GROUARD, BISHOP EMILE, O.M.I.
b. 1840-02-02 Brulon, Sarthe, FRANCE
ordaine priest - 1842-05-03 Boucherville, QC
sacred bishop - 1891-08-01 St-Boniface, MB
d. 1931-03-07 Grouard, AB
BISHOP GROUARD -------------------------------- 50 years ago
"On August 9th, 1981, a commemorative ceremony was held in Grouard. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of Bishop Grouard's passing in 1931. An impressive religious ceremony was held in the historic cemetery with his grace Henri Légaré officiating. The reception was where the Bishop's house stood in Bishop Grouard's lifetime. It is a beautiful setting on the hill overlooking Buffalo Bay, a panorama not easily forgotten if you have ever lived in Grouard. and one that visitors admire to-day. The blessing of the food by the chief, the testimonies given to Bishop Grouard by the elders, the varied native ritual, all combined by a beautiful warm summer day, provided the intimation that maybe, in our hurried life style and our intense preoccupation with material things. we are missing some of the tangible values of those bygone days and what life is really all about.
I am most grateful to Falher Jacques Johnson for having given me the opportunity to rub elbows with some of the people who touched our lives long ago in those formation years, and would like to add to the testimonies given on that day.
Lives of great men all remind us that we can make our lives sublime, and departing, leaving behind us footsprints in the sands of time.
BISHOP GROUARD WAS SUCH A MAN!
I got to know Bishop Grouard quite well when I attended the mission boarding school in 1918. I had the priviledge of serving mass for him occasionally during the school term. As an eleven-year-old boy, what struck me most forcibly about the venerable giant with the white beard was his great humility, his concern for all who came under his guidance and his deep sense of righteousness, and also the fact that he wore moccasins or mukluks no matter what the occasion.
Bishop Grouard was an artist, carpenter, boatbuilder, writer, publisher, printer, architect but most of all he was humanist. His greatest concern was for the native people and the needy, regardless of race, creed, or nationality in the great northland. He spoke seven or eight languages, he was knowledgeable and wise in the ways of men. His most eloquent sermons were not preached from the pulpit but were the example he gave in the service of God and his fellow men.
He served as missionary to the most demanding period of our time. when hunger, cold, privation and isolation were the order of the day. He was sometimes referred to as the vagabond bishop and his wide ranging travels are often mentioned in the history books, of the great northland. Once when approached by a journalist who, in his enthusiasm, tried to put words in his mouth about the perils encountered in his travels, this did not sit well with the good Bishop and he dismissed him with these simple words: "That part of my endeavours I have always entrusted to God and my Indian guide, and neither of them has ever let me down.
The winter of 1918-19 brought the Spanish Flu. It is impossible to describe the suffering, the grief, and unforgetable wailing of women at grave side especially, at the loss of loved ones, and the desolation that this epidemic brought amongst the native people. Bishop Grouard who was 78-years-old at the time, went cabin to cabin comforting, encouraging, distributing food and what medicine was available, administering the last rites when required, many a blanket did he pull over unseeing eyes. He organized burials and these were numerous and every day occurence during the epidemic. Everyone that was physically able, help with the burials. The numerous dogs had not been fed for some time, and a number of them became a menace, It was necessary to carry a stick if you venture out any distance. There were the occasional gruesome scenes nevertheless.
Like all the great men, Bishop Grouard had a sense of humour. On this occasion he was visiting the newly arrived Sisters of Providence at Wabasca. Needless to say their new quarters were rather primitive and sister Turbuce, who was in charge expressed her distress over the fact that they had to go to mass and communion in the morning without having washed or brushed their teeth because the water was frozen. The Bishop reassured her and told her he was in the same predicament. "In fact", he said "I have not been able to change my shirt since All Saints Day, November 1st". And we are now in the month of March.".exclaimed sister Tiburce. His parting message to the sisters on that occasion went something like this. "I am so pleased with you sisters that I do not ask God to make you better, but to keep you just the way you are"
Bishop Grouard's principle of never saying anything he did not mean, was well illusttrated one day. A sister (who we will call Sister X) had accompanied Sister General on a visit of northern missions, sang a solo during the Bishop's mass. Her powerful voice had shaken the rafters of the little chapel, and also ticked the ribs of the native students who could not control their giggles. Her voice was what the good bishop considered theatrical, and therefore not to his liking. While serving breakfast, Sister Superior informed him that it was Sister X who had sung so beautifully, the bishop remained silent. Realizing that an answer was expected, the bishop commented in his usual truthful way, "she sang with great courage" Needless to say, Sister Superior understood.
Another anecdote that typifies Bishop Grouard, on the occasion he was walking back to the mission with the sergeant of the R.C.M.P. and his wife, the bishop and the sergeant had assisted a mother in amputating the leg of her trapper son, who had accidently fallen into a bear trap. It had been such a gruesome scene, and the strength and the determination of the remarkable woman had impressed them so that not much was said until they reached the sergeant's cabin. "It was good of you sergeant" said the bishop "to put the boy's mind to rest, but you have cut out a big job for hourself, looking after his stock."
"All in the line of duty, article 37 section C in the mounties handbook of regulations". answered the sergeant."Anyway he added "you're the one who has taken on the biggest job, making his wooded leg."
"Are you really going to do it yourself Bishop?"
"Oh yes," answered the Bishop, "all in the line of duty, see the gospel according to St. Matthews, chapter 25. verse 40". Bishop Grouard smiled at them and walked on.
That evening after the supper things were cleared away, while the sergeant was out doing chores, his wife got down the book of regulations her husband had mentioned. She finally closed it with a smile, there was no section 37 C. There was still another book she wanted to look into. She got the bible and opened it, there was a chapter 25, in the gospel of St. Matthews and a verse 40. It read: "In as much as we have done it unto one of the least of these my breathen, we have done it unto me".
Father Calais, who was a man of a few words, while in a talkative mood one day, recounted that Bishop Grouard had indeed made the wooden leg, and that the young man made good use of it. At one time, he had taken if off and treatened the sergeant with it. The reason? That Worthy did not accept a cow in payment for having taken care of his stock while he was incapacitated. The issue was resolved amicably, I should say. The sergeant got half a cow. the young man fed and stabled the cow, the sergeant did the milking and got half the milk. Such was the metal that these hardy pioneers were made of.
written by Honoré Maisonneuve, 1988
M. Maisonneuve who wrote this article has only a grade 8 education. Nevertheless, he read and wrote much in his life even to the day before his death. He often spoke highly of Bishop Grouard. This article was published in a cultural magazine.
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