Background
Francis Anthony Matignon was born on November 10, 1753 in Paris of a good family.
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Francis Anthony Matignon
Edit ProfileEducation
Early in life he displayed talents of a high order and was prepared for the Seminary of Saint Sulpice, from which he received the bachelorate in divinity. As a Sulpician, he was ordained on September 19, 1778, and on the completion of four years as a curate, he entered the Sorbonne, from which he received a doctor's degree in theology (1785).
Career
Assigned to the chair of theology in the College of Navarre, he continued teaching until 1789, when, through Cardinal de Brienne, he obtained an annuity from Louis XVI. As a royalist, he was compelled to flee the wrath of the Revolutionists and sought refuge in England. Returning later to Paris, he set out from there in 1792 for Baltimore with three distinguished Sulpicians, Abbés Richard, Maréchal, and Francis Cicquard. Bishop Carroll assigned him to the small Catholic church in School Street, Boston, where the over-zealous convert, John Thayer, had aroused rather than allayed Puritan hostility. In 1799, since the old church was outgrown, he commenced the collection of funds for Holy Trinity Church in Franklin Square. Fully a fifth of the amount was subscribed by Protestant friends, including President Adams; Charles Bulfinch donated his services as architect. Recognizing the epochal character of the occasion in New England, Bishop Carroll accepted Father Matignon's invitation and consecrated the edifice (1803). Renewing their efforts, the inseparable priests gathered a congregation of about a thousand communicants. Bishop Carroll petitioned Rome to have Boston made a see with Matignon as bishop, and when the latter learned of the fact he offered strong protest, even threatening to leave for France, and urged that Father Cheverus be named. Appointed bishop in 1808, Cheverus retained Matignon as pastor and served as his curate when not on missions. In 1813, while on his way to New York, Matignon was forced by a Sunday anti-traveling law to remain in Hartford, where he experienced the unusual courtesy of being permitted the use of the First Church of Christ, Congregationalist, of which Dr. Nathan Strong was pastor, for Catholic services. On his death, Boston thronged to pay respect to the humble priest, over whose funeral services Bishop Cheverus presided, and to follow his remains to the Granary burial ground, from which they were soon removed to the new St. Augustine's Cemetery in South Boston.
Achievements
Personality
Matignon considered as scholar and a gentleman, the French abbé with kindness, humility, and quiet demeanor disarmed even the most captious critics.
References
- The Life and Times of John Carroll, Vol. 1: Archbishop of Baltimore (1735-1815) (Classic Reprint)
- Sketches of the Establishment of the Church in New England (Classic Reprint)
- Memorial Volume of the One Hundredth Anniversary Celebration of the Dedication of the Church of the Holy Cross, Boston (Classic Reprint)
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Born
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Died
September 19, 1818 (aged 65) -
Nationality
American -
Religion
Roman Catholic -
Political Party
Congregationalist