Born at Marsanne (Drôme) September 30, 1827
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, September 7, 1846
Perpetual oblation at Notre-Dame de Lumières, February 17, 1848 (no. 181)
Left the Congregation in 1861.
Joseph Besson was born at Marsanne, in the diocese of Valence on September 30, 1827. He entered the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier September 7, 1846 and made his perpetual oblation at Notre-Dame de Lumières February 17, 1848. He was already working as the cook at Notre-Dame des Lumières in June of 1847. In a June 24, 1847 letter to Bishop de Mazenod, Father Joseph Martin, the superior, wrote: “This worthy young man applies himself with special attention to everything we ask him to do. He accepts well the spirit of self-denial and obedience which suits him.” In a January 30, 1848 letter, Father Martin presented Brother Besson for perpetual vows and stated that “this young man is endowed with all the good qualities and skill to become a first-class, useful religious.”
In February of 1849, Brother Besson received his obedience to Notre-Dame de l’Osier and remained in that house as cook right up until 1861. On January 6, 1859, Father Vandenberghe, superior at l’Osier, wrote to Father Soullier that he had no brother available to send to Montolivet; all of them were leaving the Congregation. What was required was a novitiate for the coadjutor brothers distinct from the novitiate for the scholastic brothers. He added that Brother Besson was still functioning as cook, but was in failing health. In an October 6, 1861 letter to Father Fabre, Father Melchior Burfin we learn that Brother Besson has left the Congregation. Father Burfin asked for his address. He wants to invite him to become cook at Limoges “even by paying him a salary, the house would still be ahead.” There is no dossier under the Besson name at the Oblate General Archives in Rome.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
