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The Founder

Adolph Kolping was born on December 8, 1813 in Kerpen, a small village not far from Cologne. His father, Peter Kolping was a shepherd for a well-to-do farmer. In school, Adolph kolping proved an able student, but because the family was poor, he was unable to further his education. He took up an apprentice as a shoemaker at age 13, but his desire for higher education never ceased. After working for ten years as a shoemaker, he entered secondary school. Adolph had been a sickly child and continued to suffer from poor health. Yet despite this fact, he managed to complete his education in record time.

It was Adolph Kolping’s wish to become a priest. During his secondary years, he was able to be his role in life. In the summer of 1841, he began his studies in Theology at the University of Bonn. As his father died the night before his ordination, the joyous day that was to be shared by father and son was instead of sadness. On April 13, 1845, Adolph Kolping was ordained in the Minorite Church in Cologne.

His devotion to his calling and his determination to further his work caused him to neglect his health, a factor which may have contributed to his early death, at the age of 51 on December 4, 1865. Father Adolp Kolping was laid to rest in Minorite Church, a church he had saved from demolition.

In recognition for Father Kolping, his ideals and goals and his own example, John Paul II beatified Father Kolping on October 27, 1991 in Rome. Pope Paul said: “WE NEED MODELS LIKE ADOLPH KOLPING IN TODAY’S CHURCH.”