Clovis Veuthey
Swiss Conventual Franciscan, theologian, and founder of the Crusade of Charity, declared Venerable in 2021.
Contemporaries
Figures and markers around the normalized period for this entry.
Guided reading
5 reading sections
Biography
Youth, formation, and ordination of Clovis Emmanuel Veuthey in Switzerland and Germany.
Clovis Emmanuel Veuthey was born on March 3, 1896, in Dorénaz, Switzerland. The sixth of seven children, he studied in Sion and then became a schoolteacher in 1913. After a pilgrimage to Einsiedeln in 1920, he felt the religious call. In 1921, he entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Bavaria under the name Brother Léon. He was ordained a priest in Fribourg on August 16, 1925.
Life and work
Academic career in Fribourg and Rome, foundation of the Crusade of Charity, and ministry to workers in Bordeaux.
Father Léon Veuthey taught in Fribourg and then in Rome (Urbaniana University and Seraphicum). In 1945, he founded the Crusade of Charity in Assisi with the approval of Pius XII. He collaborated with Chiara Lubich and the Focolare movement, initiating the Crusade of Unity in 1950. From 1954 to 1965, he exercised a humble ministry among workers in Bordeaux, before returning to Rome where he passed away in 1974.
Journey toward holiness
Reputation for holiness and opening of the beatification process in Rome.
His reputation for holiness was consolidated after his death due to his piety, his humility in the face of illness, and his devotion. The diocesan beatification process opened in Rome on October 25, 2002, under Cardinal Camillo Ruini and concluded in 2007. The validity of the inquiry was decreed in 2008, followed by the publication of the Positio in 2010.
Beatification and canonization
Recognition of heroic virtues by Pope Francis in 2021.
On March 17, 2021, Pope Francis authorized the promulgation of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of Clovis (Léon) Veuthey, conferring upon him the title of Venerable. The recognition of a miracle is now required for his beatification.
Spirituality and legacy
Franciscan spirituality of love and unity, and the impact of his foundations.
Rooted in the theology of Saint Bonaventure and John Duns Scotus, his spirituality unites mystical contemplation and concrete action. His legacy endures through the Crusade of Charity, the Crusade of Unity, and his influence on the Focolare movement.
Frequently asked questions about Clovis Veuthey
Who was Clovis Veuthey?
Swiss Conventual Franciscan, theologian, and founder of the Crusade of Charity, declared Venerable in 2021.
Which saints were contemporaries of Clovis Veuthey?
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 Clovis Veuthey die?
Clovis Veuthey died around 1896.
What are the other names of Clovis Veuthey?
Other forms of the name: Léon Veuthey, Frère Léon and Clovis Emmanuel Veuthey.
Who are the relatives of Clovis Veuthey?
Relatives of Clovis Veuthey: Jean-Pierre Veuthey (father) and Euphrosine (mother).
Annexes & related entities
Structured data for exploration: events, miracles, quotes, places, attributes, patronages, and important entities cited in the text.
Key Events
- Era / death: 1896-1974
- Decree of venerability by Francis