Victor pursued his ecclesiastical studies first at the seminary of Tournai and then in the Catholic University begun at Mechelen and afterwards transferred to Louvain.

Ordained priest 20 December 1834, he entered the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer in 1835, and made his vows 13 June 1836.

In 1849 he was nominated consultor general of his congregation, and took up his residence at Pagani near Naples just when Pope Pius IX was in exile at Gaeta.

This was not effected till 1855, when Pius IX invited Father Dechamps to the first general chapter held in Rome.

He took an active part in the formation of the Pontifical Zouaves, and persuaded General Lamoricière to offer his services to Pius IX.

Volume I is consecrated to the truths of faith; II to Our Lord Jesus Christ; V to the Blessed Virgin Mary; III and IV to the Church and St. Peter; VI to the pope and his infallibility; VII, VIII, and IX to the refutation of modern errors; X, XI, XII, XIII, and XIV to my preaching as bishop and to acts by which I governed my diocese."