem of worker exploitation, Father Leon set himself the goal of improving their living conditions. He was working on establishing various social projects. It was a library, a choir, a savings bank, and finally, he turned his attention to young people formation. He created the St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, a meeting place for boys from poor families. For the elderly was the Catholic Workers’ Circle .
Father Leon Dehon – His Greatest Work
Father Dehon’s greatest work was the founding of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in 1878. The beginnings were difficult, but, as he himself wrote: at the beginning of every work, we need many trials to strengthen the foundations. The Congregation survived all obstacles. In the year of Father Leon Dehon’s death, there was 700 monks and 80 novices.
Father Leon Dehon – Working on the Sculpture.
The following photos are part of the documentation of our work on the bust of Father Leon Dehon:
From Father Leon Dehon’s memoirs:
We have a beautiful mission: to bring priests and the lay faithful closer to the Heart of Jesus Christ.
Prayer for obtaining graces through the intercession of the Venerable Servant of God, Father Leo Dehon
Almighty and eternal God, who always works signs and miracles in your saints, your faithful servant, Leo Dehon, radiating an example of virtue and zeal, worked persistently for the salvation of young people and did everything to spread the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Grant that he may be raised to the glory of the altars, and through his intercession and for Your glory alone, grant me this grace: …which I so desire and so need. Amen.
Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.
See also:
Commemorative Plaque – Life written in stone
Reliquary and reliquary – What’s the difference? A few words about saints.
The materials used to wrote this article was found on Talent Entrepreneurs’ Ministry website: www.duszpasterstwotalent.pl
