St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-12-27
Rev. Francois Abadie.

In our last issue we noticed the death
of this pious man, but at the time of
writing it, we were not in possession of
any data upon which to base any
further observations. Since then a
friend has furnished us with some, and
we now incorporate them in this little
sketch.
Father Francois Abadie was born in
France, A. d. 1909, and was So years old
when he passed away. For ffty-tive
years he otficiated as a Priest, having
united himself with the society of
Jesus, ten years before he preached. He
left Franco and came to Grand Coteau,
about the year 1885, and exerted HIM
self in the incorporation and establish
ment of the grand old College at that
place. The entire time to the hour of
his death, was devoted to the best in
terest of that institution. Full of encr-
gy and zeal for his church, he labored
continuously in the great cause Of learn
ing and religion, down to the time of
his death. He had passed the three
score years and ten, by nearly ten years,
but he kept on the armor of the Mill
tant Christian soldier, and stood like a
faithful sentinel on the walls of Zion
until few hours before tho vital spark
went ont. The hand of atfliction was
not laid upon him. God saw proper not
to PROSTATE him through the instrument
lality of disease, but took him hence
when age had exhausted the oil, in his
lamp. He never courted the applause
of men but contented himself by the
consciousness of duty to God. We may
justly say he was an Ionian column
under both the church and the college
which we fear will be much missed in
the future history of both, at Grand
Coteau.
After death the body was exposed in
the church of the Sacred Heart, that his
many devoted friends might look for the
last time, upon it. They attended in
great numbers and wept for the dead,
as the Divine services were conducted
from that altar he had occupied from
time to time through SO many long
years.
A high Requiem Mass was eung-the
Rev. father Begles officiating. Rev.
father I. j. Kennedy, the President of
the College, preached a funeral sermon
full of brotherly love, and true elo-
quencc. He spoke of his leaving his
dear old home for one among strangers,
in the most joyous years of his vigorous
manhood. Of his earnest desire to
teach the sublime plan of salvation to
SHINING men. He spoke of his duties
to his society-his careful obedience to
all its rules. He described him as
glorious son of st. Ignatias, Ga disciple
of st. JohD), a true and faithful shep-
herd of the people, whose meekness,
earnest christianity and uuobtrusive
piety caused him to be loved and vener-
ated, not only by the church, but by all
men who knew him. His peroraton
was touching and many wept. His re-
mains were carried to the Roman Catho-
lie cemetery. The Brass band going
before. followed by the College students
in we'll formed ranks. Then came the
who had so often listened
to his adm onitions. We think with the
Poet,
"Oft may the spirits of the deal descend
To watch the silent ISLANDERS of q friend
To hover round his evening walk unseen,
And hold sweet converse on the drlsky green,
To hail the spot where first their friendship
grew.
And heaven and nature, opened to their view,
Oft when he times his cheerful hearth, and
secs,
A smiling circle emulous to please
There may these gentle guests-dclieht to
dwell,
And bless the scene they loved in life so we'll,