Born at Saint-Étienne-en-Forêt (Loire), May 6, 1833.
Taking of the habit at Notre-Dame de l’Osier, August 28, 1857.
Oblation at Montolivet, January 19, 1859. (no. 471)
Ordination to the priesthood at Marseilles, June 24, 1860.
Entered the Trappists at La Trappe in November 1875.
Augustin Ronzy was born at Saint-Étienne-en-Forêt in the diocese of Lyon, May 6, 1833. After a year of theological studies at the major seminary of Lyon, he entered the novitiate of Notre-Dame de l’Osier on August 28, 1857 and made his oblation at Montolivet on January 19, 1859. When the novice arrived, Father Vandenberghe, master of novices, wrote in his notes: “Ronzy, of average talent. I place a lot of hope in him. He seems to me to be very sensible, very humble and of a wholly naturally happy disposition.” Upon sending him to Marseilles, he wrote to Father Mouchette on September 23, 1858: “Passable in everything. He shines only in music. His prayer life is more devote feelings than solid sentiments. His generosity is more sentiment than action. Finally, he is a little superficial both as regards his intellectual life and his prayer life. I do believe, however, that he will render himself useful. He is subjected to moments of sadness and of melancholy, but generally his character is good and he might even be easily carefree.” At Montolivet, the moderator of scholastics found him always “flighty, a bit superficial, but good hearted and has good will.”
Augustin Ronzy was ordained to the priesthood at Marseilles on June 24, 1860 and received his obedience for Notre-Dame de Clery where he was assistant priest and preached a few retreats. He was subsequently a mission preacher at Talence in 1865 and 1866, then at Limoges from 1867. In a July 21, 1870 letter to Father Fabre he states that he is in contact with the Limoges garrison and is offering his services as military chaplain on the front lines of the Franco-Prussian war. According to a detail found in the 1874 Missions O.M.I., he seemed to have been a member of the Angers community in 1872-1873. In 1875, he was at Pontmain when he requested permission to join the Trappists. In an October 9 letter to Father Fabre, he stated that he wanted to become a Trappist in order withdraw from the world the better to sanctify himself. On October 22, when faced with some doubts on Father Fabre’s part, Father Ronzy insisted and admitted that he found the life of a mission preacher there very hard. Moreover, during the past winter when he was sick and discouraged during a mission, his confreres failed to help him out and wrote negative things to the provincial about him instead. In the October 18 session of the General Council, the decision was already taken to allow him to leave. In his report of the session, the secretary wrote: “While feeling sorry to lose him as a mission preacher who is quite gifted in several ways, the Council is of the opinion that it should make no opposition to this plan.”
Father Fabre sent him a celebret and a letter of recommendation. On January 15, 1876 Father Ronzy wrote from the Trappist monastery of Port-du-Salut in the diocese of Laval to say that he would soon begin his novitiate and that he would always be grateful to the Congregation.
Yvon Beaudoin, o.m.i.
