Born at Grenoble (Isère), September 22, 1841.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, January 23, 1860.
Oblation at Montolivet, February 17, 1861. (no. 540)
Ordination to the priesthood at Autun, June 10, 1865.
Left the Congregation about 1879-1880.

Paul Du Clôt was born in Grenoble on September 22, 1841. After his secondary studies at the minor seminary of Grenoble, he entered the novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on January 23, 1860. Before sending him to the scholasticate in January of 1861, Father Vandenberghe summarized his notes of the year in these words: “Du Clôt has a sincere prayer life, persevering. Gentle in character, but energetic and at the same time not very lively. Lucid intelligence, solid judgment… excellent candidate.”

The novice continued his formation at the scholasticate of Montolivet for a few months and made his oblation on February 17, 1861. In May, Father Mouchette, the moderator of scholastics, wrote in his report: “Du Clôt, quite willing to do anything, very fragile health and character a bit fragile as well. The end result is that with good will he can only very poorly fulfill his duties.” Brother Du Clôt did his philosophic studies at Nancy, then went to Autun to continue his scholasticate there from 1862 to 1865. Father Martinet, the superior, hardly mentions his name from 1862 to 1864, but we read in the Personnel Register of 1862-1863: “Du Clôt, from a noble and very honourable family. Gentle in character, good, steady, with a courageous and tender prayer life, has abilities which are sure and easy. His vocation was opposed. He was able to receive his father’s consent only after obtaining his bachelor’s degree which he obtained by his own efforts. His health is very delicate: very strong palpitations of the heart. He made his vows without his father’s knowledge and then proceeded to Nancy and studied philosophy at the major seminary from 1861 to 1862.”

At Autun in 1865, Father Martinet drew a rather accurate picture of Brother Du Clôt’s character with regard to mentality, prayer life, dress, acquired knowledge and his natural gifts. Concerning these last two points, he wrote: “Education, incomplete, because illness prevented him from totally completing his theological studies. Natural gifts: in view of his health there are few things he will be able to do, as for example, teach catechism, act as treasurer for a small Oblate house or else act as assistant treasurer in a large house.”

Indeed, Father Du Clôt did very little work during his life. Ordained to the priesthood at Autun on June 10, 1865, he remained at the scholasticate as assistant treasurer and professor of liturgy. In 1868, he received his obedience for Aix. In the beginning of 1869, he asked to be dispensed from his vows because of ill health, stating that he could not do anything and that he does not even have the faculties to hear confessions. In its March 15, 1869 session, the General Council “was of the mind that this priest does not have sufficient reason to obtain a dispensation from his vows,” but the Superior General gave him permission to hear confessions. In the month of March 1870, Father Fabre suggested sending him to the scholasticate in Rome. Father Du Clôt accepted, but changed his mind one month later, citing the hot weather in Rome. From the General Council’s report of July 24, 1871, we learn that Father Du Clôt was in Talence, but, upon the advice of his doctors, requested permission to retire to his parental home where he would undergo treatment. The Council agreed.

Father Du Clôt resided in Aix from 1872 to 1878 and was chaplain at the prisons. In his report on the house in Aix in 1878, Father Garnier wrote: “Reverend Father Du Clôt took over Father Saboulin’s ministry in the prisons. Grasping well the responsibility that had been entrusted to him, he never ceased carrying out this work of mercy, both spiritual and material, with the kind of charity so much encouraged by Gospel teaching and the example of the saints. How many times when dealing with these unfortunate wretches, these murderers, these people condemned to death, did he not succeed in opening the heart of God and making it bring forth its mercy to pour itself into those debased hearts […] Consequently, we were deeply saddened to see him give up this prison work; but his too fragile health, by compelling him to take complete rest, compelled him to make this sacrifice as well.”

He was then sent to Bordeaux, then went once again to his family home to rest. In the General Council’s report of their February 10, 1879 session, the secretary general wrote: “Du Clôt, authorized to prolong his stay with his family.” His name does not appear in the 1880 Personnel.

Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.