Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval

Biography

Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval, also known as the Apostle of Mauritius, was born on September 18, 1803, in Croth, Normandy, France. He came from a devout family and was deeply influenced by the examples set by his mother and his uncle, who was a priest. However, tragedy struck at a young age when Jacques' mother passed away when he was only seven years old.

As he grew older, Jacques found himself torn between a career in the priesthood and pursuing medicine. He received his education at local schools in Normandy and later attended Evreux and Stanislaus College in Paris, where he obtained his medical degree in 1830. Jacques then established a successful medical practice in Saint André and Saint Ivry-la-Bataille in Normandy, becoming more focused on worldly matters and neglecting his spiritual life.

However, a life-altering event occurred when Jacques had a near-fatal fall from a horse. This incident forced him to re-evaluate his priorities and reconsider the direction of his life. A few months later, he made the decision to close his medical practice and entered the seminary of Saint Sulpice. After four years of intense preparation and study, Jacques was ordained a priest in 1838.

Initially serving as a parish priest in Normandy for two years, Jacques felt a calling for more active and missionary work. Inspired by his newfound dedication to his spiritual vocation, he gave away all his possessions to the Society of the Holy Heart of Mary, which later evolved into the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and Immaculate Heart of Mary. On September 14, 1841, Jacques was sent as a missionary to Mauritius, a small island where slavery had only recently been abolished.

Arriving in Mauritius, Jacques encountered a population of freed slaves who were impoverished, uneducated, and treated as second-class citizens. He devoted himself to the service of these marginalized individuals, immersing himself in their lives, learning their language, and tirelessly working to improve their social, medical, and spiritual conditions. Despite facing challenges, Jacques used his medical training to provide healing, implemented reforms in agriculture and sanitation, and focused on educating the people. He firmly believed in the inherent dignity of every person and that no one should be considered second class in the eyes of God.

Jacques' dedication and love for the people he served led to a remarkable spread of the Catholic faith in the region. It is estimated that he made around 67,000 conversions in his parish. Notably, he embraced interfaith dialogue and collaboration, working alongside leaders of local Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities.

Upon his death on September 9, 1864, in Port Louis, Mauritius, Jacques left behind an enduring legacy. His funeral witnessed an unprecedented gathering of around 40,000 mourners from various faiths, a testament to the profound impact he had on the lives of people regardless of their religious background. In Mauritius, the date of his death has become a national holiday, and an average of 100,000 pilgrims, encompassing Christians, Animists, Buddhists, Shintoists, Hindus, and Muslims, visit his tomb at the Church of Saint Croix in Port Louis each year. The site is renowned for miracles associated with his intercession.

Recognizing his exemplary virtues, Jacques Désiré Laval was declared venerable on June 22, 1972, by Pope Paul VI. Later, he was beatified by Pope John Paul II on April 29, 1979, becoming the first beatified member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit and Immaculate Heart of Mary. His tomb continues to be a powerful place of pilgrimage and devotion, drawing thousands who seek his intercession and inspiration.