Welcome to the Founder's Page, dedicated to the life, spirituality, mission, and enduring legacy of Fr. Leo John Dehon, Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians).

This section offers an opportunity to discover the remarkable journey of a priest whose profound devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus inspired a worldwide mission of love, reparation, service, and social commitment. From his early life and vocation to the foundation of the Congregation, Fr. Dehon's story is one of faith, courage, and unwavering dedication to the Kingdom of God.

Here, visitors can explore his biography, historical background, spiritual writings, charism, apostolic vision, and the circumstances that led to the birth and growth of the Congregation. You will also find insights into his teachings on the Sacred Heart, his concern for social justice, his educational and pastoral initiatives, and the values that continue to guide Dehonians across the world today.

More than a historical figure, Fr. Dehon remains a source of inspiration for all who seek to live a life rooted in the love of Christ and dedicated to the service of others. His legacy continues through the ministries, communities, and works of the Congregation, carrying forward his dream of a world transformed by the love of the Heart of Jesus.

We invite you to journey through the life and mission of Fr. Dehon and discover how his vision continues to shape the identity and mission of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in Southern Africa and throughout the world.

Adveniat Regnum Tuum — Thy Kingdom Come.

Leo Dehon was born on March 14th 1843, in La Capelle, France. From adolescence onwards he felt called to be a priest although it was against his father’s will. Following the wishes of his father he went and studied Civil Law in Paris and accepted the offer (again by his father) to go on a journey, to several regions, including the Holy Land, in an attempt to help him to forget the idea of becoming a priest.

But on his return, Leo asked to begin at Santa Chiara Seminary in Rome where he did his studies in Theology and Canon Law.
On December 19th, 1868 he was ordained a priest, in the presence and with the agreement of his parents. Appointed as one of the parish curates in St. Quentin, he accepted his mission with enthusiasm and was able to take on pastoral initiatives connected with the most diverse types of work: oratory, college, youth ministry, and the working class.

He was a cultured priest, both spiritual and dynamic, yet something was disturbing him. So after a long period of discernment, he made the decision to found the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on June 28th, 1878, the day of his First Profession. The principle aim of the Congregation was to be devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to spread his Reign in the hearts of the faithful and in society.

His cultural formation and sensibility led him to work in the social and missionary fields, spreading the social doctrine of the Church through conferences, articles, magazines, newspapers and books. Of particular note is The Social Christian Manual. He has also the merit of opening the Congregation to missionary work by sending many religious to the Americas and Africa.