The 60th anniversary Mass in memory of Charlene Richard, known to many as “The Little Cajun Saint,” will be held tomorrow, August 9, at 6 p.m. at St. Edward Church in Richard.
Msgr. Curtis Mallet of the Diocese of Lafayette will serve as celebrant.
Richard died at the age of 12 on August 11, 1959, due to complications from acute lymphatic leukemia. While suffering from her symptoms, she would constantly offer sufferings to God on behalf of other people especially those who asked for her prayers.
At the time of her treatment at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, Fr. Joseph Brennan, who later became pastor at Our Lady Queen of All Saints in Ville Platte said, “I see Charlene as a witness for people of all ages to the power of resignation and acceptance of God’s will. She wasn’t different in any way except that when the crisis came in her life - and it came very early - she accepted it with faith and trust and love.”
Richard is buried in the church cemetery, and a countless number of people flock to her gravesite to ask for her continued prayers and intercessions. Many healings have been attributed to such intercessory efforts which lead to an effort within the local Catholic church to officially canonize her as a saint.
Past celebrants of the mass have been Fr. Mitch Guidry, pastor of OLQAS, and Bishop Douglas Deshotel of the Diocese of Lafayette.
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TONY MARKS Editor