Toward the end of Pius XII’s pontificate (1939-58), Latin America surfaced as a major concern within the Church. It was a huge territory, most of its population was Catholic by baptism but it lacked priests and ecclesial leaders. The Pope called upon the global Church to come to its aid.
A papal nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Antoniutti, floated the idea of novitiates around the world aimed at recruiting and training missionaries to serve Catholic Latin America. Father Armand LeBourgeois, the Eudist Superior General, heard the idea and was interested.
In 1960, Father Joseph Herbreteau, a French Eudist who had worked in South America for fifteen years, was sent to Spain to investigate. He proposed founding an apostolic school in Leon, Spain, where the diocese was receptive to a Eudist presence. In late 1961, the General Council voted to buy a property called "La Fontana" from the Salesians. The decision was not without objections, primarily based on lack of human and financial resources.
Where was the young John Howard during all this? Having just completed classical studies in Bathurst (1960), he was at the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur, a Eudist formation house in Quebec City (1961).
In April 1962, a letter from Father Herbreteau came to Father Antoine Gaudreau, who was superior of the Seminary of Charlesbourg (the letter has been kept in the Provincial Archives). It was an invitation for Eudist pastors and school directors to sponsor students in the new program through scholarships.
In September 1962, John Howard, a second-year philosophy student, wrote to Father Herbreteau: "Father Gaudreau assigned me to assist ‘The Eudist Missions.’ Our first goal is to help Catholic Latin America through financial support of the novitiate in Spain." From his very first service to the Church abroad, we can see an important trait of John's personality and initiative that will be evident throughout his life of ministry.
Further correspondence between him and the superior in Spain is of interest because of the ideas he lays out for sparking enthusiasm in possible benefactors.
It was a complete development plan. One key opportunity was the annual retreat for Eudist superiors taking place in Halifax. Young John recruited Father Gaudreau himself, his own superior, to pitch the idea of "scholarships" to the retreatants. Many pledged to contribute, but to ensure follow-up on their pledges, they would be contacted again the following month.
"Then, to reach the students in our schools... I met with the priests in charge of campus ministry in our schools... Next, I have on my desk an article to be published in our magazine ‘Apostolat Eudiste.’ We would like to get photos from you to accompany this article as soon as possible. Also in the works are flyers describing the city, the region, etc. to be distributed during our Mission Day in September. "
Lastly, another idea to encourage participation: an exchange of postage stamps between young collectors in Eudist schools and among the students at "La Fontana."
In his letter of November 4th, 1962, Father Herbreteau wrote to "Brother John": "You are doing well in this business and... I am delighted... Your initiative for ‘The Eudist Missions’ is the largest contributor to our foundation.” Brother John continued his monthly correspondence with the new apostolate’s superior, accompanying each letter with a small list of donations: $50, $100, $200. He included the names and addresses of each donor, so the superior in Spain could write personally to thank them, creating a personal link which encouraged further support.
This is a simple example from documents in the Provincial Archives, but how familiar it is! Who could fail to recognize the selfsame dedication and methods he employed in larger, later projects like Mission Circle, Esperanza, as consultant for Our Lady of Charity, and support for Eudist vocations.
He and I were ordained on the same day, December 30, 1967, and I thank Our Lord for his life.
Gilles Ouellet, Provincial Superior
