SERVANT OF GOD LOUIS SAVINIEN DUPUIS’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Origin
Louis Savinien Dupuis was born on 18th August, 1806 in the Parish of Saint Etienne of Sens –Yonne,
Bourgogne in France. He was the second child, his parents were Edme Louis Dupuis and Victoire Remy,
and his grandparents were Etienne Dupuis and Marian Dupuis. Their patronymic name was DUPUIS.

The child Louis Savinien Dupuis was baptized in the Catholics Christian faith on 19th August 1806 in the
Saint Etienne Cathedral in Sens.

The Good Lord had great plans for the young noble hearted Louis Dupuis. His parents never knew that
their younger son would become a Catholics priest and a great missionary for the welfare of the people in
India.

Edme Savinien Dupuis was his elder brother was fond of his younger brother Louis Savinien. Edme
Savinien was blessed with a son and a daughter. He financially helped his brother when he was in
Pondicherry.

Reverend Dupuis’ nephew and niece financially supported their uncle; this is mentioned in the first
Superior General, Mother Maria Natchathram’s letter and in one of Father Dupuis’ letter. In the same
letter he also mentions that six of his books were offered to his niece, a nun.
1.2 Youth
Louis Dupuis had his primary education in the school run by Jesuit Fathers and his secondary education in
the school run by the Society of Saint Sebastian. His elder brother Edme Savinien went to the same school.
Louis Dupuis was a handsome lad and an attentive student. His teachers and the class mates noticed in him
a keen intellect, extraordinary talent and an exceptional memory power. He excelled in studies and other
extra-curricular activities and won the first prizein many competitions. He participated in essay writing,
translation. He sang in the choir and he was charitable soul. He was not interested in the material world
and wanted to come closer to God, and grow more and more in spirituality.
1.3 Priesthood
Once he completed high school, he understood that God had great plans for him and he decided to join in
priesthood. His parents allowed him to join the Seminary of the Diocese of Sens - France. In the Seminary,
his good behaviour, his humble nature, his good conduct and intellectual capability were appreciated, and
Cardinal de la Fare accepted him in priesthood.
On 25th April 1829, His Grace Dupont ordained him priest.

Thanks to the young priest’s good nature and intellectual disposition, His Grace Dupont appointed him
procurator of the Seminary and as his personal Secretary.

Dupuis the former procurator of the Seminary - Sens, the former Secretary of the Bishop of Sens, was ‘a
highly esteemed person’ opines Mr.Supries. Though concise the appreciation is appropriate; this will be
proved on many occasions in Dupuis’ missionary life.

The Bishop of Sens appointed Reverend Dupuis as the Director of the Anjehel Congregation.
Though young, he was steeped in the spirit of faith, hope and charity. Later on these qualities sustained
him as Rector in the Petit Seminaire in Pondicherry; and as founder and director of the Congregation of the
Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pondicherry.

1.4 A different call - Joining the Missions Étrangères de Paris

As procurator of the Petit Seminaire and Secretary to the Bishop, Father Dupuis had the opportunity of
going to Paris in 1830. Vincent de Paul’s mortal remains, hidden during religious persecution were
 SERVANT OF GOD LOUIS SAVINIEN DUPUIS’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

recovered Dupuis represented His Grace Dupont and participated in the celebration organized by the
Missions Étrangères de Paris.

Dupuis had the opportunity of staying in the Generalate of the Missions Étrangères de Paris. Eager to
serve the poor and the downtrodden, he was deeply moved and impressed by Vincent de Paul’s lifeand his
selfless service to the poor and, his profound desire to uplift them. During his stay in the Generalate in
Missions Étrangères de Paris, he studied the objectives, aims and mission of the Society. He was moved
when he saw young priests sail abroad to work for the poor. It was in this point that he decided to join the
Missions Étrangères de Paris Society to serve the poor and the needy.

On his return from Paris he discussed with his Bishop about his decision and requested him to grant him
permission to join the Society. The Bishop refused to grant his request because of Father Dupuis’ poor
health which would not permit him to be a missionary abroad.

But he was determined, hence the Bishop yielded to his request and on 25th May 1831 he joined the
Missions Étrangères de Paris.

