Paul Joseph Nardini
Encyclopedia
Paul Joseph Nardini was a diocesean priest
and the founder of the religious order the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family.
, in Germany
, to Margaret Lichtenberger, a single mother. She gave him the name Paul Joseph Lichtenberger at birth. Margaret was unemployed and thus not able to personally provide for herself and her son. She turned her son over to her paternal aunt, Maria Barbara, and her husband Anton Nardini. This couple adopted him, gave him their own surname, and raised him as they would their own son.
Nardini displayed extraordinary diligence in his studies, and made excellent grades. In so doing, he drew the attention of several adults. After he completed grammar school, it became clear that Paul was interested in the priesthood, and the local bishop Johannes von Geissel
, had him admitted to the seminary at Speyer
. There, Nardini studied philosophy
from 1841 through 1843. Upon completing his philosophy studies, he was sent to the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
by bishop Nikolaus von Weis. There, Nardini obtained a degree in theology
, and graduated summa cum laude
.
On June 5, 1846, he received minor orders
. The next day, he was ordained a subdeacon
. He was sent back to Speyer on the completion of his studies, and was ordained a deacon
on August 11. The following August, he was ordained to be a priest in the cathedral.
In his first years in the priesthood, Nardini served as the vicar of a parish in Frankenthal
, regent of another parish in Geinsheim
, and prefect of the diocesan boarding school of Speyer. In February 1851, Nardini was made the parish priest of the diffuclt and financially poor Pirmasens
parish. Nardini requested that his mother relocate to his new assignment with him, and she accepted. Nardini was noted for his remarkable character during this period. His example of sacrifice, determination, self-abnegation, and apostolic zeal was very important in evangelizing and drawing people to the church in the largely Protestant area. His effectiveness as a priest, combined with his preaching and cathecizing skills and his love of the Eucharist, earned him a reputation for sanctity and led to his being called the "Father of the Poor" in the community.
Nardini became very concerned about the conditions in which the poor children and older adults in the Pirmasens area were forced to live. In 1853, he requested that the Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer of Niederborn come into Pirmasens to help in the education of the poor children of the area. He also asked them to help in the care of the sick and those who suffered from material or spiritual misery, regardless of their race or religion. After two years, it became clear that the amount of work to be done was more than the nuns could handle, and they were recalled.
Nardini then brought in four young women from the Franciscan third order. On March 2, 1855, these sisters founded with Nardini the Congregation of Poor Franciscans of Pirmasens. They would eventually change their name to the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family, and still later to the Sisters of Mallersdorf. Nardini personally took on the work of the care and formation of the sisters of the new order. He also ensured that their food and lodging in the economically challenged area was regularly secured, often at the cost of depriving him of his own meals. While performing a work of mercy
, delivering the Viaticum
to a dying parishioner on a cold night in the winter of 1861-1862, Nardini contracted pulmonary typhus
. He died as a result of the disease on January 27, 1862.
by the members of his community, and by all the sisters of the order which he had founded, who at the time of his death numbered 220 in 35 locations. His mortal remains were entombed in the Chapel of the Congregation of the order he founded in Pirmasens. The cause for his beatification
was begun in June, 1997, in the Diocese of Speyer
. On December 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI
officially recognized the heroic virtue
s of Nardini, thus formally making him eligible for beatification. Six months later, on June 26, 2006, the Pope officially recognized the miracle required for Nardini's beatification, the miraculous healing of one of the nuns of the order he founded, Stephana Beyer, from late-stage cancer, which happened after the sisters of her order prayed at Nardini's tomb for her. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
to promulgate his cause.
He was formally beatified in the Speyer Cathedral
by Cardinal Friedrich Wetter, who read an Apostolic Letter from the pope officially recognizing Nardini as beatified. There were some 2,000 people present for the ceremony, including some 600 nuns of the order he founded, with thousands of others watching the ceremony on closed circuit television in the square of the cathedral. It was the first beatification in Germany in 10 years, and the first one in which the pope himself was not present. The current bishop of Speyer
, Anton Schlembach
, called Nardini a "highly gifted minister" who "opened people's eyes to the necessity and beauty of the priesthood".
