Father Vincent Marchildon
Saintly Apostle of Good Saint Anne

Few priests in the Fall River area have touched as many lives as Father Vincent Marchildon has by his kindness, his priestly zeal, his holiness.

Father Marchildon was a member of the Dominican community at Saint Anne in Fall River. Here he spent most of his long priestly life between 1905 and 1965, welcoming pilgrims, blessing them, inviting them to pray with confidence to "Good Saint Anne," the grandmother of Jesus and the mother of the Virgin Mary.

In 1928, Father Pierre Granger, the pastor, seeing the success of his ministry at the Shrine, relieved him of many parish duties so that he might devote most of his time at the Shrine, promoting devotion to Saint Anne, introducing novenas to the grandmother of Jesus, and organizing pilgrimages to our patron saint. Eventually, multitudes of pilgrimages came to the Fall River shrine from parishes of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and beyond. Saint Anne thus became increasingly an important center of devotion to Saint Anne in our area. Father's kindness, his zeal and holiness soon attracted multitudes of devout Catholics to St. Anne Shrine and inspired them with a great love of God and a deep devotion to Good Saint Anne. To understand his virtues and influence, let me begin with his life story.

Early Years

Father Marchildon was born May 21, 1876, at Batiscan, a rural village some 20 miles north of Three Rivers, in the province of Quebec. He was the son of Thomas Marchildon, farmer, and Adele Fugere. He was baptized under the name of Louis de Gonzague. He was the third of six children born of this couple and the only one to survive to an adult age. Tragedy upon tragedy struck this unhappy family. Four of the children died at an early age, something not uncommon in those days when prenatal care was nonexistent and children's diseases were often fatal. Then, a boy of eight died in an accident while skating on the Batiscan River.

The year 1882 was especially tragic for the Marchildon family. Within two weeks, the father and two babies perished in an epidemic of smallpox. Louis became fatherless before he was six years old. We can imagine the grief of the poor widow. Louis Marchildon got to experience the "cross" from childhood. The fact is important to understand the strength of character he developed. He was trained in the hard school of suffering.

Louis Marchildon learned at an early age from his parents the Christian virtue of faith, self-denial, and surrender to divine Providence, fortitude to face adversity, and generosity to fellow men. Mrs. Marchildon took in her niece Angeline, when she was orphaned at an early age, and brought her up as a loving mother.

Mr. and Mrs. Marchildon were people of simple but deep faith, able to face trials and hard work. Adele was truly an extraordinary woman. Death stole from her in a few years six children and a husband. She then entered into a second marriage with a fine gentleman Aime Leblanc, for whom Father Marchildon had the highest regard and affection. Adele was a most generous and giving woman. She not only devoted herself to her own family. When her daughter Maria died, Adele took into her care the seven children she left behind. She never recoiled from responsibilities and toil. Father Marchildon learned at home the virtues of hard work, sacrifice, and self-giving.

It should be pointed out that the Marchildon family was never rich. It even experienced poverty. Undoubtedly this personal experience of poverty later inspired in Father Marchildon his great compassion for the poor and his indefatigable zeal to help them.

Stirrings of a Vocation: Louis enters the junior seminary of Nicolet

From an early age Louis Marchildon heard the voice of God calling him to become a priest. He wanted so badly to go to the seminary! But his parents could not afford to pay for his education. The young man often wept sadly. His grandmother seeing this told him one day: "Don't cry. We're going to try to send you to college." She began weaving carpets and selling them to provide a little extra money to send Louis to the seminary. Many neighbors pitched in. The pastor spoke to the owner of the "Price Mill" at Batiscan and solicited help. Finally, things worked out. Family and friends managed to pay $50.00 a year, the cost of going to college at the time.

