Born: Saint-Constant (Lower Canada), on April 13, 1835.
Took the habit: Montreal, on April 5, 1854,
Vows: Montreal, May 1, 1855, N.386.)
Priestly ordination: Ottawa, April 15, 1858,
Died: Lowell, Massachusetts, March 4, 1814.
Joseph Lefebvre was born in Saint Constant, then in the diocese of Quebec, on April 13, 1835. His parents were Médard Lefebvre, a farmer, and Marie Tremblay. Joseph studied in the college of Montreal, then entered the novitiate on April 5, 1854 and made his final profession on May 1, 1855. The general administration had admitted him to vows on the previous March 16 with the following note: “Joseph Lefebvre did his novitiate in the house in Montreal under the direction of Father Provincial [Jacques Santoni]. His behaviour during all the time of trial was regular and fully satisfactory. He seems to have a real piety, a sincere attachment to his vocation, a love for punctuality. His health is good, his talents more than sufficient and, added to that, he has a happy disposition which makes him naturally suited to community life.” He then studied theology at Ottawa College. He was ordained priest by Bishop Bruno Guigues in Ottawa, on April 18, 1858.
He taught theology in Ottawa (1858-1864) and then went to the parish of Saint-Sauveur, Quebec (1864-1871) where he was treasurer and pastor. Afterwards, he went to the parish of Saint Joseph in Lowell (1871-1873) and then returned to Saint-Pierre-Apôtre in Montreal where he was either treasurer, superior or Provincial over a period of 25 years. He was present at the general chapters of 1887, 1893, 1900 and 1904.
At the end of his mandate as Provincial in Canada, he became Provincial of the American Province with residence in Lowell (1898-1904). He founded a number of missions in Texas and Mexico. Having finished his term of office, he became pastor and superior in Saint Joseph, Lowell (1904-1907) and chaplain to the Franco-American orphanage in Lowell (1907-1914) while continuing to reside in Saint Joseph.
The author of his necrology note wrote, among other things: “Father Lefebvre always professed his most sincere attachment to the Congregation and the most filial submission to its leader. This two-fold sentiment is evident in all his correspondence with the General Administration, and it is obviously spontaneous, sincere and expressed with an admirable graciousness that is truly charming. He gave public witness to that in 1889 after the very painful events that took place in the Canadian Province. He was assigned to preach the two general retreats in the Province, which brought together a total of 75 Oblates in Ottawa, and 22 in Montreal. This is how he reported what happened: From the beginning I said to those I had come to evangelize: there are three things which we must make every effort to develop in ourselves during this retreat, the religious spirit, the spirit of piety and the family spirit. Then, taking my inspiration from the Rule and from my love of the Congregation, I struck charitably but very forcefully at what there might be among us that was contrary to this three-fold spirit.”
On February 25, 1914, Father was struck down with paralysis. He died in the following March 4 at the age of 79. He is buried in the Oblate cemetery in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
Yvon Beaudoinand
Gaston Carrière, o.m.i.
