Born at Trémonzey (Vosges), November 13, 1832.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, October 18, 1852.
Oblation at Marseilles, November 1, 1853. (no. 356)
Died at Trémonzey, January 22, 1857.
Augustin Lamarche was born at Trémonzey in the diocese of Saint-Dié on November 13, 1832. He began his novitiate at Notre-Dame de l’Osier on October 18, 1852 and made his oblation at Marseilles on November 1, 1853. He studied philosophy at the major seminary of Marseilles in 1853-1854 and began his theological studies at Montolivet in 1854-1855. In his reports on the scholastics, Father Mouchette judges him rather harshly and cannot really understand him. He finds that Brother Lamarche is vain, has a haughty and difficult character, is very sensitive about his illness and asks for exceptions for the smallest of reasons, etc.
In July of 1855, Brother Lamarche was sent to Lys Marie in England. He immediately wrote to Bishop de Mazenod to tell him that he was learning English and was well accepted by the novices and the scholastics. During the academic year of 1855-1856, however, Father Gustave Richard complained of his conduct. Bishop de Mazenod answered him in an April 17, 1856 letter: “Two things distress me: to see the intractability of poor brother Lamarche who absolutely refuses, it seems, to conform and the provincial’s illness […] It was not in view of ridding ourselves of him that we sent Brother Lamarche to you. It was our belief that the change of climate would be good for his health and that he would be better able to make himself useful there in your house than he would be some place else. It would seem that we were mistaken […] His state of ill health is sufficient reason to justify his frequent infractions of the Rule.”
He was subsequently sent to rest at his family home in Trémonzey. It was there that he died on January 22, 1857, carried off by consumption which he had contracted two years previously.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
