Theodosius Florentini

Theodosius Florentini (born at Münster, in the Grisons, Switzerland, 23 May1808; died at Heiden, in Appenzell, 15 February1865) was a Swiss Capuchin monk, a founder of Catholic religious orders and institutions.

life

He entered the Capuchin Franciscan Order, 22 October, 1825, was ordained priest in 1830, and appointed novice master, and lecturer on philosophy and theology. In 1838 he became guardian at Baden; in 1845 superior and parish priest at Chur; in 1857 definitor, and in 1860 vicar-general of the Diocese of Chur.

After the Sonderbund war, the Radical party opposed Catholic interests. In consequence of his defence of the Church, Father Theodosius fled to Alsace in 1841. In August of the same year he returned. He founded the Institute of the Franciscan Sisters of the Holy Cross. In the Capuchin church at Altorf on 16 October, 1844, the first three sisters received the habit of the Third Order of St. Francis. Their constitutions enjoin upon them to make themselves all to all in order to win souls to Christ and to do nothing which might repel any from their mode of life. From this foundation grew the congregation of teaching sisters, with their mother-house at Memingen.

Later on Father Theodosius founded the congregation of Sisters of Mercy at Ingenbohl. Both were actively engaged in educational works; the Sisters of Mercy set up, besides, homes for the poor and sick, and undertook private nursing.

In the meantime Father Theodosius was himself busy as a schoolmaster. He superintended the people's schools (Volksschülen), which are attended by others besides the poor. He promoted continuation schools and was in favour of technical instruction for apprentices and workmen. He founded anew the suppressed Jesuit College, Maria-Hilf zu Schwyz. To stir up anew Catholic life he engaged in popular missions and retreats for priests.

The institution of the annual conference of the Swiss bishops was largely due to his efforts. To bring Swiss Catholics together to strengthen Catholic feeling, and to organize social works, he founded the Pius Society.

He was very keen upon the care and inspection of the helpless and dependent, such as boarded-out children, apprentices, neglected children, and discharged prisoners. With regard to the labour question Father Theodosius expressed himself in his speech at Frankfort in 1863. In demanding the Christianizing of industry, trade unions, and workmen's credit banks, he said:

:"Formerly monasteries were turned into factories, now factories must become monasteries, and the profits must be shared with the workers". Factories were established to carry out this idea, but they failed, owing to a lack of business capacity in the founders. At Ingenbohl Father Theodosius founded a printing and book-binding establishment and a society for the distribution of books.

Works

Among his own writings are the "Legends of the Saints" in four volumes.

References

*Krauthahn, "P. Theodosius" (St. Gall, 1865);
*Elsner, "P. Theodosius" (Lucerne, 1865);
*Fuhrer, "Leben u. Wirken des P. Theodosius" (Ingenbohl, 1878);
*Planta, "P. Theodosius" (Bern, 1893);
*Vesch, "P. Theodosius Florentini" (Ingenbohl, 1897)