Born at Orléans (Loiret), March 13, 1813.
Ordination to the priesthood at Orléans in 1835.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on November 12, 1857.
Oblation at Nancy, November 13, 1858. (no. 466)
Died at Angers, March 1, 1878.
Pierre Auguste Dufour was born at Orléans on March 13, 1813. Ordained to the priesthood at Orléans in 1835, he began his novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on November 12, 1857 and finished his novitiate at Nancy where he made his oblation on November 13, 1858. At l’Osier from November 1857 up until September 1858 Father Vandenberghe wrote each month in his notes on the novices that this priest is “virtuous, “ “gives pleasure because of his virtue, his tact and his good character, “ has “a strong prayer life, “ “is admirable for his simplicity,” but judges that his “education was average,” “with very average capability” with “little judgment and little knowledge.”
In the Personnel Registry of 1862-1863 there is written under Father Dufour’s name: “A highly regarded priest, virtuous and valued in his diocese. He became a missionary with a view of accomplishing something greater. Tall, dignified in appearance, manners simple and at times affected. Gentle and winning character. Very average ability, limited education. Judgment deficient. Preaching difficult, little used to ministry. As a priest in Nancy, he was put in charge of the novitiate of the Sisters of Doctrine. In 1862, it was found that he was not up to doing this work. He was sent to our house in Paris and, in May of 1863 to Notre-Dame de l’Osier to minister to the community of religious women.”
Indeed, according to his correspondence and what is said of him when he is mentioned in Missions O.M.I., Father Dufour remained and worked at Nancy from 1858 to 1862, in Paris, Limoges and l’Osier in 1862 and 1863, at Notre-Dame de Sion from 1864 to 1866, at Nancy from 1867 to 1869, then at Angers from 1870 to 1878. During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-1871, he was chaplain and army medic in the army of the Loire. Initially chaplain for religious women from 1858 to 1863, Father Dufour was pilgrimage director at Sion from 1864 to 1866, then, especially a mission preacher until his death which took place at Angers on March 1, 1878.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
