Gillet, Marie-Joseph

Born at Lille (Nord), November 6, 1820.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, October 31, 1847.
Oblation at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, November 1, 1848. (no. 218)
Ordination to the priesthood at Marseilles, June 29, 1851.
Died at Pontmain, September 8, 1886.

Marie-Joseph Gillet was born at Lille in the diocese of Cambrai on November 6, 1820. After completing his studies in literature, he entered the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier on October 31, 1847 and made his oblation on November 1, 1848. Admitted to vows in the October 2, 1848 session of the General Council, the Council stated that he “was endowed with good qualities, but was nervous and had an imagination that was easily excitable.” After a few years in the major seminary at Marseilles, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop de Mazenod on June 29, 1851.

Initially, he took the course of “advanced studies” at Notre-Dame de la Garde, a course established by the Founder with a view to better preparing the young Oblate priests for preaching. His first appearance in the pulpit, a lapse of memory forced him to withdraw without having finished his sermon. This brought on a great fit of discouragement and, under the impact of this state of mind, he left to join the Trappists. He soon became aware of the mistake he had made and returned to Marseilles where he worked, at first, at Le Calvaire.

He subsequently spent his life preaching missions and retreats in several dioceses, because, after a few years in one house, he invariably asked to go someplace else. He initially stayed at Notre-Dame de Bon Secours from 1852 to 1856, at Notre-Dame de Talence from 1856 to 1860 and from 1862 to 1867, in Limoges in 1861. We are unable to determine precisely the dates of the other obediences. According to the author of his obituary in Missions O.M.I., he was also a member of the houses at Nancy and at Saint-Andelain. In 1868, he was in Angers, at Arcachon in 1875, at Autun from 1877 to 1882, at Pontmain where he died in 1886.

The author of his obituary wrote that, at Talence, Father Gillet “offered an example of zeal and of virtue. There was never a moment’s hesitation in his devotion, always it was a case of joy and confidence in God. His sermons, though they were not masterpieces, were drawn up using the resources of the best authors. His sermons were polished and delivered in a natural way in a very beautiful voice. The impression produced was good. […] Obedience was his great law. On the other hand, if, on occasion, he would have wished that it were in accord with his own personal wishes, he knew how to make all the sacrifices called for to observe it. […] He was a prayerful man, a religious regular in observance of the rule, a zealous apostle for the salvation of souls and ever devoted to the Congregation.”
It was at Pontmain, on September 8, 1886, as he was leaving the altar that he died, struck down by an aneurysm.

Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.