CHRISTEN, BERNARD da Andermatt. – Minister General of the Capuchin Friars Minor, titular Archbishop of Stauropolis, b. at Andermatt (canton of Uri, Switzerland), 23 July 1837, d. 11 March 1909. Lecturer in philosophy and theology (1862), master of novices (1865), provincial of Switzerland (1879), custos of the Ticinese province (1883); Minister General for 24 years (1884–1908), to whom is owed the restoration of the Order, weakened by the suppressions and tribulations of the 19th century.
He established the curia in Via Boncompagni in Rome, founded the official organ *Analecta* (1884), promulgated the *Ordinationes generales* (1886), visited and organized the missions with a specific *Statutum* (1887–93), and reorganized the *Caeremoniale* (1892); during his visits to the provinces, he regulated their regular life, apostolic activity, and studies through special ordinances. A German biography of St. Francis by him (Innsbruck 1899) was successful, improved in the 2nd ed. (ibid. 1902), and appeared first in French translation (Paris 1901; Italian trans. Innsbruck-Rome 1902; Portuguese trans. Bahia 1908). The author aimed at edification, avoiding polemics, while critically discerning sources and contemporary literature. The 3rd German ed. (Innsbruck 1922) was revised by Ilarino Felder of Lucerne (4th ed., ibid. 1927). Pius XI rewarded his merits with the dignity of archbishop on 30 May 1908.