Louis Marchildon entered the Minor Seminary of Nicolet in September 1890. The 8th of March, 1972, I had the good fortune of visiting Msgr. Stephen Grenier, a classmate of Father Marchildon at the seminary of Nicolet, and of obtaining first hand memories about that early period. Msgr. Grenier was then in retirement at the Little Sisters of the Poor, at Smithfield, near Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Aged ninety-one himself, he still had a perfectly lucid mind and an excellent memory. He shared with me his recollections about Father Marchildon, "Ti-Louis," as he called him.

He was mostly impressed by Louis' studiousness, his eagerness to learn. While other students engaged in sports like hockey and basketball, Louis Marchildon was engrossed in conversations and discussions with his classmates on almost every subject: history, literature, geography, etc. He even took the fancy to study the English language so as to be able to speak it. Little did he foresee how useful that would prove to be in his future ministry at St. Anne's in Fall River. This desire to learn to speak English is surprising when we realize that the French Canadians not only did not speak the language, but even had an aversion to everything English, including the language. The curiosity of Louis Marchildon was not deterred by this nationalistic prejudice. With an English grammar and a dictionary, Louis decided he would learn to speak English. He did his best on his own, in a totally French environment. In all he did he acted with great determination.

Louis Marchildon's curiosity and fascination for learning in no way made him an ivory tower intellectual. On the contrary, he loved people, and at recreation he was the center of interest and conversations. His outstanding memory enabled him to entertain people on a great variety of historical and current events. I remember Msgr. Grenier saying that socially he was a "good mixer," and even "the life of the party." In his own words, "un boute-en-train." He always had a smile. Everybody loved him. Human qualities that would later endear him to people he would encounter in his ministry and open many hearts to his spiritual influence.

On the way to the priesthood in the Dominican Order

Louis Marchildon's long-cherished dream of becoming a priest began to materialize when he was received as a novice in the Dominican Order at Saint Hyacinthe, on the 13th of August, 1898. One year later, he took his first vows and was professed for three years, then made his final commitment "until death" on the 13th of August, 1902. Meantime, he went through the normal course of studies seminarians take in preparation for the priesthood. In his last year of theology, he was ordained a priest the 1st of February, 1903, by Bishop Duhamel, in the Cathedral church of Ottawa. The aspirations of many years were finally fulfilled.

A long life in the priestly ministry

Father Marchildon received only four assignments in 65 years. First, to the Dominican House of Studies at Ottawa (March 16, 1905); then to Fall River (October 20, 1905); to Ottawa again (August 1913); finally his last assignment to Fall River (April 23, 1917).

Fall River

Father Marchildon arrived at Saint Anne's the 27th of October 1905. He will remain associated with Saint Anne for the rest of his life, except for a few years, when he will be on the road preaching in the Province of Ontario. It is said that at that time the Provincial, recognizing his gifts for preaching, decided to make the most of these talents. He preached in the cities, in the country, he often preached to lumberjacks. That is why he was so popular as a preacher. He spoke to the people he knew and loved and understood. He was one of them.

Father Marchildon's preaching assignment in Ontario was only a brief parentheses in his life: from August, 1913 until April, 1917. Then he received his last and final assignment to Fall River.

During the early years, Father Marchildon served on the parish staff as curate and "assistant pastor." The "assistant pastor" was one of the curates appointed by the pastor to be like his right arm and assume greater responsibilities in running the affairs of the parish. He was a sort of secretary, bursar, and involved in many details of parish administration. When the pastor was absent, his "assistant" took charge, preparing, for example, the Sunday announcements to be read from the pulpit before parish bulletins came into being.

As a curate, Father Marchildon was busy with many other duties besides saying Mass, preaching, and administering the sacraments. Grievously ill parishioners were visited and received the so-called "last sacraments" at home, and the priest made sick calls as needed day or night.

Father was also chaplain to many religious sodalities, gave monthly spiritual conferences to Religious Sisters, etc. It was surely no sinecure.

