“The signs of the times will teach you what to do.”

Adolph was born on December 8, 1813, in Kerpen, Germany as the 4th of 5 children to a poor shepherd, Peter Kolping, and his wife Anna Maria. He often lived in the shadow of frail health during his childhood. He proved to be an able student during his short time in school, but his poverty prevented further education despite his commitment.

At the age of 18, he travelled to Cologne as a shoemaker’s assistant and soon became shocked with the living conditions of the working class. He remained a shoemaker for the next 10 years but always had a desire for higher education and decided to attend theological education in Munich, Bonn, and Cologne.

He was ordained a priest in 1845 and first served as chaplain and religious teacher in Elberfeld. He assisted a number of journeymen carpenters who had founded a choral society. It grew rapidly into a Young Workmen’s Society with the object of fostering the religious life of the members. Adolph became the Praeses (President) of what became the Gesellenverein, a German Catholic society for the religious, moral, and professional improvement of young men, that provided its members with both religious and social support. It is more commonly known as the Kolping Society. He had intended to lead an academic life, but this organization made him realize God called him to devote his life and efforts to them.

4 years later, at the age of 36, he returned to Cologne as the Cathedral’s vicar, and established a branch of the Gesellenverein there. Initially his objective was to provide a home away from home for young apprentices and journeymen while they learned their trade but later emphasized the sanctification of family life and the dignity of labor. After having witnessed their conditions, Father Kolping worked hard to improve the means of the workers and greatly assist those in need.

Adolph was energetic and undaunted, and eloquent both as a speaker and writer, which he used while he visited the great industrial centers of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. There he united existing associations as the “Rheinischer Gesellenbund”. He also founded a newspaper which became one of the most successful press organs of his time.

The Pope titled him as Monsignor in 1862, and by 1865, over 400 local groups of the journeymen’s organization had been established and functioning throughout Europe and America. The 1st American branch of the Kolphing Society began in Saint Louis, Missouri, in 1856.

He suffered with lung cancer and died on December 4, 1865 due to it’s complications.

He is remembered as the “Father of All Apprentices” as there are now branches in over 30 countries.

Pope John Paul II visited his tomb saying, “We need models like Adolph Kolping in today’s Church.”

“The human life cannot exist without joy, without fun, least of all during youth. Thus joy and fun deserve an essential place in community life.”

For God’s Glory.

http://www.kolping.org/