About The Men of the Sacred Hearts

Our Founder - Fr. Mateo

Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, SS.CC was born November 18, 1875 in Arequipa, Peru. As a sickly boy, he studied scripture instead of playing with the other children. In 1884, the family moved to Valparaiso, Chile. At 15 years old, he was admitted being a Novice in the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. Father was ordained December 17, 1898; at 23 years old, he was one of the youngest yet most spiritual Priests.

As a young boy, he had a special devotion to St. Margaret Mary who between 1673 and 1675, Jesus appeared to her and showing her His Heart.

The image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was used by Fr. Mateo when he began enthroning homes as a young boy in his hometown and continued when he was a priest. 



Now Father Mateo also was very concerned about the secular nature of the schools, and once assigned to Valparaiso where he began to build elementary schools from donations he received as a gifted speaker. He went on to create a high school, college and even a law school.

But, on August 16, 1906, a violent earthquake destroyed it all. Remember that in that time, we did not know how to build robust buildings that could withstand severe earthquakes.  Now recall that Father was a sickly child with compromised lungs. All the dust and contamination in the air made him extremely weak, and his Bishop decided that he needed to recuperate in France. 

Fr. Mateo had to be helped as he traveled to Paray-le-Monial where the convent of the Visitation Order was where St. Margaret Mary was a cloistered nun. When Fr. Mateo was brought to the altar where Jesus appeared to St. Margaret Mary, he was struck with a force like a shock and a blow. He was instantly healed and also received a message from the Holy Spirit to go visit Pope Pius X and advise him about his activities of Enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes. 

Fr. Mateo was led to get an audience with Pope Pius X. In June 1907. He was received by Pope Pius X and told Pope Pius X of his mission to enthrone homes. Pope Pius X said, “I’m not asking you, I’m commanding you as the Vicar of Rome that this is now your life’s work.”

 In 1964, when Fr. Francis Larkin, Fr. Mateo’s right hand man, was visiting in Chicago met he with John LoVasco from St. Clair Shores. He gave John the materials and blessing to begin the Detroit Chapter of the Men of the Sacred Hearts that still serves the needs of the faithful in S.E. Michigan today.