Charles Nerinckx
Encyclopedia
Rev. Charles Nerinckx was a Roman Catholic missionary priest who migrated from Belgium
to work in Kentucky
. He founded the Sisters of Loretto
religious order.
on 2 October 1761.
Nerinckx was educated at the University of Louvain
and upon completion of his theological training at the Theological seminary of Mechelen
was ordained a priest
in 1785.
He became vicar at the cathedral of Mechelen
, where he was noted for his zeal among the working classes. In 1794 he obtained the pastoral charge of Everberg-Meerbeek (today part of the municipality of Kortenberg
). When the army of the French Republic invaded Belgium in 1797, it persecuted Catholic priests in a move to decrease the power of the church, as it had in France. An order for Nerinckx's arrest was issued, and the priest went into hiding for the next four years. He fled in disguise to the city of Dendermonde
and hid in the chapel of St. Blase, where he served as a chaplain.
Nerinckx immigrated to the United States in 1804. Bishop John Carroll
assigning him to assist Rev. Stephen Badin
, the only priest in Kentucky
, in 1805. The district given to his charge was over two hundred miles in length and covered nearly half the state. Nerinckx organized new congregations and oversaw the building of churches. Word of Nerinckx’s efforts reached the Holy See
. The Pope
sought to appoint him Bishop
of New Orleans, but Nerinckx refused the honor.
With a focus on Catholic education, Nerickx founded the Sisters of Loretto as a teaching order in 1812. It was formally designated the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross. Nerinckx also founded the first congregation of black Catholic nuns in the United States in 1824. They were a separate community from the Sisters of Loretto, and later disbanded.
Nerinckx died at Ste. Genevieve
, Missouri
on 12 August 1824.
and named in honor of Nerinckx.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
to work in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. He founded the Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto
Sisters of Loretto or the Loretto Community is a Catholic religious institution, which, according to their mission statement, "strive[s] to bring the healing Spirit of God into our world" and is committed "to improving the conditions of those who suffer from injustice, oppression, and deprivation...
religious order.
Early life and education
Nerinckx was born in Herffelingen, BelgiumBelgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on 2 October 1761.
Nerinckx was educated at the University of Louvain
Old University of Leuven
The Old University of Leuven is the name historians give to the university, or studium generale, founded in Leuven, Brabant , in 1425, and closed in 1797, a week after the cession to the French Republic of the Austrian Netherlands and the principality of Liège by the Treaty of Campo Formio.When...
and upon completion of his theological training at the Theological seminary of Mechelen
Mechelen
Mechelen Footnote: Mechelen became known in English as 'Mechlin' from which the adjective 'Mechlinian' is derived...
was ordained a priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
in 1785.
He became vicar at the cathedral of Mechelen
St. Rumbolds Cathedral
St. Rumbold's Cathedral is the Belgian metropolitan archiepiscopal cathedral in Mechelen, dedicated to an assumedly Irish or Scottish Christian missionary and martyr who had founded an abbey nearby....
, where he was noted for his zeal among the working classes. In 1794 he obtained the pastoral charge of Everberg-Meerbeek (today part of the municipality of Kortenberg
Kortenberg
Kortenberg is a municipality located in the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. The municipality comprises the towns of Erps-Kwerps, Everberg, Kortenberg proper and Meerbeek. In the southern part of Everberg there is a hamlet called Vrebos. Between Erps and Meerbeek another hamlet, called...
). When the army of the French Republic invaded Belgium in 1797, it persecuted Catholic priests in a move to decrease the power of the church, as it had in France. An order for Nerinckx's arrest was issued, and the priest went into hiding for the next four years. He fled in disguise to the city of Dendermonde
Dendermonde
Dendermonde is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek. The municipality comprises the city of Dendermonde proper and the towns of Appels, Baasrode, Grembergen, Mespelare, Oudegem, Schoonaarde, and Sint-Gillis-bij-Dendermonde...
and hid in the chapel of St. Blase, where he served as a chaplain.
Nerinckx immigrated to the United States in 1804. Bishop John Carroll
John Carroll (bishop)
John Carroll, was the first Roman Catholic bishop and archbishop in the United States — serving as the ordinary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He is also known as the founder of Georgetown University, the oldest Catholic university in the United States, and St...
assigning him to assist Rev. Stephen Badin
Stephen Badin
Reverend Fr. Stephen Theodore Badin was ordained a priest by Bishop John Carroll on May 25, 1793. His was the first Roman Catholic priest ordination in the United States.-Early life:...
, the only priest in Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, in 1805. The district given to his charge was over two hundred miles in length and covered nearly half the state. Nerinckx organized new congregations and oversaw the building of churches. Word of Nerinckx’s efforts reached the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
. The Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
sought to appoint him Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
of New Orleans, but Nerinckx refused the honor.
With a focus on Catholic education, Nerickx founded the Sisters of Loretto as a teaching order in 1812. It was formally designated the Friends of Mary at the Foot of the Cross. Nerinckx also founded the first congregation of black Catholic nuns in the United States in 1824. They were a separate community from the Sisters of Loretto, and later disbanded.
Nerinckx died at Ste. Genevieve
Ste. Genevieve, Missouri
Ste. Genevieve is a city in and the county seat of Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,654 at the 2000 census...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
on 12 August 1824.
Legacy and honors
Nerinx Hall, a private secondary school for girls, was founded by the Sisters of Loretto in 1924 in Webster Groves, MissouriWebster Groves, Missouri
Webster Groves is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 22,995 at the 2010 census. The city is named after New England politician Daniel Webster....
and named in honor of Nerinckx.
Further reading
- Herbermann, Charles G., LL.D. Life of Rev. Charles Nerinckx: Book Review in Historical Records and Studies: Volume 9, by United States Catholic Historical Society. New York: United States Catholic Historical Society (1916) at p. 227-236. (A review of Howlett's book which gives roughly detailed outline of Nerinckx's life)
- Howlett, Rev. W.J. Life of Rev. Charles Nerinckx, Pioneer Missionary of Kentucky and Founder of the Sisters of Loretto. (8 vo.) (1915) also known as Life of Rev. Charles Nerinckx: pioneer missionary of Kentucky and founder of the Sisters at the Foot of the Cross 447pp. Mission Press S.V.D. (1915)
- Maes, Rev. Camillus Paul. The life of Rev. Charles Nerinckx: with a chapter on early Catholic missions of Kentucky; copious notes on the progress of Catholicity in the United States of America, from 1800–1825; an account of the establishment of the Society of Jesus in Missouri; and an historical sketch of the Sisterhood of Loretto in Kentucky, Missouri, New Mexico, Etc. (full title) 635pp. Cincinnati: R. Clarke & Co. (1880).