Born: Bains (Voges), June 19, 1835.
Took the habit: N.-D. de l’Osier, October 12, 1853.
Vows: Marseille, December 8, 1854 (No. 381).
Priestly ordination: Marseille, June 27, 1858.
Left, with dispensation of vows: 1882-1883.
Died: Vrécourt, France, December 12, 1884.
Charles Grandidier was born in Bains, diocese of Saint-Dié, France, on June 19, 1835. His parents were Joseph Nicolas Grandidier, gendarme, and Marie Menistrey. He commenced his novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on October 12, 1853 and he took vows in Marseilles on December 8, 1854. The novice master, Father Vandenberghe, had asked that his admission to vows be delayed so that this novice’s vocation could be further tested.
He studied theology at Montolivet from 1854 to 1858. In his report, Father Mouchette, moderator of scholastics, gives a favourable opinion about him. He says that he is good, punctual, well applied to study, full of goodwill, but he adds: “he needs sympathy… his heart is prone to certain attachments and this he needs to combat.” In his notes on certain scholastics, the Founder also writes: “Is attracted to the foreign missions. He was attracted to us because he considered we were consecrated to the Virgin Mary… Tends to have preferences which he takes much to heart.”
After his ordination to the priesthood in Marseilles on June27, 1858, he was destined for the missions of Oregon and he was sent to Sicklinghall in England “to learn the English language and to become familiar with the habits and adapt to the social customs of this people”. He stayed in Liverpool in 1859. He was at the mission of Saint Joseph in Olympia, Oregon, in 1860, then in New Westminster, British Colombia from 1860 to 1868. After this he travelled he travelled much in the missions along the Fraser River and, in 1863, he accompanied Father Pandosy to found the mission of Fort Rupert on Vancouver Island.
He became ill in 1868 and returned to Europe. He ministered in the penitentiary of Glencree in 1869 and in Dublin in 1871. He then spent some time in France in 1870 and obtained a pension for his mother from the general administration.
Having returned to British Colombia he was appointed Superior of the Indian school in Williams Lake from 1871 to 1872, then director of the residence in Kamloops from 1872 to 1880. There he wrote criticizing the administration of Bishop D’Herbomez, whom he considered to be leaving the missions in a state of abandon. Then, in 1880, the bishop received letters condemning his lifestyle. Father Grandidier admitted then that he no longer agreed with Bishop D’Herbomez and had not done so for twenty years. He said that he was tired and asked to enter a Trappist monastery or to change Province. On October 24, Bishop D’Herbomez wrote to Father Fabre to say that he had no objection to Father’s departure because of his “violent revolt” and “his outlook and objectionable conduct”. While awaiting the Superior General’s reply, Father was sent to Williams Lake (1880-1881).
He returned to France in 1882 and asked to be dispensed from his vows because of his delicate health and rheumatic pains. The bishop of Saint-Dié appointed him pastor of Vrécourt and Father Fabre granted him a dispensation from his vows in January 1883. On January 31, Father Grandidier wrote to thank Father Fabre for his letter of the 30th and he added: “Rest assured that I keep a deep love for the Congregation of which I was a member for so many years and I regret the unfortunate circumstances of administration and matters of self interest which obliged me to ask for a separation from it”. He died at Vrécourt on December 12, 1884.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
