Vincentian priest awarded French Legion of Honor
Fr. Emeric Amyot d’Inville from the Province of Madagascar became Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur – Knight of the Legion of Honor on January 1, 20122. He joins a group of “Legionaries” from the Vincentian Family reaching back to Ozanam and Rosalie Rendu.
✰ Father Eugène BORÉ CM – Superior General, distinguished orientalist. Received into Order in 1840s as an award for his activities in serving France in the Orient, especially in the Ottoman Empire. Read more
✰ Frederic OZANAM ✰ Paul LAMACHE ✰ François LALLIER – received in 1846 in the merit of commitment to the service of the poor and needy and establishing Conferences of St. Vincent de Paul. Read more
✰ Sister Rosalie RENDU DC – accepted the award in 1852. Initially she wanted to refuse promotion. Finally, she changed her minded after consoled by Superior General, Fr. Jean Baptiste Etienne. Read more
✰ Father Pedro OPEKA CM – promoted on October 12, 2007 in recognition of 20 years of work and ministry in Madagascar, mainly in creating the Akamasoa organization. Read more
✰ Sister Denise Marie BAUMAN – honorary Superioress General of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Strasbourg; for 48 years of professional activities and religious life. Awarded be decree of July 11, 2008. Read more
✰ Sister Maria Louise DUVIGNAU DC (Sister Teresita) for her work with the natives in Zamora and at the “Mission Flores”, province of Chimborazo in Ecuador. Decorated by the Ambassador of France in Ecuador on November 12, 2010. Read more
✰ Father Emeric AMYOT D’INVILLE CM – received in the Legion of Honor on January 1, 2012; the day of his 60th birthday) for his commitment as Director of Foyer de St. Vincent in Tanjomoha, Madagascar.
The Legion of Honor, in full the National Order of the Legion of Honor (Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur) was established by Napoleon Bonaparte, then First Consul of the Consulat which succeeded to the First Republic, on 19 May 1802. The order’s motto is Honneur et Patrie (“Honor and Homeland”).
The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order and appoints all other members of the Order on the advice of the Government. French nationals, men and women, can be received into the légion, for “eminent merit” in military or civil life. In practice, in current usage, the order is conferred, in addition to military recipients, to entrepreneurs, high-level civil servants, sport champions in as well as others with connections in the executive.
Technically, membership in the Légion is restricted to French nationals. Foreign nationals who have served France or the ideals it upholds may, however, receive a distinction of the Légion, which is nearly the same thing as membership in the Légion. Foreign nationals who live in France are submitted to the same requirements as Frenchmen. Foreign nationals who live abroad may be awarded a distinction of any rank or dignity in the Légion.
The Order is the highest decoration in France and is divided into five various degrees: Chevalier (Knight), Officier (Officer), Commandeur (Commander), Grand Officier (Grand Officer) and Grand Croix (Grand Cross).
Tags: CM, Congregation of the Mission, Frederic Ozanam, Opeka, Rosalie Rendu