Background
He was born on February 6, 1814 at Ahuille, near Laval, France.
He was born on February 6, 1814 at Ahuille, near Laval, France.
Having completed his collegiate studies with high honors, he entered the diocesan seminary and was ordained priest on May 27, 1838.
The Abbe Basil Antoine Moreau, a professor in the seminary at Le Mans, had recently organized a community of priests of the diocese and to this band he later added a society of lay brothers, giving to the united group the title Congregation of Holy Cross.
Attracted by the ideals of the new society, Father Sorin entered it and made his profession August 15, 1840. About this time Bishop Hailandiere of Vincennes, Indiana, then in France, asked the new community to send missionaries to his diocese. After due consideration, the community decided to send Father Sorin and six brothers. They sailed from Havre as steerage passengers on the packet Iowa and arrived in New York September 13, 1841.
Traveling mostly by water, they arrived at Vincennes about a month later. At first they settled at St. Peter's in Daviess County, about twenty-seven miles from Vincennes. The following year Bishop Hailandiere offered to Sorin a plot of land near South Bend, in St. Joseph County, on condition that he start a college within two years. Accompanied by the brothers, Father Sorin started for the new site, called by Father Badin, the original owner, Sainte Marie des Lacs.
Arriving November 26, 1842, he set about at once to fulfil the condition laid down by the bishop. He sent back to France for more priests and brothers and began to build. In the meantime he had obtained from the General Assembly of Indiana, January 15, 1844, a charter for Notre Dame University. The first college building was completed in time for the initial commencement exercises in June 1844.
Father Sorin continued as president until 1865 and he, more than any one else, shaped the traditions and spirit of Notre Dame. He also acted as provincial superior and together with his fellow religious took care of the mission posts in northeastern Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Michigan. The college progressed steadily under his guidance despite extreme financial difficulties, several fires, and even a plague of cholera which seriously depleted the ranks of the little community.
In 1843 Father Sorin brought to America from Le Mans some Sisters of Holy Cross and the following year established them at Bertrand, Mich. , about five miles from Notre Dame. Under his direction, this band of zealous women grew rapidly into a large community conducting schools in all parts of the country.
In 1854 he secured the site of the present motherhouse adjacent to Notre Dame and moved there the sisters' community house and academy.
In 1865 he began the publication of Ave Maria, a family magazine of influence and importance. Immediately following the outbreak of the Civil War he sent priests and sisters to care for the soldiers.
In 1883 he assisted in the deliberations of the Plenary Council of Baltimore.
Quotes from others about the person
Timothy Edward Howard has provided a first-person account of what Sorin said inside Sacred Heart Church: "I was then present when Father Sorin, after looking over the destruction of his life-work, stood at the altar steps of the only building left and spoke to the community what I have always felt to be the most sublime words I ever listened to. There was absolute faith, confidence, resolution in his very look and pose. 'If it were ALL gone, I should not give up!' were his words in closing. The effect was electric. It was the crowning moment of his life. A sad company had gone into the church that day. They were all simple Christian heroes as they came out. There was never more a shadow of a doubt as to the future of Notre Dame. "
He was never married.