Born at Buis (Drôme), December 12, 1832.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, December 7, 1852.
Oblation at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, December 8, 1853. (no. 362)
Ordination to the priesthood at Marseilles, June 28, 1857.
Left and was dispensed from his vows between 1859 and 1862.

Paul Bordel was born in Buis in the diocese of Valence, December 12, 1832. He entered the novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on December 7, 1852 and it was there that he made his oblation on December 8, 1853. He made his scholasticate at the major seminary of Marseilles in 1853-1854 and at Montolivet from 1854 to 1857. In his reports, Father Mouchette, the moderator of scholastics, usually stressed Brother Bordel’s negative traits. For example, he wrote: “1853: He is a bit lacking with regard to exercises of prayer and he seems to me to be a bit flighty; he could work harder at his studies […]; 1855: There is some good in him, good will, regular observance, assiduousness in carrying out his duties, but there is also inconsistency, too much fantasy and shyness […]; 1857: neglected his studies a bit; listlessness, too much fantasy, faint-heartedness; weak judgment; a bit flighty in character […]” In his notes on some scholastic brothers, the Founder wrote: “Bordel, the original attraction for him was the desire of sanctifying himself in a regular congregation, then attracted by the foreign missions; this attraction has grown since his oblation. He is walking with simplicity before his God.”

Brother Bordel was ordained to the priesthood in Marseilles on June 28, 1857. Then, he took the eloquence course offered as “advanced studies” at Notre-Dame de la Garde. In the spring of 1858 he received his obedience for the church school at Vico to replace Father Visdari who was ill. In a January 31, 1859 letter to Father Casimir Aubert, Father Balaïn, the superior, wrote: “Father Bordel is good enough; I am going easy on him as well as on Father Bermès. These are two men with whom you can not be too demanding.”

Afterward, the only place his name appears is in the 1862-1863 Personnel Register. Behind is name it is written: “After his ordination, he was a professor at Vico. That is where he requested and received a dispensation from his vows. He found a posting as parish priest in the diocese of Valence.”

Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.