The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-05-12
Very Rev. G. Raymond.

Very Rev. G. Raymond.
The many friends of this eminent ecclesias-
tic will be happy to hear that he has consented
to take short respite from the arduous labors
of his position, as senior Vicar General of this
Archdiocese, and that he will leave here next
Wednesday, 18th inst, for Europe, by way of
Baltimore He will he absent five or six
months, part of which time he will spend with
his friends and relatives in France.
Father Raymond 3 career as priest has been
80 lopg and go eventfnl, and he is so widely
known and respected for his talents and self
sacrificing zeal that we feel sure short sketch
Of his life will prove of general interest. For
this reason we have taken extra pains to collate
the facts, after the Very Rev. Father. in his
great modesty, had refused to give them to us,
because, he said, they could not interest any
body and he didn't wish to be written about
in the papers.
Very Rev Gabriel Ray mond as born on the
18th Of November, 1909 at Aigueperse Canton
of Aigueperse, department de Puy de Dome,
Anvergne, which was also the birthplace OF
the poet De Lisle, the translator of Virgil
during the reign Of Louis XIV. and OF Rouher,
the present great leader Of the Bonapartists.
Father Rsymond's early studies were pursued
in a private school, after leaving which he
went to the Royal College in Clermont, where
he graduated with distinguished honors. He
then entered the theological seminary in tie
same place and, having been raised four years
later to the sub.diaconate, went TO St. Snl pine
where he completed his studies and was
ordained priest on the Gath of May, 1884, with
the in pteutiQn of deyoting his life to the mis-
sions in Chinu.
His sn periors, however, had decided to send
him to Canada, but circumstances arising at
the time which demanded the services of a pro-
fessor Of theology at Lyons, he wac chosen to
fill that important position, being then only
twenty five years of age. He remained in
Lyons three ears, at the end of which time,
1887, he was sent to st. Marys Seminary, Bal
timore, to take the place of the Superior, who
was very i'll. Father Raymond actually bore
with him sealed letters appointing him to the
position in tho event CT the death of the
Superior, which was then daily expected. He
was some years later appointed President of
the Seminary.
Father Raymond remained in Baltimore
thirteen years, always occupying positions of
great responsibility. Besides fulfilling the
NuII0s OI MS cuuCo, Ao " ds SNoE EehuS
to undertake new works, and st. Charles Col
lege, on the domain of Charles Carroll Of Car
rollton, stands to-day a monument Of his
ZEAL for he established it and was its first
President. He also, we think, materially as
sisted in the establishment of the Baltimore
Mirror
After residence Of thirteen years in Balti-
more he was recalled to France and for three
years filed honorable positions in Anglers
which is the birthplace of our venerable Aroh-
bishop and in Autun. At this time, having
conceived the idea of forming new community
peculiarly adapted for labor in this country
Father Raymond left the Sulpicians and,
with number of Jealous young men, came to
the Archdiocese OF New Orleans in 1853 or
1854. They established themselves in the
Opelousas country, but unforeseen and insur-
mountable obstacles presenting themselves
the community was gradually dissolved. ALI
the young gentlemen who accompanied Father
Ray mond became Priests. They were assign
ed to duty at different points, and several con
gregatlons in the Diocese arc indebted to this
movement for the excellent pastors who now
govern them. Father Raymond himself was
appointed Pastor of the town of Opelousas,
where he worked with his usual untiring zeal
till 1866, when he was called to New Orleans
by Aroh bishop Odin, of blessed m emory, to suo-
ceed the venerable Father Rousselon, then in
falling health, as Vicar General. In this posi-
tion he was retained by His Grace, the Most
Rev. N. J. Perohe, and has continued to fill it
to this day with eminent seal.
The prayers and good wishes of the whole
community will follow him throsgh his
voyage.