Priesthood (Catholic Church)
The ministerial orders of the Catholic Church include the orders of bishops, deacons and presbyters, which in Latin is sacerdos. The ordained priesthood and common priesthood are different in function and essence....
and the founder of the religious order the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family.
Biography
He was born at GermersheimGermersheim
Germersheim is a town in the German state of Rhineland-Palatinate, of around 20,000 inhabitants. It is also the seat of the Germersheim district. The neighboring towns and cities are Speyer, Landau, Philippsburg, Karlsruhe and Wörth.-Coat of arms:...
, in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, to Margaret Lichtenberger, a single mother. She gave him the name Paul Joseph Lichtenberger at birth. Margaret was unemployed and thus not able to personally provide for herself and her son. She turned her son over to her paternal aunt, Maria Barbara, and her husband Anton Nardini. This couple adopted him, gave him their own surname, and raised him as they would their own son.
Nardini displayed extraordinary diligence in his studies, and made excellent grades. In so doing, he drew the attention of several adults. After he completed grammar school, it became clear that Paul was interested in the priesthood, and the local bishop Johannes von Geissel
Johannes von Geissel
Johannes von Geissel was a German Catholic Archbishop of Cologne and Cardinal.-Life:Gessel was born in Gimmeldingen in the Electoral Palatinate....
, had him admitted to the seminary at Speyer
Speyer
Speyer is a city of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located beside the river Rhine, Speyer is 25 km south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities...
. There, Nardini studied philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
from 1841 through 1843. Upon completing his philosophy studies, he was sent to the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich
The Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich , commonly known as the University of Munich or LMU, is a university in Munich, Germany...
by bishop Nikolaus von Weis. There, Nardini obtained a degree in theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
, and graduated summa cum laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
.
On June 5, 1846, he received minor orders
Minor orders
The minor orders are the lowest ranks in the Christian clergy. The most recognized minor orders are porter, lector, exorcist, and acolyte. In the Latin rite Catholic Church, the minor orders were in most cases replaced by "instituted" ministries of lector and acolyte, though communities that use...
. The next day, he was ordained a subdeacon
Subdeacon
-Subdeacons in the Orthodox Church:A subdeacon or hypodeacon is the highest of the minor orders of clergy in the Orthodox Church. This order is higher than the reader and lower than the deacon.-Canonical Discipline:...
. He was sent back to Speyer on the completion of his studies, and was ordained a deacon
Deacon
Deacon is a ministry in the Christian Church that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions...
on August 11. The following August, he was ordained to be a priest in the cathedral.
In his first years in the priesthood, Nardini served as the vicar of a parish in Frankenthal
Frankenthal
Frankenthal is a town in southwestern Germany, in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.- History :Frankenthal was first mentioned in 772. In 1119 an Augustinian monastery was built here, the ruins of which — known, after the founder, as the Erkenbertruine — still stand today in the town...
, regent of another parish in Geinsheim
Trebur
Trebur is a community in Groß-Gerau district in Hesse, Germany. It is 13 km southeast of Mainz, and 8 km south of Rüsselsheim.-Location:Trebur is located in the Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region...
, and prefect of the diocesan boarding school of Speyer. In February 1851, Nardini was made the parish priest of the diffuclt and financially poor Pirmasens
Pirmasens
Pirmasens is a district-free city in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, near the border with France. It is famous for the manufacture of shoes. The surrounding rural district was called Pirmasens from 1818 until 1997, when it was renamed Südwestpfalz....
parish. Nardini requested that his mother relocate to his new assignment with him, and she accepted. Nardini was noted for his remarkable character during this period. His example of sacrifice, determination, self-abnegation, and apostolic zeal was very important in evangelizing and drawing people to the church in the largely Protestant area. His effectiveness as a priest, combined with his preaching and cathecizing skills and his love of the Eucharist, earned him a reputation for sanctity and led to his being called the "Father of the Poor" in the community.
