Gigaud, Léopold

Born at Audierne (Finistère), April 16, 1834.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, September 6, 1856.
Oblation at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, September 7, 1857. (no. 442)
Ordination to the priesthood at Marseilles, September 19, 1857.
Died at Diano Marina, December 19, 1903.

Léopold Gigaud was born on April 16, 1834 at Audierne in the diocese of Quimper. At the end of his studies at the major seminary, he began his novitiate on September 6, 1856 and was received by the Founder who was visiting Notre-Dame de l’Osier at the time. The novice made his oblation there on September 7, 1857 and left for Marseilles where he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop de Mazenod on September 19, 1857. In the Personnel Registry of 1862-1863, under his name is written: “Weak physical constitution. Medium in height, average build. Family upbringing rather refined. A great deal of feeling, a fiery imagination. Virtuous and prayerful. A rather sharp and judicious mind. Above average in talents. Compelling speech, rather energetic and reasonable. After his ordination, he was made assistant to the master of novices at Notre-Dame de l’Osier.”

Father Gigaud taught Sacred Scripture at Montolivet in 1858-1859 and subsequently functioned as mission preacher at Talence from 1859 to 1862, at Angers in 1863 and from 1863 to 1871, at Le Calvaire in Marseilles where he continued to preach, but mainly worked as chaplain of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bordeaux and of the boarding school of the Immaculate Conception in Prado. From 1871 to 1877, he was superior of the minor seminary of Notre-Dame de Lumières, then superior at Notre-Dame de la Garde and director of pilgrimages from 1877 to 1899. In a 1902 report on Notre-Dame de la Garde, Father Bessières wrote: “For twenty-two years, Rev. Fr. Gigaud, superior of the house and director of pilgrimages, spent himself with devotion and understanding for the interests of the basilica. He was deeply involved in all the work carried out. By his politeness, and his tact, in spite of the many difficulties of his delicate situation, he succeeded in maintaining and gaining for the pilgrimage the most favorable good will. For several years already, rheumatic pain compelled him to make the bitter sacrifice of, from time to time, living away from his beloved shrine. Like the faithful worker whose strength can no longer carry out what his valor demands, on August 15, 1899 he was obliged to hand over to another the responsibility for his work. He took with him into retirement the satisfaction of having for a long time worked for the glory of Mary. He also took with him much merit and the esteem of the best friends of Notre-Dame de la Garde.”

Upon leaving Marseilles in 1899, Father Gigaud took up residence for some time in Lyon and in 1901 moved to Nice. After having been well cared for in this house, he delivered a teaching in the chapel. As he was descending from the pulpit, he fell, struck down by an attack of paralysis. “He was able to recover,” wrote Father Moyet, “not to the point of being able to walk about, but to be able to sit on a reclining chair. As a convalescent, he edified all of us by his resignation and his cheerfulness.” In 1902, Father Gigaud retired to Notre-Dame de Lumières from which he was forced to leave when the expulsions took place on April 14, 1903. With a few priests and brothers from Lumières, he was welcomed into our Oblate house of Diano Marina in Italy where he died at the age of 69 on December 19, 1903.

Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.