Emile Neubert

– Brother John M. Samaha, S.M.

August 29, 2007, marked the fortieth anniversary of the death of Father Emile Neubert. The Marianist Family pays tribute to this extraordinary French Marianist, who was a friend of Frank Duff, founder of the Legion of Mary, and St. Maximilian Kolbe, founder of the Militia of Mary Immaculate, and who corresponded with them.

For over a quarter century Father Neubert served as rector of the Marianist International Seminary in Fribourg, Switzerland. His Marian scholarship and writing earned him membership in the International Marian Academy established in Rome. He also enjoyed the reputation of a valued spiritual director.

The year, 2007, also marked the one-hundredth anniversary of the completion and acceptance of his groundbreaking doctoral dissertation in patristic theology on Mary in the pre-Nicene Church. This was the first doctoral dissertation in theology centered on the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The most renowned and prolific Marianist writer on the subject of Marian doctrine and devotion, Emile Neubert was characterized by the late Father Peter Resch, one of his former students, as the "foremost doctor of Mariology among the sons of [Blessed] William Joseph Chaminade."

Father Thomas Stanley, another of his former seminary students, has translated his mentor’s autobiography into English. This publication was released in late 2007 by the North American Center for Marianist Studies, Dayton, Ohio. A worthy tribute for a remarkable Marianist.

In 2007 Father Jean-Louis Barré, a French Marianist, completed a doctoral dissertation at the Marianum in Rome on the mission of the Virgin Mary in the writings of Father Neubert, La mission de la Vierge Marie d'après les écrits d'Emile Neubert. Italian Marianist, Father Luigi Gambero was his guide and major professor. Hopefully this will appear in English in the near future.

NACMS has in stock the English editions of many books and pamphlets by Father Emile Neubert.

Dipping into the published works of Father Neubert is a way that members of the Marianist Family can offer their homage of respect and affection to this beloved apostle of Mary.