He was one of ten children and labored in the fields until October 1820, when he entered the Haffreingue-Chanclaire College in Boulogne, France, under the instruction of Reverend Benoit Haffreingue.

Rappe was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Arras in France by then Bishop Hugues de la Tour 'Auvergne-Lauragais on March 14, 1829.

Although concerned about Rappe's inability to speak English, Purcell recruited him to be incardinated, or transferred into the Diocese of Cincinnati in Ohio.

[4] However, the unofficial parish limits extended from Toledo west to the Indiana border and as far south as Allen County, Ohio.

Rappe ministered to the Catholic laborers on the Miami and Erie Canal and the settlers along the Maumee River, both in Ohio.

[5] Concerned about the high degree of alcohol dependency among the laborers and its effects on families, Rappe frequently preached to them about the benefits of temperance.

[1] Two days after his consecration, Rappe published his first pastoral letter, in which he expressed his desire "to be regarded as your friend and father, rather than your superior.

[9] With his eyesight failing, Rappe submitted his resignation as bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland after returning from First Vatican Council in 1870.