The training period usually lasts a year, but Dupuis was so determined that he sailed for India within forty
days. On 4th July 1831 he started for India the ship navigated through Reunion Island passing through
Mauritius. Eight months later on 9th February 1832, Dupuis reached Pondicherry. He was welcomed by
the priests of the Missions Étrangères de Paris. He stayed eighty days in Pondicherry and meanwhile
learnt some Tamil.
1.5 Father Dupuis’ Mission
On 21st August 1832 His Grace Herbert appointed him as parish priest of Saint Mary’s Basilica in
Bangalore. He was also the Chaplain for Catholics soldiers and Europeans. Mr. Brigot Beauclair writes ‘he
is a staunch Christian, a champion who never steps back. He has a great capability for learning languages.
He is the man in this tower of Babel, in this camp of Bangalore. His good disposition attracts many
Europeans, and the way he runs the administration is laudable’.

He served as parish priest of Saint Mary’s Basilica in Bangalore for eight years; during which he learnt
three languages: Telugu, Kannadam and English. These languages would help him later in his mission; he
mentioned this in a letter dated 16th July 1833, addressed to his Superior in Paris.

In 1836 His Grace Bonnand was appointed Superior of the Pondicherry Mission; he had called back to
Pondicherry Father Dupuis and in 1840 appointed him Rector and Superior of the Petit Seminaire.
1.5.1 Father Dupuis’ contribution to Tamil literature
Well aware of Father Dupuis’ zeal for Evangelization and thanks to his writing and publications in 1841
the Bishop appointed him manager of the Mission Press in Pondicherry. From 1841 to 1871, he wrote and
published in Tamil many books pertaining to religion and also some grammar books. His letters to his
Superiors in France and to the nuns are found in the archives of Missions Ètrangères de Paris.

Under Father Dupuis’ supervision, Father Giuseppe Constantino’s S.J. (also known as Beschi and
Veeramamunivar) the Christian epic “Tembavani” was printed in three volumes from to 1851 to 1853.
1.5.2 Father Dupuis’ contribution to Ecumenism
Father Dupuis in his letter dated 14th July 1834 mentions about Protestant preachers trying to attract Indian
Catholics to different sects, claiming that Catholics missionaries did not preach Jesus Christ’s teachings.
17

In Bangalore 1839, Father Dupuis retorted and wrote ‘Vedhapuratalai Maruthal’ – ‘Refutation to Heresy
against Protestantism’ enabling Catholics to strengthen their faith. These Protestant preachers tried to
 SERVANT OF GOD LOUIS SAVINIEN DUPUIS’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

pervert Catholics, unfortunately Dupuis’ poor health did not permit him to visit Catholics homes.

In 1868 he wrote two volumes on ‘Ethics of Religious Life’ - Thuravara Uthiyanam-

Once the Congregation was established, he wrote thirty eight letters from 1844 to 1874 till his last days.
These letters enable nuns to follow Jesus and to be true and faithful to the Congregation and the Church.

He stresses on these five points:

- Education of girls
- How to improve teaching techniques
- Status of the infrastructure
- Note down important events in the Congregation
- And as a concluding he gives some advice to his daughters.
1.6 Father Dupuis’ missionary commitment
In the past, Tamil girls were not educated. Even Catholics though influenced by European missionaries
did not dare to educate girls. They thought girls would lose their tradition and culture if educated. The
Church in Tamil Nadu realized the dire need of education for women. Women’s education would inspire
true piety in Christian families and would strengthen the quality of family life.

It was in God’s plan and the Diocesan Synod was convened to respond to the dire need of the period. On
18th of January 1844 Bishop His Grace Bonnand and many priests attended the Synod held in the
Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Pondicherry. It was decided to start for indigenous women, the
Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Pondicherry.

The priests present in the Synod suggested that an Indian sister’s Congregation may be started; and they
would educate girls giving them secular and moral instruction.

His Grace Bonnand President of the Synod considered that as a responsible person Father Dupuis had all
the qualities to found and promote a Congregation of nuns. Dupuis was appointed. Father Dupuis accepted
the offer mainly to free women from social bondage and promote piety in families. He invited girls to join
the Congregation; an elderly Carmelite nun was appointed as Superior. The Congregation started with
Mother Superior Sister Thereseammal, three novices Savariammal, Annammal from Cuddalore and
Therese Mary from Pondicherry. Ten years later Sr.Theresammal went back to the Carmel Convent and
passed away four years later.

