Father William Joseph Chaminade founded the Society of Mary in 1817, in the aftermath of the French Revolution. Born in 1761, as a young priest he barely survived the Revolution’s carnage and terror. When the revolutionary government demanded every priest in the country swear allegiance to the new government or …

April 13, 2011 By Mary Caffrey Knapke DAYTON DEANERY — “Blessed William Joseph Chaminade faced many challenges in his life, and he faced all of them with great courage. He found the source of his courage and strength in the Blessed Virgin Mary,” Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr said April 8 …