Alphonse Magnien
Encyclopedia
Alphonse Magnien was the superior at St. Mary's Seminary and University
in Baltimore, Maryland from 1878 to 1902. He exerted a considerable influence on Roman Catholic seminary education in the United States
.
He was born at Le Bleymard
, in the Diocese of Mende. He studied classics at Chriac
, and philosophy and theology at Orléans
(1857–1862). He had become affiliated to the Diocese of Orléans in response to Félix Dupanloup
's appeal for clerical recruits. In the seminary he developed a Sulpician vocation; but the bishop instead employed him for two years after his ordination in 1862 as professor in the preparatory seminary of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin
. He then became successively, under the direction of his Sulpician superiors, professor of sciences at Nantes
(1864–65), and professor of theology and Holy Scripture at Rodez
(1866–69).
In late 1869, Magnien began teaching at St. Mary's in Baltimore. He proved a capable teacher, first in his course of philosophy and, later, of Holy Scripture and dogma. He seemed instinctively to grasp the vital part of a question and rested content only when he had found the truth. He became superior of the seminary upon the death of Dr. Dubreul in 1878. He was naturally upright, frank, manly, and devoted to the Church and the spread of religion. He spoke to the seminarians out of the abundance of a priestly heart and from a full knowledge of priestly life. He was especially able at the rostrum; he spoke almost daily on spiritual topics without becoming tiresome. In the administration of his office there was nothing narrow or harsh. He had a keen knowledge of conditions in this country. He used to say at the close of his life "I have trusted very much and been sometimes deceived; but I know that had I trusted less I would have been still oftener deceived."
This generous and wise sentiment characterizes the man and partially reveals the secret of his influence. Magnien was loved and revered. He had strong affections; he had also strong dislikes, but not so uncontrollable as to lead him into an injustice. His personality contributed, in no small degree, to the growth and prosperity of St. Mary's Seminary. Under his administration St. Austin's College was founded at The Catholic University of America
, for the recruiting of American vocations to St. Sulpice. His abilities as a churchman and a theologian were conspicuously revealed at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. Throughout his life, his counsel was frequently sought and highly valued by many members of the clergy. He frequently preached retreats to the clergy.
During the retreat at St. Louis in 1897, he was seized with an attack of a disease from which he had suffered for years. Some months later he went to Paris for special treatment, where he underwent a very dangerous operation, and returned to his post at Baltimore. His health, however, was never entirely regained and after two or three years began to fail markedly, and in the summer of 1902 he resigned, dying a few months later.
St. Mary's Seminary and University
St. Mary's Seminary and University is a Roman Catholic seminary in Baltimore, Maryland; it was the first seminary founded in the United States of America.-History:...
in Baltimore, Maryland from 1878 to 1902. He exerted a considerable influence on Roman Catholic seminary education in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
He was born at Le Bleymard
Le Bleymard
Le Bleymard is a commune in the Lozère department in southern France.-Notable people:* Alphonse Magnien , Catholic educator* Henri Rouvière , Professor of anatomy-External links:...
, in the Diocese of Mende. He studied classics at Chriac
Chirac, Lozère
Chirac is a commune in the Lozère département in southern France.-Geography:Situated on the banks of the Colagne river in the heart of the Massif central.The D809 road passes through the village.-Population:-Places and monuments:* The Fare dolmen...
, and philosophy and theology at Orléans
Orléans
-Prehistory and Roman:Cenabum was a Gallic stronghold, one of the principal towns of the Carnutes tribe where the Druids held their annual assembly. It was conquered and destroyed by Julius Caesar in 52 BC, then rebuilt under the Roman Empire...
(1857–1862). He had become affiliated to the Diocese of Orléans in response to Félix Dupanloup
Félix Dupanloup
Félix Antoine Philibert Dupanloup was a French ecclesiastic.-Biography:He was born at Saint-Félix, in Haute-Savoie. In his earliest years he was confided to the care of his brother, a priest in the diocese of Chambéry. In 1810 he was sent to a pensionnat ecclésiastique at Paris...
's appeal for clerical recruits. In the seminary he developed a Sulpician vocation; but the bishop instead employed him for two years after his ordination in 1862 as professor in the preparatory seminary of La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin
La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin
La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin is a commune in the Loiret department in north-central France....
. He then became successively, under the direction of his Sulpician superiors, professor of sciences at Nantes
Nantes
Nantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
(1864–65), and professor of theology and Holy Scripture at Rodez
Rodez
Rodez is a town and commune in southern France, in the Aveyron department, of which it is the capital. Its inhabitants are called Ruthénois.-History:Existing from at least the 5th century BC, Rodez was founded by the Celts...
(1866–69).
In late 1869, Magnien began teaching at St. Mary's in Baltimore. He proved a capable teacher, first in his course of philosophy and, later, of Holy Scripture and dogma. He seemed instinctively to grasp the vital part of a question and rested content only when he had found the truth. He became superior of the seminary upon the death of Dr. Dubreul in 1878. He was naturally upright, frank, manly, and devoted to the Church and the spread of religion. He spoke to the seminarians out of the abundance of a priestly heart and from a full knowledge of priestly life. He was especially able at the rostrum; he spoke almost daily on spiritual topics without becoming tiresome. In the administration of his office there was nothing narrow or harsh. He had a keen knowledge of conditions in this country. He used to say at the close of his life "I have trusted very much and been sometimes deceived; but I know that had I trusted less I would have been still oftener deceived."
This generous and wise sentiment characterizes the man and partially reveals the secret of his influence. Magnien was loved and revered. He had strong affections; he had also strong dislikes, but not so uncontrollable as to lead him into an injustice. His personality contributed, in no small degree, to the growth and prosperity of St. Mary's Seminary. Under his administration St. Austin's College was founded at The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America
The Catholic University of America is a private university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States. It is a pontifical university of the Catholic Church in the United States and the only institution of higher education founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops...
, for the recruiting of American vocations to St. Sulpice. His abilities as a churchman and a theologian were conspicuously revealed at the Third Plenary Council of Baltimore. Throughout his life, his counsel was frequently sought and highly valued by many members of the clergy. He frequently preached retreats to the clergy.
During the retreat at St. Louis in 1897, he was seized with an attack of a disease from which he had suffered for years. Some months later he went to Paris for special treatment, where he underwent a very dangerous operation, and returned to his post at Baltimore. His health, however, was never entirely regained and after two or three years began to fail markedly, and in the summer of 1902 he resigned, dying a few months later.