Life Adolph Kolping

kolping priest.

adolph kolping born on 8 december 1813 in kerpen fourth of 5 children poor shepherd peter kolping (d. 12 april 1845) , anna maria zurheyden (d. 4 april 1833). lived in shadow of frail health during childhood.

he proved able student while in school 1820 1826 poorness prevented him furthering education despite commitment pursue additional studies. in 1831 travelled cologne shoemaker s assistant , became shocked living conditions of working class lived there , proved definitive in influencing decision become priest; remained shoemaker until 1841. in summer 1834 attended 3 kings school , afterwards in 1841 began theological education in munich (1841–42) @ college there later in bonn (1842–44) , cologne (26 march 1844 – 1845). time spent on studies saw him become friends future bishop of mainz wilhelm emmanuel von ketteler.

kolping ordained priesthood on 13 april 1845 in cologne s minoritenkirche father died night before ordination full of mixed emotions. first served in elberfeld – part of wuppertal – chaplain , religious education teacher 1845 until 1849. in 1847 became second president of gesellenverein gave members both religious , social support. in 1849 returned cologne cathedral s vicar , established cologne s branch of gesellenverein. united existing associations rheinischer gesellenbund in 1850 – fusion origin of present international kolpingwerk . in 1854 founded newspaper rheinische volksblätter (or rhine region people’s paper ) became 1 of successful press organs of time @ rapid pace , first issue published 1 april. editor of catholic people s calendar 1852 1853 , of calendar catholic people 1854 1855. in 1862 became rector of saint maria empfängnis church. pope pius ix titled him monsignor in 1862 – came after pair met in rome in private audience in may discuss priest s work.

he died on 4 december 1865 due lung cancer; remains buried in minoritenkirche in cologne. kolping had suffered severe joint inflammation in right forearm spring. remembered father of apprentices , in 2003 ranked eleventh in unsere besten. pope john paul ii visited tomb in november 1980 while visiting nation.