Africa-Press – Seychelles. Father Gustave Lafortune commemorates his 60th anniversary of priestly ordination this Friday, June 30, 2023.
Aged 86, Father Lafortune, one of the oldest Catholic priests, was ordained on June 30, 1963 in Switzerland and retired in 2015 after 52 years of service in various parishes in the country.
Born in the Cascade District, from childhood he loved being in the church. “I was a child at heart and I loved staying in the church grounds and praying. One day my brother-in-law gave me a prayer book and I liked this book. The sisters of the church also gave me another prayer book that I never left. The Father of the church found it odd that at that age (12 years old) I spent so much time in church and one day he asked me if I wanted to become a priest. It was unimaginable for me, because at that time, there was no Seychellois priest. On my return home, I stopped under a tree and made my decision to become a priest,” Father Lafortune told the Seychelles NATION newspaper.
But life went on for Gustave and he completed his studies at the Cascade primary school. He continued his secondary studies for five years and joined the Minor Seminary. “I then went to Switzerland. But unfortunately I had sinusitis and I had to stop my journey,” he added.
But he didn’t give up. He continued his efforts to become a priest and after his course at the major seminary for five years, he was ordained on June 30, 1963 in Fribourg, Switzerland.
“My mother was very happy with my choice and after my ordination I stayed in Switzerland to serve a few parishes and in December 1964 I returned to the Seychelles. My first mass was on Christmas Day at Cascade,” Father Lafortune recounted.
His assignments
Father Lafortune served the parish of Mont Fleuri for four months, then six months in Plaisance. He was then appointed parish priest in Baie Ste Anne for eight years and began construction of the Anse La Blague Chapel. He also built the parish hall in Baie Ste Anne.
Back in Mahé, he took a leave of absence for at least a year and then assumed the post of parish priest at Anse Royale for 11 years. He will have to take care of the parish of Takamaka for seven years.
Then Father Lafortune became the parish priest of Anse Boileau for 18 and a half years. But for eight years he took care of Port Glaud and Grand Anse. He also held prayers at La Chapelle La Salette.
Father Lafortune returned to Mont Fleuri for four years. After some criticism, he returned to his parish at Cascade for seven years.
He was behind several small constructions in the enclosures of the churches.
He retired in 2015 at the age of 78 and was transferred to the Domus for five years.
“During my service at Cascade, I helped young people and wherever I am, I help the most needy,” Father Lafortune told us.
Father Lafortune is also well known for his contribution to the Catholic magazine L’Echo des Iles for many years and he is widely known for his gospel songs.
He had the opportunity to put on CD some of his old songs that were on tape.
His fondest memories are of helping people. “And I have no bad memories. Of course, on the path of service you encounter challenges, but we rise to those challenges and continue our journey into divine light. Things have happened in my life but I have forgotten them,” he concluded.
Although retired and domiciled in Plaisance, Father Lafortune continues to help and advise people and his last wish is when he dies to bury him with his parents in Cascade
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