On Wednesday 16th of October 1844, the Congregation of Immaculate Heart of Mary - Pondicherry was
opened with Holy Father Pope Gregory XVI’s blessing and His Grace Bonnand’s approval. To start with
the nuns lived in house paying a rent of thirty six rupees. The Congregation started functioning and Father
Dupuis wanted to put into practice through education, women’s liberation.

On 17th October 1844, a school for girls ‘Immaculate Heart of Mary’ was started. It came as a bolt out of
the blue to many. Father Dupuis wrote: ‘For several weeks no girls turned up, then two or three came,
following them many more joined, a few months later the enrolment was fairly good’. The school still
exists and is located opposite to the Archbishop’s House in Mission Street, Pondicherry. More than ten
thousand girls are being educated.
1.7 Father Dupuis’ missionary zeal in various foundations
His Grace Bonnand appointed Father Dupuis as Pro-vicar in 1850 and he remained so with three
consecutive Bishops. In 1852 he started the Society of Vincent de Paul.

In 1853 he was appointed as parish priest in Nellithope and later on in Oulgaret. He also created many
more convents for example: in Nellithope on 22nd November 1854, in Purathakudy on August 1857, in
 SERVANT OF GOD LOUIS SAVINIEN DUPUIS’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Michaelpatti on 2nd November 1859, in Kumbakonam on 31st May 1860, in Reddiyarpalayam on 21st
July 1861, in Ariyankuppam on 25th April 1863, in Tharangambady on January 1866, in Dharmapuri on
8th March 1869 and in Viragalur on 22nd April 1873.
1.8 Father Dupuis’ demise
Due to Indian climatic conditions Father Dupuis suffered from severe illness, His Grace Bonnand, Father
Dupuis wrote, ‘In the beginning of 1839, after several months of sufferings, a terrible sickness affected me
and I was standing at the threshold of death, I thought I was entering eternity’ Many such references are
found in his correspondences addressed to the nuns dated 06 March 1844, 03 December1849 and 18
November 1873. He suffered from migraine, giddiness and poor eye sight. He accepted physical sufferings
for his missionary endeavour. Father Dupuis’ health was going from bad to worse and his end was not far.
He accepted the deterioration and accepted reality. He was unable to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, he
mentions this in his letter dated 19 January 1874 ‘I’ve been unable to offer mass for many days’.

Mother Maria Natchathram, the first Superior General, in her long note to the nuns mentions about Father
Dupuis’ demise. ‘On 2nd June 1874, his physical condition became very serious. The Bishop tried his best
to save him. The Sacrament of the Sick was administered and Thursday 4th June 1874 the nuns from the
Mother House went to see their loving Father in Bishop’s House. He was unable to breath and in the
evening started gasping for breath. He breathed his last peacefully on 4th June 1874 at five PM, fulfilling
his Mission. He was sixty eight when he was called to God.

The news of Father Dupuis’ demise spread in Pondicherry, the laity thronged the Bishop’s House to pay
their last homage. Priests and nuns surrounding his coffin prayed for the repose of his soul. Higher ups
from the Education Department, Government of Pondicherry and Monsieur Faran, the then French
Governor were present at the burial ceremony on 5th June 1874. Father Dupuis had given forty two years
of selfless service to the people of Pondicherry.

Monsieur Faran, the then French Governor, pronounced in his obituary note: ‘I have high regard and
esteem for the Pondicherry Mission, we acknowledge the unique qualities of Reverend Father Louis
Savinien Dupuis, a man of great virtues, hard work, transparency and love. He zealously laboured for the
education and empowerment of Indian women. On behalf of the people of the French Colony, we express
our deep condolence. We have lost a great soul.

Poet Savarirayalu composed and sang a condolence hymn on Father Dupuis. On 5th June 1874 Father
Dupuis’ mortal remains were laid to rest in the cemetery of the Cathedral of Pondicherry.

In 1989 when the renovation work started in the cemetery of the Cathedral, with due permission from the
then Archbishop V.S. Selvanathar, the mortal remains of Father Dupuis were transferred (during the tenure
of Reverend Mother Emilia Mary) to Nirmala Novitiate, Pakkamudayanpet, Pondicherry .

