St. John Vianney's American Connection

Matthias Loras was one of John Vianney’s schoolmates in France and used to help him with his Latin. After ordination, Father Loras was sent to the missions in the United States.

In 1837 Father Loras was consecrated first bishop of Dubuque. The territory of the new diocese at that time stretched from the Missouri border to Canada and from the Mississippi to the Missouri Rivers and was served by a single Dominican missionary!

Bishop Loras first went home to France to recruit priests and financial aid. By the time he died, about 20 years later, his diocese had 48 priests.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque now comprises 30 counties in northeast Iowa. The successors of St. John Vianney’s friend and schoolmate are still looking for more good men to serve the people of God with joy.