Désiré Félicien François Joseph MERCIERhe was born in Braine-l'Alleud on son of Paul Léon Hubert MERCIER and Marie Barbe CROQUETand died in Brussels on Ordained a priest on 04/04 1874 by Cardinal Giacomo Cattani. He was made a cardinal on 15/04/1907 by Pope Pius X. Primate of Belgium, and 16e Archbishop of Malines (1906-1926), he was a key figure in the early days of ecumenism (the Conversations from Mechelen with the Anglicans) as well as the national resistance to the German occupation of Belgium during the First World War.
A Catholic secondary school for boys was set up thanks to the dean of Braine-l'Alleud, Abbé Frédéric GLIBERTwho, by approaching Cardinal Mercier, obtained permission to set up a college in Braine-l'Alleud. On 22 September 1923, the Cardinal entrusted Abbé René VERBRUGGEN to found the Collège. On 7 May 1924, the College opened in a provisional building with four pupils, two boarders and two day pupils, grouped together in a preparatory year 7 (primary year 6). On 9 June 1924, Cardinal Mercier blessed the foundation stone of the Collège.
Birth certificate for Désiré Félicien François Joseph MERCIER
Sources :
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9sir%C3%A9-Joseph_Mercier
https://www.collegecardinalmercier.be/l-infrastructure/lhistoire-du-college/
https://www.lavenir.net/tag/fabuleux-destins-de-brabanons-wallons
Background biography :
Géniwal does not seek to retrace the complete biography of this character, which would duplicate the work of a multitude of other sites that are much more detailed and precise, and which anyone can easily consult. We limit ourselves here to giving a brief chronological and geographical overview.
