Obituary Record

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected death of Very Reverend Father Henry Leduc, almost forty years the pastor of the Catholic congregation of Bay St. Louis, and a more beautiful priestly career than his is beyond doubt.

The sad news was received last week, but coming indirectly caused no credence to be given it, and only in reply to a cablegram sent by Rev. Father Alphonse that the news was confirmed and received as official. The announcement was from the deceased's sister and stated that letter of detail followed.

The death that has occasioned so widespread sorrow occurred August 27, at Paris, France, the burial occurring the 29th, at his birthplace, Ingrandes. Father Leduc, not having visited his relatives for eighteen years, and in accordance with the advice of the bishop and friends who deemed the necessity of a rest in view of recuperating his failing health, left here some two months ago, but never saw his native place, dying at Paris as above stated.

Father Leduc was a good man, a most devoted disciple in the cause of Christ; he loved his church and not only its people, but those foreign to its denomination and his charitable deeds were without number. Children loved him because of his gentleness, his flock because no only impartial but by reason of his self-sacrifice to their spiritual and oft times temporal wants. Strangers of the church did him honor and admired his sincerity. The death of Father Leduc comes like a shock and is difficult to realize. No granite can commemorate more his memory than the remembrance in their hearts and their prayers by the people of Bay St. Louis.

Want of space prohibits a more extended article and the given of history, a most beautiful one, too, of love, devotion, and self-sacrifice.

The church is heavily draped with the emblematic color of sorrow, this to remain so one month. Monday morning at 9 o'clock there will be a solemn High Mass extraordinary.

RESOLUTIONS OF RESPECT

Whereas, it has been the will of our Almighty Father to call to its eternal rest the soul of Very Reverend Father Henry Leduc, our beloved pastor and friend; now, therefore, be it resolved

That we, in behalf of the entire community of those whose privilege it was to know, love, and admire our lamented friend whose sterling worth, noble and untiring efforts to render spiritual and substantial aid to all of his fellowmen, hereby express our heartfelt sorrow for the loss that Providence has seen fit to afflict us with, and we extend to his relatives and friends and to Rev. Father Alphonse, his assistant and co-worker, our sincerest sympathies.

May the bright and shining example of his gentle character, his charities, his consistent life as a priest and a man ever be before us and emulated by others.

May we show our appreciation of his goodness and kind words by endeavoring so to act, that were he still among us our conduct would still afford him pleasure.

Now though, after a life of unceasing and unselfish toil, his weary body lies wrapt in that peaceful slumber which knows no awakening; though his remains rest in a grave beyond the sea, his memory shall ever live among us.

"But it matters not, so tis said, where the body lies when the soul has fled."

And be it further resolved, That whereas on Monday next, the 27th, at 9 o'clock A. M., a solemn High Mass for the repose of the soul of Very Rev. Father Leduc will be celebrated at the church of Our Lady of the Gulf, out of respect to his memory the merchants and all others are requested to close their places of business during the ceremonies, the board of mayor and aldermen, the county officials, and all citizens irrespective of sect or creed are invited to be present.

E. H. Hoffmann,

F. J. Ladner,

J. A. Breath,

Jos. F. Cazeneuve,

Thos. L. Evans

Richard Mendes,

W. B. Rohmer

Bay St. Louis, Miss. Sept. 23, 1897

Source: Sea Coast Echo 09-25-1897