Our mission statement is: “Following the example of our patron St. Stephen,
we are called to be witnesses of God’s love and to be a faith-filled, reconciling parish.”
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| Venerable Felix de Andreis, Missionary of Carondelet, 1778 - 1820 |
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Many residents of Carondelet know that the founder of Carondelet,
Clement Delore de Treget, set aside the hilltop
(presently Holly Hills and Minnesota Avenues) for
Church purposes in 1767. It was not until 1818 that a log mission
chapel was built on the hilltop.
Many parishioners are also aware that the first log post was placed by Father Felix de Andreis, C.M. (a member of the Congregation of the Mission). The placing of the first post was the same as placing a cornerstone for a stone building. What many people may not be aware of is that Father Felix de Andreis is the "Saintly Missionary of Carondelet". Father de Andreis has the title of "Venerable". This title is given to those whose cause for beatification and canonization in the Catholic Church has been introduced for consideration. Born in the year 1778, he would accomplish many outstanding things in his short space of time on this earth. He would be called to his heavenly reward after only forty-two years. He had the disposition to live a contemplative life, but was urged and called to the active life as a missionary to St. Louis and surrounding areas. His teachers were astounded at his learning and ability in the studies of philosophy and theology. It would seem that he also truly had a gift of tongues. He could speak Latin fluently and was well versed in Hebrew and Greek. Although his native language was Italian, he preached eloquently in French and English. Father Felix de Andreis, one of the outstanding missionaries who contributed to the success of Bishop Du Bourg evangelizing St. Louis, was the first Superior of the Vincentians in the United States. He was also the First Vicar General of St. Louis. During this time, he was also the Parish Priest of the St. Louis Cathedral. While he was Director of the Seminary for the Diocese, he was also the Novice Master for his Vincentian Community. He carried out all his duties extremely well, although sometimes he was not physically well himself. With all his talents, his most outstanding virtue cited those who knew him well was his humility, a foundation for all virtues. He was sometimes homesick for Italy. He said it was like thinking of paradise. He wrote to others that if it were not for the glory of God and the salvation of the people in St. Louis and its surrounding area, he would want to be at home. Not only was he dedicated to his work for the faith with those who had come from Europe, but he also wished to become a missionary to the indigenous tribes in America. In 1817, he wrote that he felt strongly impelled to devote himself to their education and conversion to Christ. He hoped to prepare a catechism in the language of the "Indiana beyond the Mississippi River". In 1818, he helped to construct the log chapel on the hilltop in South Saint Louis and dedicated it to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. But like St. Francis Xavier, who never reached China, or St. Vincent de Paul, who never reached Madagascar, God was to call him home before he reached his call to the tribes beyond the Mississippi and along the Missouri Rivers. He died on October 15,1820 and is buried in Perryville, Missouri. Perhaps this almost forgotten "Saintly Missionary" should be recalled frequently these days as we continue to bring the Gospel to those now living where he dedicated his life to plant and cultivate faith in the same "Good News". Beatification requires evidence of a miracle as proof of one's holiness and ability to intercede for us. Click here to view the prayer for Beatification of Venerable Felix de Andreis. Any miraculous event should be documented and will be forwarded to the Vincentian Priest who is the Postulator (promoter) of the Cause of Beatification. Any extraordinary answers to prayers to the Venerable Felix de Andreis may help his cause for Beatification. Please send a note of thanksgiving concerning any requests which were answered to Saint Stephen Protmartyr. |
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Saint Stephen Protomartyr Catholic Church 3949 Wilmington Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63116 (314) 481-1133 www.saintstephenstl.org |