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From a French pioneer of the American frontier to Pope Leo XIV: Sister Lyn Osiek's long missionary journey

Catholic Intelligence1 min read

Sister Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, described the missionary legacy of Philippine Duchesne and the Society of the Sacred Heart during an interview in Saint Louis. Osiek, a New Testament scholar and former archivist for the Society of the Sacred Heart United States-Canada Province, noted that Duchesne arrived in North America in 1818.

Osiek stated that Duchesne originally intended to serve in China or Canada before arriving in the Mississippi Valley. At the time, Duchesne viewed the region as part of French colonial civilization rather than the United States. Osiek explained that Duchesne was part of a broader movement of French missionaries who made up the majority of Catholic missionaries globally by the end of the nineteenth century.

The discussion also connected this missionary history to Pope Leo XIV, who moved from Chicago to Peru and Rome. Osiek, who taught Robert Francis Prevost at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, addressed the achievements and the difficult history of the Society, including its involvement with slavery.

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