Nardini became very concerned about the conditions in which the poor children and older adults in the Pirmasens area were forced to live. In 1853, he requested that the Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer of Niederborn come into Pirmasens to help in the education of the poor children of the area. He also asked them to help in the care of the sick and those who suffered from material or spiritual misery, regardless of their race or religion. After two years, it became clear that the amount of work to be done was more than the nuns could handle, and they were recalled.
Nardini then brought in four young women from the Franciscan third order. On March 2, 1855, these sisters founded with Nardini the Congregation of Poor Franciscans of Pirmasens. They would eventually change their name to the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Family, and still later to the Sisters of Mallersdorf. Nardini personally took on the work of the care and formation of the sisters of the new order. He also ensured that their food and lodging in the economically challenged area was regularly secured, often at the cost of depriving him of his own meals. While performing a work of mercy
Works of Mercy
The Works of Mercy or Acts of Mercy are actions and practices which Christianity in general, and the Methodist Church, Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church in particular, consider expectations to be fulfilled by believers, and are a means of grace, which aid in sanctification.The...
, delivering the Viaticum
Viaticum
Viaticum is a term used especially in the Roman Catholic Church for the Eucharist administered, with or without anointing of the sick, to a person who is dying, and is thus a part of the last rites...
to a dying parishioner on a cold night in the winter of 1861-1862, Nardini contracted pulmonary typhus
Typhus
Epidemic typhus is a form of typhus so named because the disease often causes epidemics following wars and natural disasters...
. He died as a result of the disease on January 27, 1862.
Veneration
Nardini was considered a saintSaint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
by the members of his community, and by all the sisters of the order which he had founded, who at the time of his death numbered 220 in 35 locations. His mortal remains were entombed in the Chapel of the Congregation of the order he founded in Pirmasens. The cause for his beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
was begun in June, 1997, in the Diocese of Speyer
Diocese of Speyer
The Diocese of Speyer is a diocese of the Catholic Church in Germany. The diocese is located in the South of the Rhineland-Palatinate and comprises also the Saarpfalz district in the east of the Saarland. The bishop's see is in the Palatinate city of Speyer.The current bishop is Karl-Heinz...
. On December 19, 2005, Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
officially recognized the heroic virtue
Heroic virtue
Heroic virtue is a phrase coined by Augustine of Hippo to describe the virtue of early Christian martyrs and used by the Roman Catholic church. The Greek pagan term hero described a person with possibly superhuman abilities and great goodness, and "it connotes a degree of bravery, fame, and...
s of Nardini, thus formally making him eligible for beatification. Six months later, on June 26, 2006, the Pope officially recognized the miracle required for Nardini's beatification, the miraculous healing of one of the nuns of the order he founded, Stephana Beyer, from late-stage cancer, which happened after the sisters of her order prayed at Nardini's tomb for her. Pope Benedict XVI authorized the Congregation for the Causes of Saints
Congregation for the Causes of Saints
The Congregation for the Causes of Saints is the congregation of the Roman Curia which oversees the complex process that leads to the canonization of saints, passing through the steps of a declaration of "heroic virtues" and beatification...
to promulgate his cause.
Speyer Cathedral
The Speyer Cathedral, officially the Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St Stephen, in Latin: Domus sanctae Mariae Spirae in Speyer, Germany, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Speyer and is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Bamberg. The cathedral, which is dedicated to St...
by Cardinal Friedrich Wetter, who read an Apostolic Letter from the pope officially recognizing Nardini as beatified. There were some 2,000 people present for the ceremony, including some 600 nuns of the order he founded, with thousands of others watching the ceremony on closed circuit television in the square of the cathedral. It was the first beatification in Germany in 10 years, and the first one in which the pope himself was not present. The current bishop of Speyer
Bishop of Speyer
The Bishop of Speyer is the Ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Speyer, which is a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Bamberg.The diocese covers an area of 5,893 km².The current bishop is Karl-Heinz Wiesemann.-List of bishops:-References:...
, Anton Schlembach
Anton Schlembach
Anton Schlembach is bishop emeritus and the former 95th Bishop of Speyer.Schlembach was born in Großwenkheim, in Münnerstadt, Germany in the archdiocese of Würzburg. There he became vicar general....
, called Nardini a "highly gifted minister" who "opened people's eyes to the necessity and beauty of the priesthood".