Louis-Désiré Maigret facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Most Reverend Louis-Désiré Maigret SS.CC. |
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| Vicar Apostolic of Sandwich Islands | |
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| Church | Roman Catholic |
| See | Titular Bishop of Arad |
| Appointed | 11 September 1846 |
| In Office | 1846-1882 |
| Predecessor | Etienne Jerome Rouchouze |
| Successor | Herman Koeckemann |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 23 September 1828 |
| Consecration | 31 October 1847 by José Hilarión Etrura Cevallos |
| Rank | Bishop |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 14, 1804 Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé, France |
| Died | June 11, 1882 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | French |
Louis-Désiré Maigret was an important French religious leader. He was born on September 14, 1804, in Saint-Pierre-de-Maillé, France. He became a priest at age 24, joining a group called the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.
Maigret later became the first leader of the Catholic Church in what was then called the Sandwich Islands. Today, this area is known as the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu in Hawaii. He worked to build the Catholic community there, especially among the native Hawaiians.
Early Missionary Journeys
In December 1837, Father Maigret traveled as a missionary to Pohnpei. This island is now part of Micronesia. He was the first missionary ever to visit Pohnpei. He sailed there on a ship called the Notre Dame de Paix.
He was joined by people from Mangareva and Tahiti. Some of these people stayed on Pohnpei and their families still live there today. After seven months, Father Maigret left Pohnpei in July 1838. His mission there was not successful at that time.
Becoming a Bishop
In 1843, the previous leader of the Catholic Church in the Pacific, Msgr. Étienne Rouchouze, was lost at sea. Because of this, Father Maigret was chosen for an important new role. On September 11, 1846, when he was 42, he became the first "vicar apostolic" for the Sandwich Islands. A vicar apostolic is a special leader chosen by the Holy See (the Pope and his advisors) to guide the Catholic Church in a specific area.
He officially became a bishop on November 28, 1847. He was 43 years old at the time. As bishop, he led the building of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. This church is still a very important Catholic building in Honolulu today.
Supporting Father Damien
Bishop Maigret played a key role in the life of another famous missionary, Father Damien de Veuster. In May 1864, Bishop Maigret ordained Father Damien as a priest in the Honolulu cathedral. He also strongly supported Father Damien's important work with people suffering from leprosy.
Bishop Maigret passed away on June 11, 1882. He was buried in a special crypt beneath the main part of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.
