Félix de Jesús Rougier
From The Catholic Guide - All About Roman Catholicism
French priest, Fr. Felix de Jesús Rougier (1859-1938), outstanding 20th century apostle of Mexico and founder of the [Missionaries of the Holy Spirit |Congregation of the Holy Ghost Missionaries], the Daughters of the Holy Ghost, the Guadalupe Missionaries of the Holy Ghost, and the Oblates of Jesus the Priest. Fr. Rougier arrived in Mexico in response to an official request made to Pius X, by a group of Mexican bishops led by Archbishop Ramon Ibarra y Gonzalez of Puebla, who wanted the Holy Spirit Missionaries to begin a foundation.. This was a Providential response to the scarcity of priests in the country, and the need for their formation.
Fr. Rougier, who was born in France in 1859, is remembered as one of the priests who gave his life for the Church in Mexico during the difficult times of revolution and religious persecution. Among his many accomplishments, Fr. Rougier founded three women's congregations, with the help of several Mexican women: the Daughters of the Holy Spirit (1924), who supported the fostering of priestly vocations; the Guadalupe Missionaries of the Holy Spirit (1930), who collaborated with bishops and priests in the work of evangelization and catechesis of the poor, especially Mexican Indians; and the Oblates of Jesus the Priest, who expressed the presence of the consecrated woman in the lives of seminarians and priests.
The French priest also promoted the creation of an inter-diocesan seminary in the United States, during the period when Mexican seminaries were closed. To achieve this, he was in close dialogue between Mexican and North American bishops and collaboration with the apostolic delegate. He also opened one of the first houses for priests in Mexico that sought the integral health and spiritual renewal of a priest.
In addition to the religious congregations mentioned, Fr. Rougier played a decisive role in the birth and growth of an additional 9 Mexican religious families started by his followers, which form part of what is now called "the Family of the Cross." These groups are now present in a majority of Latin American countries and the United States. They have a smaller presence in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
On February 15, 2000, the heroic virtues of Fr. Felix were approved by the Vatican and on July 1st John Paul II declared him venerable. His process of canonization gets closer to being fulfilled.
