Henry Behrens

Background

Henry Behrens was born on December 10, 1815, at Munstadt, Hanover.

Career

Henry entered the Society of Jesus December 27, 1832, at Stäffis (Estavayer), Switzerland, and spent the next ten years in the ascetical and scientific training customary in his order. His first position as educator in the College of Freiburg, which disclosed an uncommon ability, was terminated in 1847 by the political troubles in Switzerland. The city had joined the Sonderbund. It was conquered by the troops of the opposition who were bent on killing the Jesuits. After all the other Jesuits had fled from the college, Behrens alone remained in disguise, and by his courage and presence of mind prevented the destruction of the building and saved much of its property. Later a hasty flight with a number of hairbreadth escapes saved his life.

Some forty of the exiled Jesuits were sent to found an institution in America, with Behrens as superior. Among them were Father Anthony Anderleddy, later Superior General of the order, and Father Miege, who eventually became Vicar Apostolic of Kansas. The journey from Antwerp to New York, made in a frail sailing vessel under a rather inexperienced captain and a less experienced crew, lasted forty-two days, and ended in a great disappointment. At New York the exiles learned that the institution they intended to found had become impossible by the death of the bishop who had invited them to America. So Behrens returned home, after providing for his charges as best he could.

The Jesuits, now exiled from Switzerland, began to work in Germany. Behrens may be said to have been one of the pillars of the new German province. He always held responsible positions. Nearly all the time he was master of novices and local superior. For three years he governed the province as Provincial. During the Franco-Prussian War he acted as superior of the Jesuits who labored in the German army as chaplains and nurses. He soon brought it about that the Jesuits and other religious, including the Sisters, became the preferred workers in the hospitals, though at first they had been merely tolerated. In spite of these unselfish services to the country, the Jesuits, two years later, were expelled from Germany. For a second time Behrens was a man without a country. The German Jesuits at that time had in America what was called the Buffalo Mission, that is, several houses which were in many ways independent of the American Jesuit authorities. The Buffalo Mission became the field of Behrens's activity for the rest of his life.

He arrived at Buffalo, in 1872, and at once became superior of the Mission. He held this office 1872-1878, and again 1886-1892. His first care was to learn the language of the country, a task to which the man of nearly sixty devoted himself with the alacrity of a studious boy. His administration was marked by that vigor combined with paternal kindness which had always distinguished him. He wanted his men to be earnest workers, inspired by the noblest motives, and untiring in their various occupations. In 1886 he established St. Ignatius College (now John Carroll University) at Cleveland. His zeal extended to the Indians of South Dakota, where the mission stations of St. Francis and Holy Rosary arose through his efforts. While not engaged in the duties of superior he labored humbly as one of the rank and file. What perhaps made him especially popular among the people of Buffalo was his work in the confessional, to which he remained attached all the years of his life. He also acted as chaplain in the hospitals of the city, and was indefatigable in caring for the inmates of the Good Shepherd Home. The Golden Jubilee of his priesthood, in 1892, was an almost citywide celebration. All who had come within the radius of his kind, if somewhat stern, influence were his devoted friends.

Achievements

• Henry Behrens was a well-known priest of the Society of Jesus who served as Superior of the Buffalo Mission (1872-1878, 1886-1892) and Spiritual Father and Confessor at Canisius. He also established St. Ignatius College (now John Carroll University) at Cleveland in 1886 and brought to America the Franciscan Sisters of Penance and Christian Charity from Holland.

Membership

Henry Behrens was a member of the Society of Jesus.