DESSURMONT, Achille. — Redemptorist, b. at Tourcoing (Lille) on 23 Dec. 1828, d. at Thury-en-Valois on 23 July 1898. Ordained priest in 1853, he served as spiritual prefect of students and professor of pastoral theology; for twenty-two years he was superior of the French province, organizing the province in Spain and the missions in the Pacific; he was apostolic visitor to the Little Sisters of the Poor (1892–96).
A man of profound faith, he consecrated the remarkable riches of his mind and heart to his religious family during a difficult period. He promoted the study of St Thomas and St Alphonsus and contributed to the latter’s proclamation as a Doctor of the Church. He preached many retreats to priests and religious communities and wrote articles, pamphlets, and books, most of which were published after his death; the most important of these is his pastoral work: La charité sacerdotale (2 vols., Paris 1899). His writings (collected by Fr Riblier in 12 vols., ibid. 1906–13) bear the imprint of his strong personality.