Born at Eyguières (Bouches-du-Rhône), October 24, 1825.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, December 29, 1849.
Oblation at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, January 1, 1851. (no. 298)
Ordination to the priesthood, June 29, 1851.
Expelled July 4, 1853.
Frédéric Mondini was born at Eyguières in the diocese of Aix-en-Provence on October 24, 1825. Almost at the end of his seminary studies in Aix, he took the habit at the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier, December 29, 1849 and made his oblation on January 1, 1851. Father Santoni, the novice master, had sent some very positive reports to the general administration concerning this novice, a subdeacon who had pretty well finished his theological studies. “His talents are certainly above average and he shows promise of succeeding especially in preaching. His memory is prodigious; his character is excellent; a little too touchy, however, and by that very fact has a too pronounced tendency to become attached to created things. There is also in his character a certain frivolity. His conduct has constantly been good and I can say that the novitiate experience benefited him greatly. He especially learned a genuine prayer life, something that was very weak in the past. He is very docile and very obedient.”
After a few months stay with the scholastic brothers at the major seminary of Marseilles, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop de Mazenod on June 29, 1851 and took up residence at Le Calvaire where he initially followed the “advanced studies” courses which prepared the young priests for preaching. He subsequently took part in a few parish missions.
In the General Council session of July 4, 1853, he was expelled from the Congregation. In two pages, the secretary of the council gave the reasons for this action. He had been admitted to the Congregation after being refused entry to the seminary at Aix. After his ordination, it was noticed that “his virtue and his regularity were only sham. Little by little, this candidate gave himself over to laxness and to a great frivolity.” Soon complaints “were lodged against him, accusing him of certain unbecoming familiarities with persons of the opposite sex.” In spite of being reprimanded and his own good resolutions, he was again accused in this regard during a mission given at Saint-Laurent near Riez. Last of all, he went out at night dressed in lay attire. Father Casimir Aubert immediately sent him to the Grand Carthusian monastery. The General Council then “regularized the fact of this expulsion by a canonical sentence drawn up in due form.”
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
