JEAN-BAPTISTE BERTHIE. — Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, founder of the Missionaries of the Holy Family (v.), born at Châtonnay (Isère) on 24 February 1840, died at Grave (North Brabant) on 16 October 1908. He promoted apostolic schools for poor aspirants and fostered late vocations; he was a preacher and for a long time superior of the Institute. He wrote extensively, for every kind of reader; many of his books enjoyed great and merited success. In 1904 he founded the Messager de la Sainte Famille, published in several languages.
BIBL.: J. M. De Lombaerde, La Vie et l'Esprit du très rév. p. B., Grave 1910; P.-J. Ramers, Le p. J.-B. B., mis., de la Salette, Fribourg 1925; id., s.V. in DSP, I, cols. 1530-32. Mario Colpo