Félix de Jesús Rougier

Fr. Felix of Jesus Rougier (December 17, 1859, Meilhaud, France — January 10, 1938, Mexico City) was a Catholic priest, a founder of several institutes of consecrated life, and was declared venerable in the year 2000.

The Venerable Servant of God Fr. Felix Rougier was born on December 17, 1859 in Meilhaud, France. His parents were Benedict and Maria Luisa Olanier Rougier. He had two brothers: Emmanuel, who was initially a missionary in Oceania but later quit the priesthood, and Estanislao, who distinguished himself as an untiring promoter of social action, defending farmers from their land.

Initially, Felix Rougier was thinking of becoming a doctor. However, his vision soon radically changed after meeting the bishop, Monsignor Eloy, who spoke at length about the missions to over 300 students, including young Felix. Because of this, Felix felt a very intense desire to become a missionary, which never left him.

His motto became "Love the Holy Spirit and make Him loved ..."

After reflecting on his vocation as a missionary, Felix decided to enter the Society of Mary (Marist) where he was admitted and recognized by his obedience and happy surrender to his ministry. When the day of his ordination grew near, he developed a strong arthritis in his right arm. This was cause to prevent his ordination since at that time good health was a fundamental requirement for the priesthood. However, after painful testing of his condition, he was miraculously cured by St. John Bosco who later would say, "God will make you win many souls." Don Bosco was known for his ability to work extraordinary wonders in people and he did this in Felix. Although the problem with his arm was not entirely removed, the improvement was extraordinary and the strength in his arm increased over time, ultimately saving his right arm. Finally, he was ordained as a priest on September 24, 1887.

Fr. Felix’s dream was to be a missionary in Oceania, but initially his journey there was suspended due to the illness in the arm. His superiors sent him to Colombia where he developed an extensive educational effort and faced the challenges of the Thousand Days' War. He conducted a national ministry collecting food and delivering it to the hungry. Also, he devoted himself to accompanying the soldiers in their last hours and times of illness. He risked his life during the war to hear confessions and attend to the wounded, once even defending the cloak on a corpse that would have been desecrated by the man’s enemies.

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