In 1971, a Catholic chaplain in Ghent met a newly arrived international student who was overwhelmed by the challenges of adapting to life in a foreign country. Finding affordable accommodation was difficult, and navigating an unfamiliar language, culture, and education system made the transition even harder. Ghent was very different then from the diverse and multicultural city we know today.

That seemingly ordinary encounter would forever change the life and mission of Father Charles de Hemptinne.

Moved by the struggles faced by international students, Father Charles dedicated himself to helping them build a life in Belgium. He took time to understand the practical difficulties they encountered; from securing accommodation and finding part-time jobs to translating official documents between Dutch, English, and French. More importantly, he became a father figure to countless young people who had left their homes and families in search of education and opportunity.

His compassion extended far beyond his priestly duties. Driven by a profound love for people and an unwavering commitment to service, Father Charles and his family opened the doors of their own home to international students who had nowhere else to turn. What began as a simple act of hospitality soon grew into a lasting mission of care and solidarity.

This initiative eventually gave birth to OBSG vzw (Ontmoeting Buitenlandse Studenten Gent), an organization dedicated to supporting international students in Ghent. With the help of family, friends, and generous supporters, Father Charles gradually acquired additional houses along the same street, creating a student residence that eventually provided 34 rooms and 11 flats.

Over the years, OBSG has continued to grow. From its humble beginnings as a family home, it has developed into a modern residential community that today provides accommodation and social support to around 50 international students, thanks in part to valued partnerships with Ghent University and the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The mission continues to evolve, and on the very site where the original OBSG building stood, a new development is currently under construction, providing 52 single rooms and 12 apartments for couples and families to help address the growing housing needs of international students in Ghent.

But Father Charles' legacy extends beyond providing housing.

His vision of building a welcoming home for international students naturally grew into building a spiritual home as well. From this spirit of hospitality emerged what is now known as the International Roman Catholic Community of Ghent (IRCCG); a vibrant and diverse community where Catholics from many nations gather to worship, pray, and support one another.

What began as small English- and French-speaking Masses celebrated in the chapel at OBSG has grown into a thriving international parish family. Today, more than 100 people gather every Sunday for Mass, and the community has established a place of worship at the Christus Koning church at Rerum Novarumplein 25, 9000 Gent. At the heart of this flourishing community stands the vision and generosity of its founding father, Father Charles de Hemptinne.

Today, the chaplaincy continues under the dedicated leadership of Canon Dr. Bert Vanderhaegen, who serves both as Roman Catholic chaplain to international students and as hospital chaplain. In the true spirit of Father Charles, he continues the mission of welcoming and serving others. Beyond celebrating the sacraments, Canon Bert provides invaluable support to international students, regularly organizing community lunches, Gospel concerts, and other activities that foster friendship, faith, and belonging.

Every May, our community pauses to celebrate the life and legacy of Father Charles de Hemptinne, with a beautiful mass celebration followed but what we now call “The Light lunch reception”, prepared by the wonderful women of our community show casing an amazing and diverse culinary skill. We celebrate him not only because he founded an organization or established a community, but because he showed what the Gospel looks like when it is lived with generosity, compassion, and love. His legacy lives on in every student who finds a home, every friendship formed across cultures, and every person who walks through the doors of our international Catholic community knowing they are welcomed as family.