Born at Orange (Vaucluse), September 14, 1838.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, October 6, 1855.
Oblation at Montolivet, November 1, 1857. (no. 444)
Expelled in the course of the summer of 1860.
Joseph Henri Jacques Courbet was born at Orange in the diocese of Avignon, September 14, 1838. he began his novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on October 6, 1855 and made his oblation at Montolivet on November 1, 1857. From the month of November 1855 until spring of 1856, Father Vanderberghe wrote in his notes on the novices that Courbet “displays the most auspicious disposition with regard to his prayer life and learning” that he is “an angel with regard to prayer.” Later on, with each successive month, he found some new failing in him: “a little flighty,” “very exuberant and rather hypersensitive,” “strong bent towards vanity and self-complacency,” “lacking in judgment.” “he always presents himself as the man well versed in everything!” That is why he made him do two years of novitiate and, in September 1857, he sent him to Marseilles. “His novitiate has been finished for more than a year,” he wrote, “For a few months now, he has greatly reformed his vain and presumptuous character.”
The novice made his oblation at Montolivet on November 1, 1857. In his reports on the scholastic brothers, Father Mouchette always judged him as being good and of regular observance, but fickle and superficial. In 1859, scholastic brother Courbet left the scholastiate, but immediately asked for and obtained readmission. In the course of the summer of 1860, Father Mouchette wrote: “Apostate, fugitive for the second time! May God keep us from ever having these wretched candidates in whom pride rules and nullifies all the efforts one can make on their behalf!” In a December 24, 1860 letter to the senator of Bouches-du-Rhône, Bishop de Mazenod wrote that Mr. Courbet, ordained a deacon since June 24, 1860, has left the diocese of Marseilles and is continuing his studies at Avignon.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
