THE RECIPIENT OF THE LETTERS

Msgr. Georg Jacquemin

​

Georg Jacquemin was born on March 27, 1853, in Echternach, Luxembourg. His poor but pious parents supported his studies and formation for the priesthood with many sacrifices. He was ordained a priest in 1877 at the age of 24. He completed his studies in Rome serving first as a chaplain and then as vice-rector in the German church of Santa Maria dell'Anima.

 

While studying for his doctorate in Theology and Canon Law, he met Mother Frances and the first sisters, who chose him as their confessor. On September 17, 1885, on behalf of Pope Leo XIII, Cardinal Vicar Lucido Maria Parocchi appointed him as spiritual director of the new community founded by Mother Frances. He kept this assignment for 35 years. Monsignor George Jacquemin first completed and then expanded the first Constitutions written by Mother Frances. As he was highly esteemed at the Congregation for Religious, he obtained the final approbation of the Constitutions on March 6, 1911, the day of the foundress’ death. He was a true spiritual director for the sisters: he collected their prayers in a manual. He offered them daily meditations, which were later put in writing. He held courses of spiritual exercises and presided over the sisters’ investitures and profession rites. He was always available for advice and he supported the sisters in their spiritual and material needs. He obtained many privileges for the community from the Holy See. His heart was open to those whom the sisters served — the sick, children and the poor — to whom he often gave his personal material help. After some misunderstandings, illness and suffering, he died in Marshfield, Wisconsin, on March 17, 1920. He is buried in a cemetery in Marshfield.