Liévin Bruneel

Liévin Bruneel, son of Petrus Bruneel, farmer, and Josephina Minne, entered the priesthood in Mechelen on 09.11.1821. He became curate in Westvleteren (29.06.1822) and in Ypres (19.11.1825). Next he started working as professor at the major seminary in Bruges on 01.10.1833. He became president of the major seminary and member of the diocesan council on 14.08.1838. He remained a professor and president until 16.06.1869.
Gezelle presumably wrote the poem "Mag ik opstaan en wat spreken" (May I Rise and Speak a Little) on the occasion of his silver jubilee as president. In the meantime he was appointed to several positions: honorary canon (04.10.1834), titular canon-theologian (09.09.1840), honorary vicar general of the Brugean diocese (29.12.1853), prosynodal examinator (14.08.1838), apostolic protonotary ad instar participantium (26.01.1866), and home prelate of the pope (08.08.1862) (08.08.1862). Mgr. Faict nominated him vicar-general and canon cantor (17.06.1869). He became chairman of the diocesan council for monastic affairs (16.06.1869). He held this position until 04.08.1880.