Bernardo Felipe Fromental
Jean-Prosper Fromental (Brother Bernardo Felipe) was a French Lasallian religious, founder in Mexico of the congregation of the Guadalupian Sisters of La Salle.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
The life of Jean-Prosper Fromental, in religion Brother Bernardo Felipe, from his birth in Lozère to his exile in Spain, his mission in Cuba, his work in Mexico, and his final years.
Jean-Prosper Fromental (in religion Brother Bernardo Felipe, often affectionately called "Hermano Juanito" or "Brother Bernard-Philippe") was born on June 27, 1895, in Chauvets, a hamlet in the commune of Servières, in Lozère (France). Coming from a family of modest, deeply Christian peasants, he felt the call to religious life very early on. At the age of 13, on October 21, 1908, he entered the junior novitiate of the Brothers of the Christian Schools (Lasallians) in Vals.
However, due to the anti-religious laws in force in France at the beginning of the 20th century, congregations were forced into exile. In January 1909, the young Jean was sent to Spain, to Premiá de Mar, near Barcelona, to continue his formation. It was there that he had the opportunity to meet the Ecuadorian saint Brother Miguel Febres Cordero, who was his Spanish teacher. On August 31, 1911, he took the habit of a brother and, on September 20, 1912, he pronounced his first annual vows under the name of Brother Bernardo Felipe.
In July 1913, he was sent as a missionary to Cuba. He taught there in the colleges of Sancti Spiritus (Colegio de la Natividad), Havana (Vedado), and Güines (Colegio San Julián). It was in Havana that he pronounced his perpetual vows on August 5, 1920.
On January 10, 1925, he arrived in Mexico, a country that became his adopted homeland. He worked there for twenty-seven years as a primary and business teacher at the Colegio Simón Bolívar in Mexico City. It was in this country that he founded the congregation of the Guadalupian Sisters of La Salle in 1946.
In 1952, in obedience to his superiors, he had to leave Mexico and return to France, to Avignon. This forced departure was akin to a painful nineteen-year exile, during which he was forbidden to maintain any contact with the Mexican sisters and brothers. He accepted this trial in silence and prayer. On October 14, 1961, he was struck by a motorcycle in Avignon, an accident that considerably reduced his physical capabilities but which he accepted with profound humility.
In 1962, he was once again authorized to correspond with the sisters. In 1971, he finally received permission to return to Mexico. He spent the last years of his life surrounded by the affection of the religious sisters at the general house of the congregation in Mexico City, where he passed away on December 5, 1978, at the age of 83.
Life and Work
The foundation of the Institute of the Guadalupanas de La Salle Sisters, its development, and its mission of Christian education for the most destitute.
The major work of the Venerable Bernardo Felipe Fromental is the foundation of the Institute of the Guadalupanas de La Salle Sisters (Hermanas Guadalupanas de La Salle), the first Lasallian female religious congregation outside of Europe.
Around 1944, after nearly twenty years of apostolate in Mexico, Brother Bernardo Felipe noted the urgent need to create a female institute capable of collaborating with the Brothers of the Christian Schools in their educational mission to youth, particularly the poorest. With the authorization of his superiors and the invaluable help of Sister María de la Luz López (a Franciscan nun), he laid the foundations for this new institution.
On September 8, 1946, Father Ángel Oñate, Vicar General for religious, officially erected the foundation under the name 'Pía Unión de las Hermanas de las Escuelas Cristianas de Santa María de Guadalupe,' by order of the Archbishop of Mexico, Mgr Luis María Martínez. On March 19, 1948, the first novices took their vows, transforming the pious union into a true religious community.
The institute developed rapidly: * May 15, 1949: Official affiliation with the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. * June 1, 1962: Diocesan approval obtained. * April 10, 1976: Pope Paul VI granted it pontifical approval (decree of pontifical right).
The mission of the Guadalupanas de La Salle Sisters is to ensure the human and Christian education of children and young people, giving absolute priority to the most destitute, according to the pedagogy and charism of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. Today, the congregation is present in twelve countries around the world, notably in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, the United States, the Philippines, Benin, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Rwanda, and Italy.
Path to holiness
The diocesan and Roman process that led to the recognition of the heroic virtues of the Servant of God.
The reputation for holiness of Brother Bernardo Felipe Fromental spread rapidly after his death. His cause for beatification and canonization was officially introduced in the Archdiocese of Mexico: * August 2, 1995: Opening of the diocesan inquiry into the life, virtues, and reputation for holiness of the Servant of God. * September 19, 1995: Obtaining the nihil obstat decree from the Holy See. * February 27, 1999: Closing of the diocesan inquiry and transmission of the acts to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. * December 1, 2000: Decree of validity of the diocesan inquiry. * 2005: Publication of the Positio detailing his heroic virtues. * January 27, 2012 and January 19, 2013: Particular congresses of theological consultants who issued a favorable opinion. * July 2, 2013: Ordinary session of the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints confirming the heroic nature of his virtues.
Beatification and canonization
The declaration of venerability by Pope Francis in 2013 and the conditions required for his beatification.
On July 5, 2013, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of the Servant of God Jean-Prosper Fromental Cayroche (in religion Bernardo Felipe), thereby officially conferring upon him the title of Venerable. For the Venerable Bernardo Felipe to be proclaimed blessed (beatification), the Catholic Church requires the official recognition of a miracle attributed to his intercession.
Spirituality and Legacy
The foundations of his Lasallian spirituality, his heroic obedience in trial, and the endurance of his educational work.
The spirituality of Brother Bernardo Felipe Fromental rests on the pillars of the Lasallian charism: a spirit of deep faith and an ardent zeal for the salvation and education of souls. His entire life was marked by an intimate union with the crucified Christ, whom he considered the source of all apostolic fruitfulness. He distinguished himself by a filial and tender devotion to the Virgin Mary, particularly under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico, as well as to Saint Joseph, patron of his congregation. One of the most remarkable traits of his holiness was his heroic obedience and his emotional detachment. Brutally separated from his foundation in 1952 and sent into exile in France, he endured this painful rupture without ever uttering the slightest criticism toward his superiors, offering his physical and moral sufferings for the growth of the Guadalupian Sisters. His constant humor and unalterable joy, even in the midst of serious health problems and the aftereffects of his 1961 accident, testified to an inner peace deeply anchored in God. His legacy is alive today through the Guadalupian Sisters of De La Salle who, under the motto "Indivisa Manent" (Let us remain united), perpetuate his work of Christian education among the poorest youth on the planet.
Frequently asked questions about Bernardo Felipe Fromental
Who was Bernardo Felipe Fromental?
Jean-Prosper Fromental (Brother Bernardo Felipe) was a French Lasallian religious, founder in Mexico of the congregation of the Guadalupian Sisters of La Salle.
Which saints were contemporaries of Bernardo Felipe Fromental?
Contemporaries include: Jesús María Echavarría Aguirre, Pauline of the Agonizing Heart of Jesus, Narcisa de Jesús and Juan de Jesús López y González.
When did Bernardo Felipe Fromental die?
Bernardo Felipe Fromental died around 1895.
What are the other names of Bernardo Felipe Fromental?
Other forms of the name: Jean-Prosper Fromental, Frère Bernardo Felipe, Hermano Juanito, Frère Bernard-Philippe and Jean-Prosper Fromental Cayroche.
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1895-1978
- Decree of venerability by Francis