Roman Catholic Cardinal. Born in the center of Waterloo's plain inside the Chateau du Castegier to a family of French bourgeoisie origins, Désiré-Félicien-François-Joseph Mercier rose to become one of the most prominent Catholic figures of the early twentieth century. Tutored privately, Mercier entered seminary in Mechelen, pursuing later his studies at the University of Louvain from where he earned a licentiate in theology and a doctorate in philosophy. Ordained priest in Brussels in April 1874, he successively lectured philosophy at the minor seminary of Mechelen, where he also served as spiritual director, moving later to the University of Louvain, where he taught the same subject from 1882 until 1905, serving in the meantime as director of the superior institute of theology at the same institution. Founder of the "Revue Néoscolastique", he served as its editor until 1906, when he was appointed archbishop of the metropolitan see of Mechelen, becoming thus primate of Belgium. The following year, Pope Pius X created him cardinal priest with the title of San Pietro in Vincoli in the consistory of April 15. When the Great War led to the exile of the King of Belgium, Albert I, Mercier became the country's leader for patriotic resistance. His speeches and writings, especially his pastoral letters, became a worldwide point of reference of criticism towards German forces. Founder of the International Union of Social Studies, under his guidance the Social Code of Mechelen was published in 1920, while several ecumenical reunions with Anglican leaders where organized between 1920 and 1926. These became known as the "Mechelen Conversations". A longtime sufferer of dyspepsia, Mercier passed away shortly after slipping into a deep coma following surgery. He was laid to rest in Mechelen's cathedral of St. Rumbold after receiving the honor of a national funeral. To this day he remains lauded as one of Belgium's greatest patriots. His figure across the years has been commemorated across the country with the naming of streets, squares, prizes, erection of monuments and issue of stamps.