27 Facts About Benjamin Petit

Benjamin Marie Petit was a Catholic missionary to the Potawatomi at Twin Lakes, Indiana, where he served from November 1837 to September 1838.

Benjamin Petit traveled to New York with a group led by Bishop Simon Brute, the first bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Vincennes.

Benjamin Petit was sent to Vincennes, Indiana, where Bishop Brute ordained him as a Roman Catholic priest on October 14,1837.

Father Benjamin Petit was known for his compassion toward his Potawatomi parishioners.

Benjamin Petit joined them on their forced march to new reservation lands along the Osage River, at the present-day site of Osawatomie, Kansas, in 1838.

Benjamin Petit's remains are buried under the Log Chapel at the University of Notre Dame.

Benjamin Petit graduated from the University of Rennes in 1829, and from its law school in 1832.

In 1835, Benjamin Petit was recruited by Bishop Brute of Vincennes, Indiana to come to America.

Benjamin Petit sailed for New York City in June 1836 as part of a group traveling with Bishop Brute, and arrived on July 21,1836.

Benjamin Petit was sent to Vincennes, where he received his minor orders on December 16,1836, and was made a deacon of the Catholic Church on September 23,1837.

Father Benjamin Petit arrived at the mission on November 3,1837.

Benjamin Petit mastered all three languages he needed to use: his native French, the English spoken by the Americans and the language of the Potawatomi.

Benjamin Petit said Mass, taught catechism, and blessed the graves of the dead.

Father Benjamin Petit was known for his compassion and enthusiasm toward his Potawatomi parishioners.

Benjamin Petit sincerely lamented the Potawatomi's removal from Indiana and the closure of the Catholic mission at Twin Lakes.

Father Benjamin Petit was willing to join his Potawatomi parishioners on their journey, "at least until I can place them in the hands of another pastor," but Bishop Brute initially declined his permission.

Father Benjamin Petit caught up with the caravan at Danville, Illinois, on September 16,1838, and accompanied the Potawatomi on the remainder of their journey.

Benjamin Petit ministered to the sick and assisted the attending physicians as an interpreter.

Father Benjamin Petit became severely ill with high fever, and suffered from exhaustion and weakness, as did many of the Potawatomi.

Benjamin Petit later reported that the conditions began to improve when the caravan arrived in Missouri, especially after the Potawatomi were allowed to hunt for wild game to supplement their diet.

Father Benjamin Petit, who was severely weakened from the journey, continued to suffer from a serious illness, including fever and exhaustion, and stayed in the area for six weeks to recuperate.

On December 23,1838, Father Benjamin Petit received a letter from Bishop Brute that recalled him to Vincennes.

Still too weak to ride a horse, Father Benjamin Petit traveled east in an open wagon in the rain and over bad roads to reach the Jesuit seminary on January 15,1839.

Benjamin Petit arrived exhausted from his strenuous journey and weakened by successive attacks of fever, with many running sores on his body.

Benjamin Petit died at the Jesuit seminary at 9th and Washington Streets in St Louis on February 10,1839, at the age of 27 years, 10 months.

Father Benjamin Petit was initially buried in the old cemetery at 7th Street and St Charles Avenue in St Louis.

Father Benjamin Petit's remains rest in a place of honor under the Log Chapel at the University of Notre Dame.