Born at Marseilles, July 26, 1817
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, June 28, 1843
Perpetual oblation, August 15, 1845 (no. 134)
Expelled from the Congregation, July 18, 1851.
André Père was born in Marseilles July 26, 1817. He began his novitiate on June 28, 1843 at Notre-Dame de l’Osier where he made his perpetual oblation on August 15, 1845. It seems he worked at Le Calvaire before being sent to Notre-Dame de Lumières as cook. At the end of June 1851, he left this house without permission and returned to his family, leaving his superior, Father Bise, a letter stating that he did not get along with the priests and brothers of the community.
At the July 18, 1851 session of the General Council, the decision was taken to expel him from the Congregation. Many reasons were brought forward for doing this. In the report, we read: “His conduct for some time now has been in total contradiction to his duties, in spite of warnings issued to him by his superior. To the great scandal of the neighbours and in defiance of express orders to the contrary, he would secretly set aside bread and fresh meat for a girl he used to see at night or at unusual hours in the morning, alleging he was being charitable to her and her mother. He was a man of fierce and sour disposition, without respect for his superiors and for their orders. He took advantage of the absence of his superior to buy for himself some clothes without obtaining anyone’s permission to do so. He ran up exorbitant expenses in buying bread, wine and strong drink […] he gave himself over to excessive drinking and eating in the company of an unworthy house servant while his superiors were away from the community…”
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
