Augustin Hacquard place of birth Albestroff
Early years (1860–84)
Augustin Prosper Hacquard was born on 18 September 1860 in Albestroff, Moselle, France.
He attended primary school, then in 1873 entered the minor seminary of Pont-à-Mousson, and in 1877 went on to the major seminary of Nancy.
On 27 June 1878 he decided to seek admission to the White Fathers novitiate at Maison-Carrée in Algiers.
His parents would not give their permission, but he left anyway and embarked from Marseille for Algiers on 1 September 1878.
At the Maison-Carrée the program included prayer, spiritual formation and the Arabic language.
In September 1881 Hacquard was appointed a teacher at the Collège de Carthage and taught there for two years before resuming his theological studies in 1883.Hacquard was strongly built, bearded, lively and very brave.
He learned to speak Arabic fluently.
birthplace place of origin native place homeland birth city