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Saint Stanislaus College
Page 2 of 3
labors were highly appreciated. He became greatly beloved by all classes of Catholics and Protestants, and it was with sincere regret they were called to part with him; but the rigors of an inclement season so seriously impaired his health that his physicians ordered him to seek a milder climate before the inroads of disease should make sad havoc with strength and life.
_True and earnest in his vocation, the young missionary came to southern Mississippi, there to supply a long-felt need, for at that time no resident priest was to be found along the whole Gulf Coast nearer t^fan Mobile, apd the few Catholics remained unprovided with religious ministrations during an entire year At Easter one was sent to administer the sacraments to the almost benighted children of the church, who at other times were without a shepherd to gather the straying lambs into one fold and to bestow upon their hungry souls the Bread of Life.
?_Father Buteux came to Bay St. Louis in the year 1847, and there is a record of baptism performed by him in September of the same year. He came to uprear the standard of Christ among the poor, the illiterate, the forsaken; and as he cast his eyes around no glittering cross saluted them, speaking to his soul as it did to Constantine, "In this sign conquer." What a field for labor! But was the heart of the young missionary filled with misgivings in view of his task, mightier by far than the fabled labors of Hercules?
_He found shelter and protection in the home of one of the most deservedly respected and honored citizens of the Bay, Mr. John B. Toulme, himself a descendent of France.
_There was no church, but a room in the old, delapidated Court House was fitted up with appropriate belongings and there Mass was said, until, through the tireless energy of the good priest and generous aid of J. B, Toulme and D. R. Walker, who furnished lumber from the mills, with such zealous ladies as Mrs. Thomas Layton, Mrs. D. R. Walker, and Mrs. Hincks who promoted the holding of several fairs to collect funds for the same good cause, the Catholic church, Our Lady of the Gulf, became an assured fact; though not of its present size and appearance, yet neat and suitable for the small congregation that gathered within its walls some fifty-three years ago. And who shall say that Mr. Toulme and family were not rewarded by especial blessings from Divine Providence for their generosity to the minister of God? In proof of which may be mentioned an incident which occurred years afterward.
_The Rev. Father Buteux was returning from France having on shipboard among other passengers the nurse and grandchild of John B. Toulme. A violent storm arose, and the vessel sprung a leak, threatening destruction to all. In the midst of confusion and dismay the Reverend priest bowed humbly upon his knees and invoked the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, promising to erect a shrine in her honor if their lives should be spared. His prayers were granted, and lo! how faithfully his vow was fulfilled, for in the rear of St. Joseph Convent stands "Our Lady of the Woods," a sacred memorial of Father Buteux's devotion to the Blessed Virgin and grateful remembrance of his benefactor.
_The "Good Priest," as he was called, loved little children, and bearing in mind the Blessed Saviour's admonition to "Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not, for such is the kingdom of Heaven," he devoted much thought and labor to provide them with schools and teachers.
_He made arrangements with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, and three of them came to the
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7/30/2007