On 18 August 2006 Father Dupuis’ bi-centennial birth (1806 – 2006) was celebrated in Pondicherry. In the
monument of the bi-centennial Father Dupuis’ bust was installed in the Immaculate Higher Secondary
School under the headship of His Grace Most. Rev. Dr. A. Anandarayar, Archbishop of Pondicherry and
Cuddalore.
 SERVANT OF GOD LOUIS SAVINIEN DUPUIS’S BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

Rev. Fr. Louis Savinien Dupuis was born in France at Sens on the 18th of August 1806 as a second
son to Mr. Edme Louis Dupuis and Mrs.Victorie Remy. Fr. Louis was given the early education in a Jesuit
School and the higher education at Sens under the Sebastenien Fathers.

His service mindedness and the readiness to sacrifice were glimpsed by many. The deep love he experienced for
the mankind motivated him to join the Seminary at Sens. Fr. Louis was ordained as a Priest by then Bishop
Most Rev. Dupan on 25th April 1829. In the year 1830, he was appointed as the Procurator of the Seminary at
Sens and the secretary to the archbishop of Sens. He was also a chaplain of a Sisters Convent. After having
worked for two years in the native land, he joined the Foreign Missionary Society of Paris (MEP) on the 25th of
May 1831. Realizing his sense of responsibility and mission zeal he was sent to Pondicherry where he was
assigned the charge of the Seminary and the mission press.

Fr. Louis reached Pondicherry on Mission to India on 9th April 1832. He was appointed as the Parish Priest of
St. Mary’s Basilica, Bangalore from 1832 to1840. During the eight years of his mission in Bangalore, Fr. Louis
authored a number of books all of which depicting the spiritual essence. Witnessing the deep spirituality and
ardent love for the humanity, the Bishop of Pondicherry Most Rev.Herbert appointed Fr. Louis as the Director
and Professor in the Petit Seminary, Pondicherry to guide the young aspiring priests.

In order to propagate the Catechism of the Catholic Church against the fictitious preaching Fr.Louis involved
himself in writing. The inbound wisdom and the gifted writing skills made Fr. Louis an excellent writer.
Though he was from the French origin Fr. Louis became proficient in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu during his
mission in India. During the period when Fr.Louis was the manager of the Mission Press (1840-1874).he wrote
a number of books and published them. He authored the Tamil to French to Tamil dictionary, published many
articles in various Magazines, wrote, translated and compiled a number of books on Catholic belief, especially
Chinnakurippidam which is still now used by all children for the preparation of the First Holy Communion. Fr.
Louis used the Print media as a tool to spread the Good News.

Fr.Louis started the Vincent De Paul Society in Pondicherry in 1851 and the Mother of Perpetual Help
Fraternity Society in the year 1868.

In 1844 the Priests of the Synod of Pondicherry strongly felt the need for women Education for Evangelization.
Having witnessed the miserable situation of Indian women during those days Fr. Louis contemplated on ways to
change the scenario. A Congregation of sisters was the brainchild of Fr. Louis. The Synod accepted the proposal
of Fr. Louis and resolved to start a Congregation of Indian sister for the education of indigenous women. During
the reign of Pope Gregory the 16th , Most Rev. Bishop Bonnan gave the permission to start a Congregation of
Sisters. When education was denied for women in India, Fr.Louis kept in forefront the movement for women
education and started the Immaculate Congregation on the 16th of October 1844. The first members of the
Congregation included Mother Theresa from the Cloistered Convent, a novice from the same convent and two
other candidates. The founder inculcated on the first members the love for the poor, simple living and the zeal
to educate the women as main objectives of the Congregation. His priority for women education becomes
prominent in the fact that the first formal school for the Education of girls the Immaculate school was started on
the very next day.

Fr. Dupuis himself took care of the new Congregation. With much thinking and meditation Fr. Dupuis drafted
the Constitutions of the Congregation and obtained its approval from His Holiness Pope IX in 1864. Later the
growth of the congregation could not be curbed by the adversary though tried hard. Fr. Dupuis established
schools at different places in and around Pondicherry. 30 years education and spiritual growth sisters

Rev.Fr. Dupuis was called to his eternal reward on the 4th June 1874.