Born: Grand-Serre (Drôme), March 13, 1826
Taking of the habit: N.-D. de l’Osier, August 14, 1844
Oblation: N.-D. de l’Osier, August 15, 1845 (No. 140)
Ordination to the priesthood: June 24, 1849
Died: Montreal, May 23, 1882.
Hyacinthe Auguste Charpeney was born March 12, 1826 at Grand-Serre, diocese of Avignon, son of Virginie Sibert and Hyacinthe Charpeney, clothe merchant. After having attended elementary school and made his First Holy Communion in 1839, he studied at the juniorate of Notre-Dame de Lumières from 1840-1844 and took the habit at the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier on August 14, 1844 and made his oblation on August 15, 1845. When he finished his scholasticate at the major seminary of Marseilles, Bishop de Mazenod ordained him to the priesthood on June 24, 1849.
Father Charpeney received his obedience for Notre-Dame de Bon Secours where he worked for ten years. His superior, Father Joseph Alphonse Martin, esteemed highly his young co-worker “who”, he wrote, “to a native talent for preaching added a genuine apostolic zeal, an openness and an affability of character that was admirable. His desire to do good was intense.”
At the General Council session of November 20, 1858, the decision was taken to send him to Canada. Happy and very busy at Notre-Dame de Bon Secours, Father Charpeney responded, saying that he had little attraction for and even a strong aversion to foreign missions. He was invited to come to Marseilles to explain what he meant. He met with the Founder, accepted the obedience given to him on December 14 and arrived in Canada at the beginning of 1859.
In Canada (1859-1882)
He was in residence at Quebec City from 1859-1860 and made a few trips to the Côte-Nord, but he was slow in adapting and inaction was a trial for him. Bishop Guigues, the provincial, called him to Montreal where Father Charpeney remained from 1860 to 1871. He acted as local treasurer and, from 1863, was superior and pastor, then provincial treasurer from 1865 to 1871. From 1871 to 1877, he fulfilled the duties of pastor and superior at Hull, province of Quebec, and spent the last years of his life in Quebec City (1877-1880) and in Montreal (1880-1882).
Everywhere he lived he was treasurer and grew a garden of fruits and vegetables. He held the office of pastor and found time to preach a few retreats. He also wrote a lot of letters. The author of his obituary noted that Father Charpeney suffered from the defect of always being too unsettled; he was always on the go. But this stemmed from his zeal and his desire to be of service to others. He also distinguished himself by his simplicity and his compassion for the poor.
He fell ill in Montreal in the month of April 1882 and died on May 23. His solemn funeral rites were celebrated at the church Saint-Pierre-Apôtre in Montreal. His body was laid to rest in the Oblate cemetery of Richelieu.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
