The missionary who does not possess the virtues of humility and gentleness is a malformed child in the apostolate of Jesus Christ, even if he had the zeal of Saint Paul or Saint Francis Xavier, for the foundation is lacking. The Spirit of Jesus cannot animate him; that Spirit is most often replaced by his own spirit, and at times by the spirit of darkness.

François Libermann (N.D XIII, 144)

1826 | Libermann

On approximately this date, Jacob Libermann, after beseeching the God of his fathers in the solitude of his room at St. Stanislas, receives an illumination which will change his whole life: God reveals to him that Jesus is the Messiah. He has heard the prayers of this poor distraught man; henceforth, Jacob will live only for Jesus.

1840 | Libermann

François Libermann, while waiting for a reply regarding his ordination to the priesthood, makes a pilgrimage to Loretto and Assisi. Returning to Rome, he is told that Mgr. Raess, the new coadjutor bishop of Strasbourg, is prepared to ordain him.

1863 | Martinique

The Spiritans take over the running of the school of Sainte-Marie at Fort-de-France, the forerunner of the Collège de Saint-Pierre.

1884 | Germany

The Berlin Conference. The western powers meet together in Berlin until February 26th, under the presidency of the German Chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. The treaty divides central Africa amongst European powers, proclaims the rivers Congo and Niger to be international waterways and restates the abolition of the slave trade.