Msgr. Edward T. Gilbert

In the vast expanse of the South-West District of the Society of St. Pius X, there are several outstanding locations: everyone has heard of St. Mary's College, Kansas, site for four years of the district headquarters under Father Hector L. Bolduc, and scene of the Marian Pilgrimage in August every year around the Feast of Our Lady's Assumption, not to mention the year-long events connected with the Academy and College. Just as Archbishop Lefebvre has put Ecône on the map, so Father Bolduc has put St. Mary's on the map. Everyone has heard of Dickinson, Texas, the sleepy little town between Houston and the Gulf Coast, where the constant bustling activity associated with Queen of Angels Chapel and the Angelus Press are in sharp contrast to the placid tranquility of the town itself. This activity should increase even more now that Fr. Bolduc is moving his district headquarters to Dickinson, to allow for expansion of the Academy and College on the campus of St. Mary's. Other spots in the district have been in the news from time to time: St. Vincent's, Kansas City; Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in El Paso, Texas; and a variety of other places where the Archbishop has visited or where other significant things have happened.

One place the Archbishop has never visited is Charlotte, North Carolina, and few will think of it as significant in any way relating to the Society. Yet Charlotte is now a very significant place for the Society, and will long be remembered as the place where Msgr. Edward T. Gilbert died on January 3 of this year. Practically no one outside North Carolina has ever heard of Msgr. Gilbert, since he was an elderly and retired priest of the Diocese of Raleigh, living privately in Charlotte, where the bishop of that diocese, Most Rev. Michael Begley, was a close friend of fifty years. Though on close terms with Bishop Begley and other priests of the Diocese of Raleigh and Charlotte, Msgr. Gilbert differed with them on conditions in the Church of the present day—so much so that when the Society established a chapel in Charlotte over three years ago Msgr. Gilbert gave us strong sympathy and moral support, though unable to say the Tridentine Mass for us by reason of his age and health. On the occasion of my first Mass in Charlotte, it was Ash Wednesday, 1980—Msgr. Gilbert lent his chalice. It was a very impressive work of art, an ordination gift of fifty years earlier.

When I was transferred to the North Carolina missions of the Society, in October, 1981, I was able to see Msgr. Gilbert every two weeks—on the day after Mass in Charlotte. He was my confessor, spiritual director and friend. His direction was marked always with wisdom, patience and great kindness.

He looked back on a distinguished career in the Diocese of Raleigh. He was superintendent of schools for many years. For several years he was pastor of St. Mary's, Goldsboro (the old church downtown), then founding pastor of the new parish, which he named St. Bernadette's, also in Goldsboro. Later, the old parish was closed and the property sold. This is the church which the Society bought in April, 1982, renovated and opened in May, the month of Our Lady. This year we look forward to a visit from Archbishop Lefebvre in April to consecrate this church.

When Msgr. Gilbert heard that his old church was for sale and that the Society had a chance to buy it, he became very interested—even excited. He started praying that we might get it. Fortunately for us, the property was no longer owned by the diocese but rather by a bank, which gave the Historical Fund of North Carolina the right to choose the most appropriate buyer—the one most likely to maintain the historic building in its original condition. Msgr. Gilbert told several of us to hide brown scapulars around the place (we rented it for a couple of weeknight Masses before buying it) and to pray to Our Lady of Mt. Carmel. Msgr. Gilbert also had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Fatima and, as long as he was able, was active in taking the Pilgrim Virgin to homes around Charlotte for Rosary devotions. When the church was finally ours, in April, 1982, it was named Our Lady of Fatima and Mt. Carmel, under his influence, and known for general purposes as Old St. Marys. The Angelus will publish a fuller article on this church later this year.

Msgr. Gilbert disclosed to a few friends that he was remembering the Society in his will. Apparently he had a premonition that he was about to be called to his reward, so he insisted on saying Mass—in Latin, albeit the Novus Ordo, which was as far as he could go according to the regulations in the diocese—on Christmas Day and then on the Sunday immediately following.

His health had deteriorated over the past several months, and he spent some time, on more than one occasion, in the hospital. But no one was seriously worried when he went into the hospital on Sunday, January 2. I happened to be in Charlotte on that day, by way of exception, having rearranged the Mass circuit in order to take a short vacation. On Monday, I was about to call to see when he might receive visitors when instead, I received a call from his doctor, saying he had just died of kidney failure. It was shortly before 3:00 p.m., the hour Our Lord died on the Cross. He was eighty years old.

His will was probated shortly thereafter, and all were amazed to see how generously he had kept his promise. He left $50,000 to the Blue Army, the international organization dedicated to propagating devotion to Our Lady of Fatima. He left $25,000 to the Society under Father Bolduc—plus his extensive private library, his car, typewriter and other office equipment. To Old St. Mary's, Goldsboro, he left $20,000—to be used for renovation or whatever the pastor's discretion dictates. He also left his chalice and relics to Old St. Mary's, stipulating that they should always remain there. He left stipends for a great many Masses to be said: for himself, his parents, his sister and her family and several friends. He specified that they were all to be Latin Tridentine Masses, to be said by priests of the Society of St. Pius X—adding that he was asking these Masses to be said by priests of the Society, since the Latin Tridentine Mass was not permitted to be said by priests of the Diocese of Charlotte. He also remembered generously his housekeeper and her husband, the executors of his will (Bishop Begley and Msgr. Michael O'Keefe, another old friend) and several other personal friends. And friends Msgr. Gilbert had in plenty: several times during my bimonthly visits to him, I would run across someone who had come, sometimes from a great distance, to pay him a call.

Thanks to this great friend and benefactor, the Society has received a resounding note of confidence in itself and in the Latin Tridentine Mass. Msgr. Gilbert leaves behind a shining example of courage in supporting the Society at the risk of opposition from people he held very dear, and of unswerving priestly fidelity to the end of his life. In these days when priests are deserting their posts in record numbers and fewer and fewer are coming forward to take their place, it is inspiring to have an example of a priest who kept with absolute integrity the injunction of Our Lord: Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. May he continue to be active on our behalf, now on a higher plane, as we remember him with love and gratitude. Behold a great priest, who in his day pleased God. May his soul rest and rejoice in the peace he has so richly earned.

Reverend Father William Joseph Boat

Death has also taken Father Boat of St. Louis, Missouri. Father Boat, a native of Wales, was ordained 12 March 1932, in Fribourg, Switzerland.

He died 19 February 1983.

Father Boat, author of six books, had been a contributor to the "Maryfaithful" for many years, and an occasional contributor to many other publications.

On 12 March 1983, he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the holy Priesthood, at Queen of the Holy Rosary Chapel in St. Louis, a chapel of the Society of St. Pius X.

A frequent visitor to this chapel, Father Boat was particularly fond of the school children. He often remarked how pleased he was with the recitation of poems in his honor by the school children.

A solid traditionalist, Father Boat never permitted any compromises regarding the Latin Tridentine Mass. In preparation for his death, he made elaborate and specific requests which included giving Father Hector Bolduc complete charge of the arrangements for his burial and requesting that Father Bolduc celebrate the Requiem Mass. He also requested that the children of Holy Rosary Academy sing hymns, which they did.

At least six Requiem Masses for the soul of Father Boat were celebrated simultaneously at the very hour his funeral Mass was being offered.

Father Boat will be missed by all who knew him. However, we can't help but reflect upon the fact that although he will no longer be amongst us, he will be in a far greater position to assist us.

Traditional Catholics may take comfort from the fact that they now have two more priest friends in heaven, pleading their case before the Throne of Christ, the Eternal High Priest.