The day came when a special ministry developed at the Shrine to welcome visitors and pilgrims who came to pray to Good Saint Anne from all around. At first, no priest in particular was in charge of pilgrimages or devotions to Saint Anne. When a pilgrimage was announced, it could be the pastor who welcomed the pilgrims, gave a sermon, led the people in a prayer service, and offered the relic of Saint Anne for their veneration. For a few years, Father Marchildon was just one of several Fathers who took turns to greet pilgrims of Saint Anne and minister to their spiritual needs. Father Marchildon soon became more and more involved in this ministry. He was so successful at it that in 1924, Father Pierre Granger, then pastor of Saint Anne, freed him of many parish duties he had until then performed, so that he might devote more time to what had become "the Shrine Ministry." He was soon recognized as the "Director of the Shrine." He promoted pilgrimages and other forms of devotion to Saint Anne. For example, in 1928, he introduced perpetual novenas to Saint Anne on Tuesdays.

On Sunday, January 6, 1929, the Pastor announced that henceforth Father Marchildon will concern himself only with pilgrimages. The reason: "Father's health has left much to be desired in the past two years. His strength no longer permits him to carry the heavy burdens of parish bookkeeping and pilgrimages." He thanks Father for the admirable work he has done at the parish as curate and "procureur" (bursar, provider). Henceforth, Father Marchildon will devote himself full-time to the promotion and development of pilgrimages , novenas, and the care of pilgrims.

During his administration, the Shrine gift shop where religious articles are made available, was expanded. Pilgrimages multiplied and flourished during the summer months, especially for the Feast of Saint Anne, July 26. The feast of Saint Anne often attracted as many as twelve or more busses from different parts of New England. For many years, I remember Father Marchildon having a huge tent set up in the park facing the Shrine, with tables where pilgrims could sit and have lunch during the day. This shows the practical side of Father Marchildon. There was plenty of work involved, but on such occasions, Father Marchildon found helpers and worked long hours.

In 1928, Father Langlais, Dominican Provincial, accepted the charge of a mission in Japan. A heavy burden for a still young Province. Father Marchildon took to heart this missionary responsibility entrusted to our Province by the Holy See. He had the people pray for our missionaries and solicited financial support from the faithful who frequented the Shrine. When he expanded the heretofore miniscule area we had at the Shrine to store religious articles for sale, he reserved the profits from this modest religious store to help support our mission in Japan.

To enhance the devotional activities of the Shrine, Father Marchildon, who had no singing voice personally, gathered a choir that sang for many years at the novena services. He had an organist as well as singers. He definitely was one to organize and get things done.

A Turning Point

The 30th of June 1955, Father Marchildon was on his way to Quebec City with a friend to represent his convent at the provincial chapter when, at the approach of Quebec City, he was seriously injured in a car accident. He recovered partly from the shock, but ever since, he suffered from amnesia. He had to be replaced as Director of the Shrine. Father Raymond Bedard succeeded him. Father Marchildon continued to greet and comfort his "pilgrims" until the progress of amnesia and other infirmities of old age obliged his superiors to place him in a retirement home for priests, the "Saint Charles Borromeo Home" in Montreal, where he could receive the care he needed. That is where he spent his last years, from November 4, 1964 to January 15, 1972. During those last years, the Dominican Fathers of Montreal, very especially Father Mannes Leduc, Assistant Provincial, kept in touch with their venerable confrere, visiting him assiduously. Likewise, several nieces and nephews visited him and showered him with their love.

Over the years, Father Marchildon was generally a strong and healthy man and a hard worker. But now, after his accident, he was but a shadow of himself. Several times at the Saint Charles Borromeo Home he suffered attacks of broncho-pneumonia. Finally, after a last attack, he died peacefully after receiving the holy anointing of the sick at 2:45pm on January 15, 1972.

On Sunday, January 16 at 3:00pm, a farewell Mass was celebrated at the Church of Notre Dame de Grace. Mrs. Marenger had notified the family and some 70 persons attended. A beautiful homily was given by Father Georges Perreault. The mortal remains of the deceased were then flown to Fall River the same day and taken to Saint Anne Church for a solemn funeral and burial.

