An emptiness has been left in the church of Saint Joseph (Montreal) since the decease of good Father Coulombe. We know that he was 87 years old and that he suffered from several infirmities. But his enthusiasm, his receptiveness and his glowing faith had us believing that he would never leave us. “The good Lord has forgotten me again”, he would say each time that he recovered from a weakness that could have been fatal. We thought that he would recover one more time, just like always. But the Eternal Father had decided to call back to Himself His faithful servant who, in spite of the collapse of Vatican II, still celebrated the Holy Tridentine Mass.

Armand Coulombe was born in Montreal on July 11^th, 1912. His father was in the commercial business and his mother practised teaching before their marriage. He had five brothers and one sister. He studied at the colleges of the Assumption, Holy Mary, and John de Brebeuf (1923-1933) and then entered the Major Seminary of Montreal and was ordained a priest on May 22, 1937. He served as curate in the parishes of Saint Vincent de Paul (Montreal), Saint Paul the Hermit (Le Gardeur), Saint Edward (Montreal), Saint Irénee (Montreal) and Saint Vincent de Paul (Laval). He was chaplain to the League of the Sacred Heart (1958-1962), the Police Force and the Fire Department of Montreal (1960-1962), and the Nocturnal Adoration Group (1963-1975). He also taught catechism in several primary and secondary schools (1958-1975). He retired from diocesan ministry in 1975 and then lived seven years at the Mary-Victorin College of the Marist Brothers.

Around 1982, Father Coulombe developed cancer of the colon and several other illnesses from which he was able to recover. The Jodoin family then had the kindness to take him into their home and to take care of him until his death. He lived on the second floor of their house at Saint Vincent de Paul (Laval). He had a private chapel, a modest bedroom and a large quantity of religious works. It was from there that he exercised his discreet but efficient ministry in the Tradition.

Father Coulombe was keenly aware of the modernist crisis in the Church. He defended the Faith and the traditional liturgy with serenity, keeping a supernatural outlook of the apocalyptic times in which we live. He encouraged us to contemplate things from God’s point of view and to have confidence in the final goodness of His mysterious designs of Providence. After meeting with Father Coulombe, one always returned with an appeased soul and a more loving heart.

Between 1975 and 1983, Father Coulombe celebrated the Mass of Saint Pius V at the Lucien-Pagé and Jean de LaMennais schools. It was the heroic period of the beginnings of Tradition in Quebec. Later he knew of the Society of St. Pius X through the Jodoin family. He perfectly understood Archbishop Lefebvre’s spirit of combat and progressively became affiliated with the Society.

Since 1983, Father Coulombe has been like a curate for the Church of Saint Joseph. He spent hours hearing confessions and celebrated the Mass as often as his health would permit. Because of his age, he genuflected after the consecration with difficulty. But it was edifying to see. One sensed the profoundness of a priestly soul that lived only for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. In the confessional, Father Coulombe knew how to find words to encourage and uplift the penitent. What is more, young priests of the Society could count on his experience and his dedicataion.

The spirituality of Father Coulombe lies in his confidence and abandonment. When a distressed soul came to consult him, he liked to say: “Stop looking at yourself and look at Me” (speaking for Our Lord). The Curé of Ars was his favourite saint, and Father Lacouture his master of spirituality. He had a special devotion to the Miraculous Medal.

Father Coulombe always kept a good sense of humour. When one asked him if he regretted never having been a “Curé” (pastor of a parish) he answered that, at any rate, he was “incurable”. He often told the story of the repentant robber who had to construct the Stations of the Cross as a penance. The following week he came back to ask the confessor what he was supposed to do with the rest of the stolen wood. “O my God”, Father Coulombe would say, “I do not ask you for money. I only ask you to always place near me someone who has some.” After the fashion of the holy Curé of Ars, he called the Old Enemy “Arthur”.

Father Coulombe’s last moments were edifying. He abandoned himself to Divine Providence with the same patience he was noted for during all his life. Several hours before his death, he received a visit from his old friend, Father Henri Saey, who also celebrates the Mass of Saint Pius V. On May 10^th, 2000, Father Coulombe entered upon the Path which leads to Life, promising to pray for us. Since that day, we can be assured that he is even more near to our souls.