Who is Jules Chevalier? Part 1
Father Jules Chevalier, MSC, Servant of God, was the Founder of the Religious Congregations, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. He is also the Spiritual Father of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. These three congregations and their lay members constitute the Family of Jules Chevalier.
Fr. Jules Chevalier was born in Richelieu, France, on March 15, 1824. He was the youngest of three children. His older brother, Charles, was born in 1813, and his sister, Louise, in 1815. His father was Jean Charles Chevalier. Jean was well-educated and a Defender of Justice and Truth but not a very pious person. An unmarried aunt raised his mother, Louise Ory. Both father and mother were bakers. Jules described his mother as a woman of “sound judgment, bright, stead character, unaffected piety…shrewdness of mind and unflinching courage.” She was gentle, very pious, and had a sense of humor, which she passed on to her son, Jules, as well as courage and tenacity, especially in difficult situations. She disliked disobedience, lying, and greed and was relentless in combating faults. Louise likewise fostered Christian and human values for her children: Catholic Faith, education, training in virtue, love of God, and dislike of sin. Both father and mother were poor but could meet basic needs.
Jules’s mother sold vegetables in a nearby market. She would bring him with her and place him by her side. Her husband thought she was spending too much time with Jules, and one day, he came to the market shouting at her for not spending enough time with him. In frustration, Louise took him home, placed him in a basket and brought the child to the church, placed him before Our Lady, and said, “Mother of God, if this child is always going to give me as much trouble as he did today, you can have him and do with him what you wish. I am leaving him with you.” When she returned home, she felt guilty, so she returned to the church and brought him home. This visit was not the first time Jules’ mother brought him to church. Earlier, his mother had consecrated him to the Blessed Mother and the Sacred Heart.
As a child, Jules described himself as one exposed to much danger. He described himself as “lively and hot-headed,” irresponsible, and a practical joker. When Jules was five or six years old, he was with his mother at the market. He stole an apple. Upon returning home, she asked the child where he got the apple from. When Jules told her, she brought him to the market and made him apologize to the vendor. Another time, he landed underneath a horse. Luckily, the carriage suddenly stopped. Another time, Jules was sliding on ice and fell through but was able to escape. Returning home, he noticed the fire was too weak for drying, so he threw his shoe into the fire. Father and mother showed up in time to see what happened; Jules received a “dressing down” that was not to be forgotten.
Nevertheless, Jules Chevalier grew up loving the Church. He received baptism in the Church of Richelieu on March 16, 1824. Godfather was cousin Hilaire Ory (baker), and godmother Adelaide Baudran, aunt by marriage. He served as an Altar Boy, imitated priests, and possessed a true sense of piety. On Trinity Sunday, May 29, 1836, Jules received his First Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 22, 1839.
After telling his parents he wanted to be a priest, both sadly said they could not afford the tuition. The promise to go to the seminary for free did not come to fruition. Thus, Jules took up a trade to become an apprentice shoemaker. However, his parents’ response did not deter Jules’ desire for the priesthood. He received tutoring in Latin from a parish priest. As an apprentice, he lost the desire to be a priest. Likewise, he did not fully understand what it meant to be a priest.
In 1836, Jules participated in a parish retreat, “Priests of the Mission,” by a Vincentian priest. From the retreat, Jules wrote, “What a beautiful vocation is that of a missionary.” This script seems to be a sign indicating that God is, indeed, calling him to become a missionary. A well-known and charitable woman, Ella Gillet, was also making the retreat. She was present with him at the moment he pondered over those words. She informed his mother that she had been watching Jules. Observing his piety convinced her that Jules should become a priest. His mother agreed. The parish priest began a new “association of perseverance.” Jule joined the group. Ella’s brother gave Jules a Latin grammar book and began to tutor him.
In 1841, the Chevalier Family moved to Vatan, where his father, Charles, was entrusted with overseeing a Vatan forest for a Mr. Jute. Mr. Jute heard about Jules wanting to become a priest and offered to help.
Thus, by the grace of God, at the age of 17, Jules entered the minor Seminary of St. Gaultier in October, 1841. The seminary years (1841-1846) were unpleasant for him because he lived with students four or five years younger. Jules experienced boredom and rejection but identified as a good and diligent student. The boys often teased him until one day in chapel, he turned around and smacked a seminarian who was annoying him. Jules seemingly established his position in the seminary, gaining more respect. There is no indication that the incident ever happened again. However, Jules once punched a fellow shoe apprentice, who was ridiculing him. He, nevertheless, was aware of the need to do away with his temper.
According to the late Bishop James Cuskelly, MSC, the following “Cliff Experience” taught Jules about the “nothingness before God.” It taught him about “self-renunciation.” One day, two seminarians and Jules went for a long walk with snow on the ground along the banks of the Creuse River. Jules’ impetuosity took over. He suggested the others go with him down the stoop way instead of returning by the path. They came across a deep cliff. Jules slid and fell off the cliff. The two seminarians saved themselves by holding onto branches. When they reached Jules, they thought he was dead. After a priest anointed him, they took him to a chateau nearby and began praying for the dead. All this time, Jules was conscious and was wondering why his soul wasn’t taken from him. The two seminarians returned to inform the superior of the incident. The superior ordered the dead body brought to the seminary. About an hour later, Jules began singing, which created fear among the others. Upon arrival, Jules exited the carriage and greeted the superior, “Good evening Father Superior, I am not dead.”
By Br. Warren Perrotto, MSC
See also: The 170th Anniversary of the MSC: The Celebration Continues – Who is Jules Chevalier? Part 2