Years in advance, needed permissions had been obtained to bury Father Marchildon in the crypt of the church with Fathers Sauval and Terrien. He had spent nearly sixty years at Saint Anne. It seemed fitting that he should be buried here, for the consolation of his pilgrims and friends. Hundreds of his parishioners and friends attended the wake and the funeral. Many touched him with the hand or a rosary, in the pious belief that they were touching a saint.

Father Pierre Lachance, Director of the Shrine, celebrated the funeral Mass, surrounded by 14 concelebrants, while Bishop James Gerrard presided at the throne. Father Provincial had to be in Montreal the same day, celebrating the funeral of another Dominican priest, Father Marcil, and was represented here by Father Mannes Leduc. Many priests, brothers and sisters, were present in the sanctuary. Among them were the employees of Saint Anne Shrine, men of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, men of the Holy Name Society, and others. Worthy of mention were the pallbearers: Albert Vezina, Sr. and Bernard Paquette, both parish trustees; Roland Guay, Alfred Bellefeuille, and Leon Gauthier, officers of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society; Bernard Theroux, parish secretary, and Normand Patenaude, church maintenance man. Father Pierre Lachance delivered the homily in which he described the religious and spiritual qualities that defined the personality of Father Marchildon.

After the funeral, Father Marchildon's body was transferred to Saint Joseph's Chapel, which is a mortuary chapel in the crypt of the church. A multitude of people filed by his bier all day, a moving testimony to the people's love and veneration for a friend, a benefactor, a man of God. In the evening, the coffin was taken to the burial vault, which was then sealed.

On Sunday, February 18, 1973, Father Thomas M. Landry, pastor of Saint Anne, solemnly dedicated a bronze plaque in memory of Father Marchildon. This plaque was later placed on the wall of the memorial chapel and bears the inscription: "As Assistant Pastor of Saint Anne Parish (1905-1928) and Apostle of Saint Anne's Shrine (1917-1965) he won by his priestly virtues and indefatigable zeal the hearts of all who approached him. He was at all times the faithful servant of Good Saint Anne and a Father to the sick, the infirm, the poor, and the afflicted. Saint Anne Parish vows to him an everlasting gratitude for his dedication and the innumerable blessings that resulted."

Events that marked the life of Father Marchildon

1. He was naturalized as an American citizen September 18, 1918.

2. He was appointed Notary Public for the State of Massachusetts February 6, 1918. Why? To be better able to help the poor free of charge. A document dated January 29, 1953, renews his faculties as Notary Public for seven years. Father used every means available to help the poor. We still have Father's signet as Notary Public.

3. He was a member of the Fall River Chamber of Commerce in the early twenties and for many years, exhorted his Dominican confreres (unsuccessfully) to do likewise. Why? To have a chance, he told me, to explain the viewpoint of Franco-Americans, so often misunderstood by people of goodwill who simply do not know. He was pleased later when Father Corriveau, then administrator of the Shrine, joined the Chamber.

4. In 1929, after the annual novena for the Feast of Saint Anne, he inaugurated the perpetual novenas of Tuesdays in honor of Saint Anne. This at the urging of Father Piche, who had witnessed the success of perpetual novenas, still a novelty, in his travels as a preacher. In 1939, he introduced as part of the Sunday afternoon devotions at the Shrine, a solemn procession with the Statue of Saint Anne. Father had a keen flair for "popular devotions." He had the "popular touch."

5. Recognition:

The title of "Preacher General" was awarded to him on August 21, 1939, by the Master General of the Dominican Order, in recognition of his zeal and excellence in preaching the word of God over long years.

A papal decoration, the "Medal Bene Merenti" (to one well deserving) was awarded to him on the first of June 1956, in recognition of the outstanding services rendered to the Church in the fulfillment of his priestly ministry since his arrival at Saint Anne's in 1905. A 50th Anniversary delayed presentation.

6. On May 3, 1958, Father was granted permission by the Congregation for Religious to celebrate the Mass "De Beata" or any other votive Mass any day because of his blindness.