Born at Saint-Chamond (Loire), March 21, 1834.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, September 11, 1858.
Oblation at Montolivet, May 27, 1860. (no. 506)
Ordination to the priesthood at Marseilles, July 14, 1861.
Left the Congregation, August 16, 1864.
Henri Rivory was born at Saint-Chamond in the diocese of Lyon on March 21, 1834. He had made a year of theological studies at Lyon when he was obliged to leave to fulfill his military service. He spent two years in the army. When he was recovering from an illness, he got to know the Sisters of Charity who cared for him during his illness. They found that he was a man of prayer and put him in contact with the Oblates. He began his novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on September 11, 1858. Father Vandenberghe, the master of novices, initially saw only his positive qualities: “gentle and noble virtue,” “a most sensitive understanding, a choice soul,” “very edifying and of a stable character,” “exemplary prayer life and regular in his observance.” Subsequently, he detected some faults in him: “a bit self-satisfied,” “a bit proud and over sensitive,” “a trace of egotism,” “a secret inclination to show off.”
In September 1859, novice Rivory was sent to Montolivet where he was always judged in a favourable light by Father Mouchette, moderator of scholastics. He made his oblation in the presence of Bishop de Mazenod on May 27, 1860 and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Jeancard on July 14, 1861.
After this ordination, he was sent to Autun as a mission preacher. His health did not permit him to continue in this demanding ministry. On September 8, 1862, he was appointed treasurer of the Sacred Heart scholasticate at Autun. According to this correspondence, he looked down upon the scholastic brothers who did not like him and who would not associate with him. In April 1863, Father Rivory left Autun without permission and withdrew to his family. According to the 1862-1863 Personnel Registry, the provincial succeeded in luring him back into the Congregation, first at Aix, then at Notre-Dame de l’Osier and then at Vico.
In the February 3, 1864, report of the General Council, we read the following: “serious accusations of seduction lodged against the priests Sacré, Vivier and Rivory. Grievously pained by this horrible and deplorable gangrene which infects several members of the Congregation, the Council expressed its desire that they all be cast out, all the more so because the warnings offered them in no way led them to mend their ways.”
In a letter of August 5 to 13, 1864, Father Rivory requested a dispensation from his vows, alleging ill health. In its August 16, 1864 session: “The Council, giving consideration to the fact that apostasy is the only reason involved with regard to the priest in question, at the request of our very reverend Father General, gave its consent without regret to granting him his dispensation.”
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
