Address by Father Rondeau
on the Eightieth birthday of Father Marchildon,
May 1956

Reverend Fathers,
Reverend Sisters,
Dear Parishioners of Saint Anne,
Dear Pilgrims of the Shrine,

On behalf of all the religious of the Province of Saint Dominic of Canada and of the United States, I am pleased, on the occasion of his 80th birthday, to offer to the Very Reverend Father Vincent Marchildon, founder of Saint Anne Shrine, the homage of our affection, of our prayers, and of our best wishes of happiness.

May the Good Saint Anne keep him in good health. It is truly marvelous that a Father of his age and after such an automobile accident, can still display so much energy and accomplish so much spiritual work at the Shrine!

May Good Saint Anne obtain for him the grace of living for a long time, in order to continue the beautiful supernatural ministry with the pilgrims, to whom he does so much good.

May Good Saint Anne make him grow in the love of Mary, of Jesus, and of God whom he serves with his whole heart as a priest and Dominican religious.

Dear Father Marchildon, when in 1928 the Pope entrusted to the Dominicans of our Province a mission in Japan, you were asked by your superiors to organize and direct the work of Saint Anne Shrine of Fall River. You have fulfilled your commission in a truly apostolic way. As you inspired in your pilgrims a great devotion to Saint Anne and a great love of God, you have given them a truly sacerdotal and missionary spirit which moved them to give generously to prepare future priests and support our Dominican mission in Japan. In the name of Christ, the Savior of all men, I thank you, Father, as I also thank you, dear pilgrims, for your generosity that has enabled us to train missionaries and support them in their apostolate.

Dear Father Marchildon, tomorrow I will pray especially for you at my Mass on this 80th anniversary of your birth. I wish you once again a joyous and holy feast day and a long apostolic career at Saint Anne Shrine in the service of your beloved pilgrims and of Good Saint Anne.