Achille Desurmont (b. at Tourcoing, France, 23 December 1828; d. 23 July 1898) was a French Redemptoristascetical writer.
Life
He attended first the college of the Jesuits at Brugelette, Belgium, and afterwards (1848) the theological college of Cambrai. Drawn to the religious state, he was received into the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1850, made his profession the following year, and was ordained priest 24 September 1853.
He was appointed prefect of students and professor of theology, which offices he retained until 1865, when he became superior of the French province. Under his care subjects and foundations multiplied; the congregation spread into Spain for a second time, and he made foundations in Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia in South America.
He was forced to transfer his numerous religious from France to the Netherlands. On his return to France he soon organized missions and retreats as before. In 1887, he was given the work of Apostolic visitor to the Little Sisters of the Poor. At the age of seventy he was again nominated provincial. Although in poor health, he set to work, but the result was a complete break-down.
Works
He was the founder (1875) of the ascetical review, La Sainte Famille, and a constant contributor to it. His works are edited in three series:
Vie Chrétienne
L'Art d' assurer son Salut
Le Credo et la Providence
Le Monde et l'Evangile
La Vie vraiment chrétienne
Dévotions de l'âme chrétienne
Le Vén. Passarat et les Rédemptoristes
Vie Religieuse
Exercises Spirituels (Retraites)
Renouvellements spirituels (Retraites)
Conversion quotidienne et retour continuel à Dieu (Retraites)
Une Vertu pour chaque mois de l'année
La Vie vraiment religieuse
Manuel de méditations quotidiennes
Vie Sacerdotale
Dieu et la parole de Dieu
Discours et plans de retraites ecclésiastiques
L'esprit Apostolique
L'art de sauver les âmes
La charité sacerdotale (Paris, Libraire de la "Sainte Famille", 1907–8)
References
Attribution
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Achille Desurmont". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company. The entry cites: