Louis Perboyre had always followed his older brother's example in intelligence, study and piety. He expressed his desire to be a priest. His parents decided to send him to Montauban, where his uncle, Rev. Jacques Perboyre, C.M., was conducting his own seminary. Since Louis was only 13 and quite sickly, the parents sent John Gabriel, then 15, with him. John could look after Louis' health for a few months and help him in his studies, for it was winter and there was little farm work. John, too, could take a few higher classes of his own such as grammar and mathematics.At the seminary, Fr. Jacques Perboyre, C.M., at that time was 54 years old, a very wise and holy priest. As a young priest, he had wanted to go to China, but the French Rev-olution broke out and he had to spend years hiding in
caves and ditches to avoid being captured and killed. This had ruined his health. But he ran this seminary at the invitation of the Bishop and he instilled into his nephews his same love of the Vincentians and of the China missions.
John Gabriel's first letter was written to his parents at this time. It was very short and loving. Like many students away from home, he asks for money to buy clothes From this time on until his death, John was an excellent and faithful letter writer. Most of his letters to his family and friends were kept by them, because he was always considered a special saint. These letters are preserved today in the Archives of the Congregation of the Mission in France.
After a few months, John's father went to Monauban to visit his sons and Fr. Jacques, his brother, and to bring John back home to the farm for the spring work. Fr. Jac-ques persuaded him that John, as well as Louis, had a vocation to the priesthood. The kind father left the de-cision to John Gabriel, who asked to have a few days to pray and think about it. The father returned home alone and a few days later, John wrote his second letter home. He wrote that he thought it was God's will that he be-come a priest, if his parents would give their permission In this case, he wrote, he would need some more money for clothes and a seminarian's cassock. Naturally, the parent were saddened to see their oldest and second sons both gone from home for good, but they cheerfully made the sacrifice.
John began to study Latin. Since he was so very intelligent and studious, he was able to help his brother Louis and several cousins. Soon he was having daily classes for his classmates and younger students. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary were noticed by all, especi ally his love for the rosary. Again he was known to the professors and students as "the young saint". He did not care for sports. The other students liked him and playa tricks on him, which he took in good nature and laughed a much as they did. After his death, the professors and fellow students all gave testimony of his holiness and no one could find a single fault in him.
caves and ditches to avoid being captured and killed. This had ruined his health. But he ran this seminary at the invitation of the Bishop and he instilled into his nephews his same love of the Vincentians and of the China missions.
John Gabriel's first letter was written to his parents at this time. It was very short and loving. Like many students away from home, he asks for money to buy clothes From this time on until his death, John was an excellent and faithful letter writer. Most of his letters to his family and friends were kept by them, because he was always considered a special saint. These letters are preserved today in the Archives of the Congregation of the Mission in France.
After a few months, John's father went to Monauban to visit his sons and Fr. Jacques, his brother, and to bring John back home to the farm for the spring work. Fr. Jac-ques persuaded him that John, as well as Louis, had a vocation to the priesthood. The kind father left the de-cision to John Gabriel, who asked to have a few days to pray and think about it. The father returned home alone and a few days later, John wrote his second letter home. He wrote that he thought it was God's will that he be-come a priest, if his parents would give their permission In this case, he wrote, he would need some more money for clothes and a seminarian's cassock. Naturally, the parent were saddened to see their oldest and second sons both gone from home for good, but they cheerfully made the sacrifice.
John began to study Latin. Since he was so very intelligent and studious, he was able to help his brother Louis and several cousins. Soon he was having daily classes for his classmates and younger students. His devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and to Mary were noticed by all, especi ally his love for the rosary. Again he was known to the professors and students as "the young saint". He did not care for sports. The other students liked him and playa tricks on him, which he took in good nature and laughed a much as they did. After his death, the professors and fellow students all gave testimony of his holiness and no one could find a single fault in him.
