Felix-Joseph Barbelin

Felix Joseph Barbelin, (30 May 1808 – 9 June 1869) called the "Apostle of Philadelphia",was a 19th century Jesuit priest influential in the development of the Catholic community in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States.

Barbelin was born at Lunéville, (then in the Province of Meurthe, now Meurthe et Moselle), in the Alsatian region of France, the oldest of seven children born to Dominic and Elizabeth Louis Barbelin. His father was the Secretary to the Revenue Department of the district of Luneville. All but one of his siblings chose to enter religious life. His youngest brother, Ignace Xavier, also became a Jesuit. Barbelin received his early training at the home of a reverend grand uncle, and at the age of nineteen took up his philosophical and theological studies in a seminary in Nancy where another grand uncle was president. He received minor orders in 1829 and was then Prefect of Studies at the minor seminary at Pont à Mousson. For more than a quarter of a century he was pastor of St. Joseph's Church, Willing's Alley, which became, mainly during his term of office, the centre from which radiated Catholic influences throughout the city and diocese. He founded Saint Joseph's Hospital (closed 2015) in his adopted city, and was the first to establish sodalities for men and women and for the young. In 1852 he was appointed the first President of Saint Joseph's College, which is now known as Saint Joseph's University. Barbelin Hall at that university is named in his honor. Barbelin died in Philadelphia on June 8, 1869. Barbelin Hall at Old St. Joseph's was dedicated on March 18, 2005. It hosts the parishes "Faith, Food & Friends" outreach program, serving over 200 meals a week to the homeless and hungry poor. The hall has also been used to stage a production of Pope John Paul II's "The Jeweler’s Shop", put on by St. Joseph's eldership group.