Father Isaac Hecker, founder of the Paulist Fathers, was born in 1819 on what is now the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Raised by a devout Methodist mother in a politically active immigrant household, Hecker’s spiritual restlessness ultimately led him far beyond politics. In 1844, he converted to Catholicism. That decision changed not only his life but also impacted the Church in America.

“Isaac Hecker had a lot to say about the relevance of the Catholic Church as a solution to America’s problems,” said Father Ronald Franco, CSP, who currently serves as the superior of the Paulist motherhouse in Manhattan and as postulator for Hecker’s canonization cause. “He was convinced… that what the Catholic Church had to offer him, it had to offer people like him.”

Hecker founded the Missionary Society of Saint Paul the Apostle, commonly known as the Paulist Fathers, in 1858. His goal was to bring the gospel to the American people in a way that resonated with their culture and conscience. “He wanted to train his Paulists to be able to go anywhere and do whatever was needed to spread the good news, to evangelize the country,” Father Franco explained. “But whereas Ignatius (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Founder of the Jesuits) wrote very detailed spiritual exercises, Hecker relied more on each individual’s experience of the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.”

Today, the cause for Hecker’s canonization is in the diocesan phase under the direction of Cardinal Timothy Dolan. A six-member historical commission is reviewing Hecker’s extensive writings. “We have a historical commission at work,” said Father Franco. “Their job is to study all his writings and make a report. And based on that, then the cause can move forward.”

For that to happen, the Church also needs a verified miracle. “Somebody needs to have a miracle,” Father Franco said. “People need to hear about him, to know about him, and to pray for his intercession. And, hopefully, then a miracle will be done.”

Hecker’s New York roots remain central to his story. His tomb lies within the Church of St. Paul the Apostle on the Upper West Side. “His tomb is here. People can pray at his tomb,” Father Franco noted. “And if that works and that miracle is done, then we may move along to the point where he will be beatified.” Beatification is the last stop before being declared a saint.

Hecker’s vision was bold. He believed the Catholic faith could take root in the American soul. “He was a saint of evangelization,” Father Franco said. “That was his goal, to make America Catholic. And there was no one like him.”

The Paulist Fathers have created a webpage where you can learn more about Father Isaac Hecker.

You can visit Father Hecker’s tomb in New York City at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle on Columbus Avenue at West 60th Street.

You can find more stories in our Saints of New York series here.