Fr. Jean Berthier, M.S., a Saint-in-the-Making

Editor: This article was republished with the permission of the Congregation of the Holy Family, which was founded by our own Fr. Jean Berthier, M.S., who is now in the process of being named a saint by the Catholic Church. We La Salettes have just published a new book on his life, entitled “Rev. Jean Berthier, M.S. (1840-1908) – the Writer,” by Fr. Victor Hostachy, M.S., available now on Amazon.com in various forms (paperback or Kindle e-Book).

His Birth and Early Years

Fr. Jean Berthier, M.S., a painting by Bro. Donald Wininski, M.S.The Founder of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Family, Father Jean Berthier, M.S., was born in Chatonnay, France on February 24,1840. As a boy he learned about the apparition of Our Lady of La Salette and his interest in Our Lady of La Salette never faded.

Jean showed a desire for religious life when he was very young and prepared for the diocesan seminary by studying Latin. On October 23, 1858, at the age of 18, he entered the Major Seminary in Grenoble, France. As a deacon, he joined the Missionaries of La Salette at the mountain of La Salette on July 14,1862. Despite health issues, his strong will and trust in God helped him to arrive at his goal. On September 20,1862, at the age of 22, Jean Berthier was ordained a priest by Bishop Jacques-Marie-Achille Ginoulhiac (1853-1870).

His Early Years of Ministry

For decades Fr. Berthier enjoyed his summers at the Holy Mountain of La Salette, ministering to the visiting pilgrims. He celebrated Mass, preached, heard confessions and explained the message of Our Lady of La Salette. There were few staff members, so in addition to priestly duties, he did a variety of manual jobs to help care for the pilgrims.

In the wintertime the snowfall prevented pilgrims from reaching the Sanctuary of La Salette, so Fr. Berthier traveled to parishes, colleges and religious communities throughout France preaching missions and giving retreats. Those who heard Fr. Berthier were moved by his modesty, education and humility.

Two Lingering Thoughts

The Founding House of the Congregation of the Holy Family in Grave, NetherlandsTwo thoughts remained on Fr. Berthier's mind. First, he wanted to promote the message of La Salette to help lead people to the Lord. Second, he saw a lack of Missionaries in the Church. This Bible verse was on his mind: “The harvest is abundant, but laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). During his missions throughout France, he met many men who wanted to become priests but in general they were considered too old to begin their studies.

Fr. Berthier wanted to offer these men a path to become a priest and made plans for a school. Because of the political turmoil and anticlerical wave in France, he could not do this at the Sanctuary of La Salette.

After encouragement from Pope Leo XIII to follow his work for late vocations, Fr. Berthier, at the age of 55, went to Grave, Holland, and on September 28, 1895 he founded the Institute for Late Vocations. With the permission of the Holy See in Rome, this became the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. While there were many challenges, Fr. Berthier had a deep confidence in God and persevered.

Founding the Institute for Late Vocations

In 1908, just thirteen years after the Institute began, Fr. Berthier witnessed the ordination of twenty-five priests. Additionally he saw nearly two hundred seminarians as members of the Missionaries of the Holy Family. Fr. Berthier now judged that his presence was no longer required and desired only, according to his own words, “to disappear from the face of the earth.”

His Last Days

The first days of October 1908 were particularly difficult for him. On October 16, early in the morning, his last agony noticeably began. Repeatedly he said: “I wish to say one more Mass!” He celebrated Mass, but he himself was the victim of his sacrifice, because a few minutes after he had uttered these words, he gently breathed his last, surrounded by his spiritual sons. His Institute was still very young at the time of his death, but he had trained the Missionaries well. Today there are over 900 priests, brothers and seminarians serving throughout the world.

The Vatican Process for a Person’s Cause for Sainthood

The process of “sainthood” is formerly called the Process for Canonization. The candidate for sainthood must first be proposed to the local bishop and typically this does not happen for at least five years after the person’s death.

Once the bishop accepts and “opens the cause” (1) for canonization, an investigation into the person’s life and work is begun and the person can be called a Servant of God.

(2) This is an exhaustive study of the candidate’s written works and, when possible, interviews with those who knew or worked with him. St. Cyprian of Carthage (200-258AD), who urged diligence in the process of canonization