Born Joseph de Groeve in Bruges, Belgium on July 26, 1885, he was the son of Joseph and Mathilde de Groeve. He entered the Vincentians and was ordained a priest of July 17, 1910. He was sent to China where he was in charge of the Petite Seminaire. While there he read the biography of St. Gemma Galgani. So impressed was he that he left China and entered the Passionist novitiate in Paris, France and professed his vows on January 1, 1921. Thereafter he was appointed as master of novices of the French province. In 1928 he went to China once again and remained there until he was expelled in 1951. He went back to France for a short time and then was assigned to St. Mary’s Monastery, Dunkirk, New York on September 3, 1952. He did volunteer to go to Jamaica, West Indies and the Philippines, but age prevented him from being chosen. He was chaplain at St. Vincent Home for the Aged, Dunkirk.
Birth Date:
July 26, 1885
Profession Date:
January 1, 1921
Ordination Date:
January 1, 1970
Death Date:
April 11, 1959
Religious Name:
Antoine of St. Vincent de Paul DeGrouve