John Rittman was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, one of six children. Their father was a teacher and the mother an accomplished musician. His father died when John was only two years old, and his mother a few months later. The children were split up, and John was adopted by his aunt and uncle, the Heuels. The family moved to St. Elizabeth's parish in Milwaukee and John attended the Marquette High School. After graduation, he attended St. Francis's Seminary. The Bishop of Dallas, Texas, invited him to join his diocese, and sent John to study at the American College in Rome. Following his priesthood ordination, he became the bishop's personal secretary, assistant at the cathedral, and eventually chancellor of the diocese.
He was offered a bishopric, but declined, and upon the death of his adopted mother, he joined the Capuchin Friars. After novitiate, he was sent to Marathon, were he taught English and homiletics, and then served as preacher on the Mission Band. Gilbert is remembered most for his efforts in organizing and promoting the lay retreat movement. Retreats were held annually at St. Anthony's in Marathon from 1929 till 1935. Recognizing the need for more ample facilities and the necessity of offering retreats to both men and women, Friar Gilbert was responsible for the establishment of Monte Alverno Retreat Centre in Appleton, where he served as preacher and director until suffering a stroke, which left him incapacitated for the last five years of his life. He died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Milwaukee on January 15, 1953, aged 68, after 27 years of religious life and 40 of priesthood.
He was offered a bishopric, but declined, and upon the death of his adopted mother, he joined the Capuchin Friars. After novitiate, he was sent to Marathon, were he taught English and homiletics, and then served as preacher on the Mission Band. Gilbert is remembered most for his efforts in organizing and promoting the lay retreat movement. Retreats were held annually at St. Anthony's in Marathon from 1929 till 1935. Recognizing the need for more ample facilities and the necessity of offering retreats to both men and women, Friar Gilbert was responsible for the establishment of Monte Alverno Retreat Centre in Appleton, where he served as preacher and director until suffering a stroke, which left him incapacitated for the last five years of his life. He died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Milwaukee on January 15, 1953, aged 68, after 27 years of religious life and 40 of priesthood.
John Rittman was born in Burlington, Wisconsin, one of six children. Their father was a teacher and the mother an accomplished musician. His father died when John was only two years old, and his mother a few months later. The children were split up, and John was adopted by his aunt and uncle, the Heuels. The family moved to St. Elizabeth's parish in Milwaukee and John attended the Marquette High School. After graduation, he attended St. Francis's Seminary. The Bishop of Dallas, Texas, invited him to join his diocese, and sent John to study at the American College in Rome. Following his priesthood ordination, he became the bishop's personal secretary, assistant at the cathedral, and eventually chancellor of the diocese.
He was offered a bishopric, but declined, and upon the death of his adopted mother, he joined the Capuchin Friars. After novitiate, he was sent to Marathon, were he taught English and homiletics, and then served as preacher on the Mission Band. Gilbert is remembered most for his efforts in organizing and promoting the lay retreat movement. Retreats were held annually at St. Anthony's in Marathon from 1929 till 1935. Recognizing the need for more ample facilities and the necessity of offering retreats to both men and women, Friar Gilbert was responsible for the establishment of Monte Alverno Retreat Centre in Appleton, where he served as preacher and director until suffering a stroke, which left him incapacitated for the last five years of his life. He died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Milwaukee on January 15, 1953, aged 68, after 27 years of religious life and 40 of priesthood.
He was offered a bishopric, but declined, and upon the death of his adopted mother, he joined the Capuchin Friars. After novitiate, he was sent to Marathon, were he taught English and homiletics, and then served as preacher on the Mission Band. Gilbert is remembered most for his efforts in organizing and promoting the lay retreat movement. Retreats were held annually at St. Anthony's in Marathon from 1929 till 1935. Recognizing the need for more ample facilities and the necessity of offering retreats to both men and women, Friar Gilbert was responsible for the establishment of Monte Alverno Retreat Centre in Appleton, where he served as preacher and director until suffering a stroke, which left him incapacitated for the last five years of his life. He died at St. Anthony's Hospital in Milwaukee on January 15, 1953, aged 68, after 27 years of religious life and 40 of priesthood.
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