Franz Xavier Wernz facts for kids
Franz Xavier Wernz (born December 4, 1842 – died August 19, 1914) was an important leader of the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuit order. He was the 25th person to hold the title of Superior General. This means he was the main leader of all Jesuits around the world. He was born in a town called Rottweil, which was then part of Württemberg and is now in Germany.
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Early Life and Education
Franz Xavier Wernz was the oldest of eight children. His parents were very religious. From a young age, he wanted to become a Jesuit. This might have been because his local church in Rottweil used to be a Jesuit church. It still had many reminders of the Jesuit order. Paintings of Jesuit saints and yearly visits from Jesuit priests for special church events probably helped him decide.
He joined the Jesuit order on December 5, 1857. He began his training, called a novitiate, at Gorheim near Sigmaringen. He took his first vows on December 8, 1859. From 1864 to 1868, and again from 1872 to 1873, he worked as a teacher at the Stella Matutina (Jesuit School) in Feldkirch, Austria.
He studied theology (the study of religious faith) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence) at the Maria Laach and Aachen abbeys.
Challenges and Teaching Career
During this time, a conflict called the Kulturkampf happened in Germany. The German leader, Chancellor Bismarck, expelled the Jesuits from the country. Because of this, Jesuit students, including Wernz, had to leave.
After a short stay at Stella Matutina, they found safety at a Jesuit college called Ditton Hall in Lancashire, England. Later, in 1881, they moved to St Beuno's in Wales.
After a year of personal study, Wernz became a professor. He taught canon law, which is the set of rules and laws of the Catholic Church. He taught at Ditton Hall and later at St Beuno's. From 1882 to 1906, he taught canon law at the Gregorian University in Rome. For the last two years there, he also served as its rector, which means he was the head of the university.
Becoming Superior General
After the death of the previous Superior General, Luis Martín, a special meeting was called. This meeting, called a congregation, started on September 1, 1906, and lasted until October 18. On September 8, after several votes, 64-year-old Wernz was chosen as the new Superior General.
Leading the Jesuits
During his time as Superior General, which is called his generalate, Franz Xavier Wernz did many important things:
- He strongly encouraged Jesuits to focus on their spiritual lives.
- He opened new missions around the world.
- He created new Jesuit provinces (regions) in many different countries.
- He was especially interested in North America. He approved the creation of new Jesuit provinces, houses, and colleges across this large continent.
- He continued the important historical work started by Father Martín, called Monumenta Historica. This project collected and published historical documents about the Jesuits. Wernz encouraged Jesuit writers to keep working on this, and they did so with great excitement.
- He helped start new Jesuit magazines. One was "Voces e Maria ad Lacum," which later became "Stimmen der Zeit" in Germany. Another was "Przeglad Powszechny" in Poland.
One of his last letters was written on December 25, 1913. It was to the Jesuit Society about celebrating 100 years since the order was brought back after being suppressed for a time. This celebration was planned for the next year.
Death and Legacy
Franz Xavier Wernz served as Superior General for almost eight years, from September 8, 1906, until his death on August 19, 1914. He died just a few hours before Pope Pius X and only three weeks after World War I began. It was a very difficult time for the person who would take over his leadership.
His tomb is located in the Jesuit Mausoleum at the Roman Campo Verano cemetery.
See also
In Spanish: Franz Xaver Wernz para niños
