Born at Plerguer (Ille-et-Vilaine), June 2, 1838.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, September 11, 1858.
Oblation at Montolivet, May 27, 1860. (no. 507)
Ordination to the priesthood at Ajaccio, June 4, 1864.
Dispensed from his vows, November 28, 1864.
Victor Mordrelle was born at Plerguer in the diocese of Rennes on June 2, 1838. After his last year in classical studies, he entered the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier on September 11, 1858. In his notes on the novices, Father Vandenberghe always found him “filled with fervor and with the best dispositions” with “devout and capable.” but “very impressionable, which prejudices the stability of his moods.”
Scholastic Brother Mordrelle was sent to Marseilles in September of 1859 and made his oblation at Montolivet on May 27, 1860. However, in April, Father Mouchette, the moderator of scholastics, had written in his reports: “Mordrelle, diligent in all his duties. There are moments when he is no longer himself. He seems to be a dreamer, seems ill at ease with his confreres…” He spent the 1862-1863, and 1863-1864 academic years at the church school of Vico as a professor for the first and second forms. It was at Ajaccio that he was ordained to the priesthood on June 4, 1864. Father Fabre then allowed him to take some vacation with his family. During the course of the summer, Father Mordrelle wrote several letters to the Superior General to state that, first he was delaying his return in order to finish up some family business; then that he was ill. In September and October, he earnestly pressed for a dispensation from his vows. His request was refused by the General Council session of November 14 because they could see no valid reasons for doing so. Then, on November 28, they granted his request.
In January-March of 1866, Father Mordrelle wrote several letters to Father Fabre asking him to be re-admitted to the Congregation. He was being refused ministry everywhere in spite of a letter of recommendation from the Superior General. On April 23, 1879, Abbé Mordrelle wrote once again to Father Fabre to tell him that, having joined the Greek orthodox church in Russia, he had been a professor for 12 years at a lyceum in Saint Petersburg. Having repented, he rejoined the Catholic Church and wanted to rejoin the Oblates. In March, June and July of 1879 the archbishop of Rennes wrote several times to the Superior General telling him that he was unable to keep Abbé Mordrelle in his diocese and the Oblates were, in justice, obliged to see to his sustenance and to provide him with ministry since they are the ones who ordained him to the priesthood in Ajaccio “without dimissorial letters or excardination and without asking for information from the archbishop of Rennes.” Father Fabre subsequently wrote to several bishops, asking them to accept Abbé Mordrelle and give him ministry. We have the responses from the bishops of Versailles, Meaux and Evreux who refused to receive him into their diocese. From then onwards, the name Mordrelle no longer appeared in Oblate sources.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
