Born in Laguiole (Aveyron), December 6, 1826
Taking of the habit in N.-D. de l’Osier, January 10, 1848
Oblation in Marseilles, January 11, 1849 (No. 237)
Ordination to the priesthood in Aix, September 21, 1850
Dispensed from his vows in January of 1863.
Died in Windsor, Ontario, December 15, 1919.

Jean-Paul Andrieu was born son of Anne Pages of Jean-François Andrieu , a topographer, in Laguiole in the diocese of Rodez on December 6, 1826. He began his novitiate in Notre-Dame de l’Osier on January 10, 1848 and made his oblation at the major seminary of Marseilles on January 11, 1849. In his report on the novices, dated July 6, 1848, Father Vincens wrote: “Andrieu from Rodez: perfect as far as his conduct, his character and his progress goes; adequate as to abilities, but has little learning .” He was admitted to oblation at the General Council meeting of January 8, 1849 because it was recognized that “the candidate being presented was sensible, very virtuous, endowed with a deep humility and docility, perfect in his regular observance and with obedience proof to any test and that, in addition, the talents he possessed were more than sufficient to do good in the Congregation.” Bishop de Mazenod ordained him to the priesthood at the major seminary of Aix on September 21, 1850 and immediately gave him an obedience to Bytown.

Father Andrieu worked in Maniwaki from 1851 to 1860. He was especially responsible for the mission of Saint-Maurice (1852-1860), the missions of Lac-Sainte-Marie (1853-1860), of Gracefield (1853-1860) where he built a chapel in 1857, of Lac-Bouchette (1853-1860) and of Rivière Joseph (Sainte-Famille-d’Aumond in 1853-1860). He then ministered in Plattsburgh, U.S.A., in 1861, and in Burlington in 1861-1863.

In a letter to Bishop Guigues written from Plattsburgh on November 24, 1862, Father Andrieu requested a dispensation from his vows because he found the lifestyle of living in community very hard and he wanted to go help out his uncle, Abbé Pages, pastor of Lacapelle in the diocese of Rodez, who was getting on in years and was ill. Father Joseph Fabre, the Superior General, dispensed him from his vows at the beginning of 1863, but Abbé Andrieu stayed on in Canada as assistant priest and then pastor in the diocese of London, Ontario. He died in Windsor on December 15, 1919. His remains were laid to rest in Tecumseh.

Yvon Beaudoin
and Gaston Carrière, o.m.i.