Alberta-born priest who died under Nazi regime a martyr ascending to sainthood

 

'We are reminded of the faith stories that began here … it shows that holiness can grow from ordinary beginnings'

A Canadian among French Catholic heroes, the Rev. Louis Georges Doumain was born in Cardiff and baptized in Morinville before making his way to France — and eventual martyrdom, standing up for his faith at the hands of the Nazis.

Doumain is one of 51 French citizens — priests, religious personnel, seminarians, and lay faithful — who died suffering hatred for their faith under the Nazi regime in 1944 and 1945.

Beatified in solemn ceremony at Notre-Dame de Paris on Dec. 13, they are collectively known as the Martyrs of the STO (Service du Travail Obligatoire – Compulsory Work Service).

Doumain was born Feb. 7, 1920, to Canadian immigrants. His parents’ decision to leave northern Alberta and return to the Ardeche region in the south of their native France in 1926 meant young Louis would be raised in the shadow of Nazi Germany, in Montpezat and then Nîmes, before setting an early course for the priesthood and entering seminary at Viviers at 16.

Naturalized to France in 1941 while retaining his dual Canadian nationality, he was ordained at 22 and began to teach at a seminary in Annonay.

But in July 1943, he was sent to Compulsory Labour Service at the “Lager Marie” camp in Germany and a chemical plant in Bitterfeld, near Leipzig, according to the website for the Ardeche archdiocese in Viviers.

His religious garb singled him out for torment by his captors.   (more...)

Alberta-born priest who died under Nazi regime a martyr ascending to sainthood