Biography st peter chanel parish otara

If you’ve ever given up a lot, worked really hard, and seen almost no fruit from all your efforts, then you’re in good company with St. Peter Chanel.

Born and raised in 1803 in France, St.

Peter was one of eight children. He spent his early years as a shepherd, caring for the family flock, before his intelligence and serious manner were noticed by the parish priest.

Biography st peter chanel parish otara

After spending a few years in the local school, St. Peter eventually made his way into the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1827.

Although he deeply desired to be sent abroad to the foreign lands as a missionary, his first assignment was very close to home.

Chanel was given the post of parish priest at the church in Crozet, a small town in eastern France. Even though this assignment was not the opportunity he had been hoping for, it was what he needed to prepare him for his eventual missionary work in Oceania.

In the small parish of Crozet, Chanel discovered an empty church