François-Léon Clergue

In 1857, he was sent to Toulouse to found a new Capuchin convent at the Côte-Pavée. Nicknamed the "Apostle of the Midi" or the "Saint of Toulouse," he preached approximately 700 itinerant missions. He played a key role in Lourdes starting in 1858, initiating the torchlight procession (1863), the Blessed Sacrament procession, and the Way of the Cross at the Espélugues. He propagated the work of the "Bread of Saint Anthony," revived devotion to Saint Anthony of Padua, and published more than 80 works, including the "History of Bernadette."

In 1880, refusing to go into exile in Spain with his confreres during the anticlerical decrees, he remained alone to defend his convent. He died on February 8, 1907, in Toulouse in poverty and solitude, saying: "Know that I am going straight to Heaven!". His funeral brought together 50,000 people. Buried at Terre-Cabade, his body was exhumed intact (incorrupt) on November 14, 1935, and transferred to the chapel of the Côte-Pavée convent.

The cause was introduced in Rome in 1928 by Cardinal Saliège and Bishop Cézerac. Declared a Servant of God in 1941, his cause was relaunched in 2005 and reopened in 2008. On January 23, 2020, Pope Francis authorized the decree recognizing the heroic nature of his virtues, proclaiming him venerable. A miracle is now required for his beatification.

His spirituality is deeply Franciscan (poverty, obedience, imitation of Jesus Christ) and Marian, centered on the Immaculate Conception and Lourdes. His legacy endures through the processions of Lourdes and the Association for the Memory of Father Marie-Antoine (APMA), which promotes his cause.