Born: Alixan (Drôme), France, July 10, 1831.
Took the habit: N.-D. de l’Osier, September 7, 1852.
Vows: N.-D. de l’Osier, September 8, 1853 (N. 352).
Priestly ordination: Marseilles, June 8, 1856.
Died: Jaffna, Ceylon, March 9, 1885.
Jean Joseph-Marie Pouzin was born Alixan, diocese of Valence, France, on July 10, 1831. Having finished the course of his secondary studies and one year of philosophy in the minor seminary of Valence, he began his novitiate in Notre-Dame de l’Osier on September 7, 1852 and he took vows there on September 8, 1853. In his report in the month of October 1952, the novice master, Father Florent Vandenberghe wrote: “Decidedly, the minor seminary of Valence has sent us some good candidates: Pouzin: the same qualities as Brothers Mourrier and Ricard”. His opinion is that he is good religious, pious, devoted in his responsibility of infirmarian, but very shy and susceptible.
The scholastic studied theology in the major seminary of Marseilles in 1853-1854 and then in Montolivet until his ordination on June 8, 1856. In the general council meeting of December 4, 1856, he was assigned to Ceylon where “his success was to be greater than in other ministries”. He left with Father Étienne Semeria on March 2, 1857.
Having learned Tamil he was stationed in Kayts from 1858 to 1864. The mission had about 6,000 Catholic scattered in eighteen villages. From 1864 to 1875 he ministered in Madhu-Mantotte, first of all as assistant to Father Joseph Laclau-Pussacq and later as pastor of the mission, which had about 4,000 Catholics. In 1872 he was also appointed superior of Mannar district and administrator of the shrine in Madhu. In 1874 he was given a period of rest by being appointed to the mission of Puttalam in the south and then, from 1881 until his death, he was pastor of the Saint Mary’s cathedral in Jaffna, where there about 7,000 parishioners. In his necrology note it is said that “in spite of his numerous and often difficult occupations, Father Pouzin was always a model of regularity for the community of Jaffna. He was punctual at all the exercises that were held in common and absented himself only when called to the bedside of a sick person in danger of death. He was animated with the true spirit of our religious family. He was good and affable with all his brothers, very respectful to his superiors. He was especially careful to avoid anything which would be contrary to fraternal charity.”
During February 1885, in spite of the fact that he had a heavy cold, he set out on seventeen consecutive nights “to bring the last sacraments to persons who were sick”. He developed a fever which caused his death on the following March 9.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
