Born: Cassagnabère (Haute-Garonne), France, June 9, 1833
Took the habit: N.-D. de l’Osier, February 24, 1857
Vows: Montolivet, Marseille, April 4, 1858 (No. 453)
Priestly ordination: Marseille, September 8, 1858.
Died: Montreal, Canada, September 8, 1884.

Basile Dedébant was born in Cassagnabère, diocese of Toulouse, France, on June 9, 1833. His parents were Jacques Dedébant and Monique Gaillard. Having completed his study of theology in the major seminary in Toulouse, he began his novitiate in Notre-Dame de l’Osier on February 24, 1857, and took vows in Montolivet on April 4, 1858. Bishop de Mazenod ordained him to the priesthood on the following September 8. An entry after his name in the Personnel Register of 1862-1863, says: “1862: Physically big and strong, good health, appearance negligent and awkward, not very generous piety, goodhearted, good intentions, ordinary ability, somewhat superficial… 1863: his superior is very pleased with him; somewhat lacking in appearance, military attitude, good musician, he sings at functions.”

He was teaching dogma in the major seminary of Ottawa in 1858-1860 and was assistant priest in Saint-Sauveur, Quebec in 1860-1865, then in Saint-Pierre- Apôtre, Montreal from 1865 to 1884, with a short stay in Quebec in 1871-1873, and in the parish of Saint Joseph, Lowell, Massachusetts in 1873-1874. In both Quebec and Montreal he founded a youth association with the title Cercle littéraire (literary Circle). He organized a band in Quebec and was music director in Montreal. For a time, in 1866, he was chaplain to the 4th battalion of the Carabiniers de Milice , a voluntary police force to guard the frontiers of Canada.

He died in Montreal on September 8, 1884, at the age of 51 years. In his death notice, Father Soullier wrote: “he was, in the real sense of the word, a good natured man. He had a heart of gold, a cheerful character, always glad to be of service and to make others happy. He was an excellent confrere and earned the esteem and affection of everybody, but especially of the young people.” He is buried in the Oblate cemetery in Richelieu.

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