Celebrating the life of
Bishop Raymond W. Lessard
December 21, 1930 - January 03, 2016
Bishop Raymond W. Lessard, 85, Bishop Emeritus of Savannah, died January 3 at his residence in Boynton Beach, Florida. Bishop Lessard served as Catholic Bishop of Savannah for 22 years from 1973 to 1995.
When health reasons made it difficult for him to travel the 37,000 square miles of the Diocese, he retired as Bishop of Savannah and began almost 20 years of service as a spiritual director and professor of ecclesiology at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach.
Born in Oakwood, North Dakota, Bishop Lessard was ordained to the priesthood at the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Italy in 1956. He served as priest-secretary to Cardinal Aloisius Muench, former bishop of Fargo, North Dakota in the Vatican Curia. After the Cardinal’s death, he was named assistant superior of the North American College Graduate House.
He had the distinction of attending all of the sessions of the Second Vatican Council in Rome from 1962 to 1965 as a theological advisor to Fargo Bishop Leo F. Dworschak. From 1964 to 1973 he was assigned to the staff of the Vatican’s Sacred Congregation for Bishops.
Pope Paul VI named him the 12th Bishop of Savannah during a Consistory at the Vatican in 1973. He was ordained as Bishop at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah by Archbishop Thomas A. Donnellan of Atlanta. Just 42, he was the youngest bishop in the U.S. at the time.
As Bishop, he appointed one of the first female Chancery Administrators in the nation, re-established a Permanent Diaconate, established a Youth Ministry Office, established a Diocesan Communications Commission, began a migrant ministry program, oversaw repair of the Cathedral after it was closed in 1984 due to structural instability and brought the Cathedral in line with the new liturgical norms of Vatican II. He established the Diocesan Archives, opened the Cause for Canonization of the Georgia Martyrs, invited major theologians to speak at an annual Theology Seminar, began “A Heart Renewed”, a three-year program of spiritual renewal, and ordained the first African-American priest for the Diocese.
He served as co-chairman of the Anglican-Roman Catholic Consultation in the United States from 1977-1984. During his years as bishop, the Diocese grew from 35,000 Catholics worshipping in 42 parishes and 29 missions over 37,000 square miles of South Georgia to 68,000 Catholics in 53 parishes and 27 missions.
Bishop Lessard was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Angeline Lessard of Grafton, North Dakota. He is survived by his sister, Evelyn Smith of Longview, Washington, and several nieces and nephews.
A Visitation will be held at St. Vincent de Paul Seminary at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 9. Savannah Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer will celebrate a Memorial Mass at the seminary at 12 noon.
Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, January 11 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah. An Evening Prayer Service including the Office for the Dead will be held at 7 p.m. at the Cathedral.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 noon on Tuesday, January 12 at the Cathedral. Bishop Hartmayer will be main celebrant; Bishop Emeritus J. Kevin Boland will be homilist. Bishop Lessard will be buried in the Bishops’ Lot at the Catholic Cemetery in Savannah.
Memorials in Bishop Lessard’s name may be made to the: Priests’ Retirement Fund, Catholic Pastoral Center, 2170 E. Victory Drive, Savannah, GA 31404.
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
My 6th grade class was the first of many confirmed by Bishop Lessard shortly after arriving in Savannah. I remember he showed me the humanity of those called to the Lord when he confessed that he was probably more nervous than we must have been since he was new on the job! Bishop Lessard was a part of so many confirmation, graduations and more in my family and he always remembered my name when seeing me at an event or service. I thank Bishop Lessard's family for sharing him with us as our shepherd. Eternal rest to Bishop Lessard and all those who served the Lord and gave up so much of their own lives to enrich our own Catholic faith.
- Josie Murphy, Savannah, GA
Our prayers and condolences to the members of Bishop Lessard's family, as well as a thank-you for sharing him with all of us for so many years. He is an exceptional example of brilliance combined with the ability to touch people with his faith and humanity.
- Chris and Jackie Lyons, Warner Robins, GA
Bishop Raymond Lessard ordained me to the priesthood 38 years ago and took our diocese through some of the most tumultuous times of growth that we have known. We stumbled through them together, not without getting ruffled, as pilgrims working together for the kingdom of God. I am grateful for the many blessings he brought to our diocese in those years of attempting to implement Vatican II. It was not easy and we were not easy on him. His ministry at the seminary, after retirement, speaks for itself: he taught and inspired many young men to love the church and serve with dedication. We are deeply grateful to his family for the gift of their brother to the Church of Savannah. "Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord..."
- Fr. Bob Cushing, Waycross, , GA
I got to know Bishop Lessard as a Parishioner of Holy Cross, Pembroke. He spent many occasions with us and our "troika" sister parishes of Claxton and Glennville. Not only was he a Friend but a great teacher. He was also a good listener. Now he has eternity with the Angels ministering to and with him on "The Other Side".
- Mrs. J. Wesley Barbee, Pooler Catholic Community, GA
I am so sorry for you loss....Bishop Lessard was a huge part of my childhood..he confirmed me at Blessed Sacrament Church and handed me my high school diploma from St. Vincent's..he was truly a blessing to all of us in the Catholic church..
- Annette Cleary, Savannah, GA
My prayers are for the happy repose of the soul of Bishop Raymond Lessard. He was a wonderful shepherd and leader in the Diocese of Savannah. My condolences to his family and the priests and religious who also knew and loved him.
- Lisa Luckett, Savannah, GA
My 6th grade class was the first of many confirmed by Bishop Lessard shortly after arriving in Savannah. I remember he showed me the humanity of those called to the Lord when he confessed that he was probably more nervous than we must have been since he was new on the job! Bishop Lessard was a part of so many confirmation, graduations and more in my family and he always remembered my name when seeing me at an event or service. I thank Bishop Lessard's family for sharing him with us as our shepherd. Eternal rest to Bishop Lessard and all those who served the Lord and gave up so much of their own lives to enrich our own Catholic faith.
- Josie Murphy, Savannah, GA
Our prayers and condolences to the members of Bishop Lessard's family, as well as a thank-you for sharing him with all of us for so many years. He is an exceptional example of brilliance combined with the ability to touch people with his faith and humanity.
- Chris and Jackie Lyons, Warner Robins, GA
Bishop Raymond Lessard ordained me to the priesthood 38 years ago and took our diocese through some of the most tumultuous times of growth that we have known. We stumbled through them together, not without getting ruffled, as pilgrims working together for the kingdom of God. I am grateful for the many blessings he brought to our diocese in those years of attempting to implement Vatican II. It was not easy and we were not easy on him. His ministry at the seminary, after retirement, speaks for itself: he taught and inspired many young men to love the church and serve with dedication. We are deeply grateful to his family for the gift of their brother to the Church of Savannah. "Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord..."
- Fr. Bob Cushing, Waycross, , GA
I got to know Bishop Lessard as a Parishioner of Holy Cross, Pembroke. He spent many occasions with us and our "troika" sister parishes of Claxton and Glennville. Not only was he a Friend but a great teacher. He was also a good listener. Now he has eternity with the Angels ministering to and with him on "The Other Side".
- Mrs. J. Wesley Barbee, Pooler Catholic Community, GA
I am so sorry for you loss....Bishop Lessard was a huge part of my childhood..he confirmed me at Blessed Sacrament Church and handed me my high school diploma from St. Vincent's..he was truly a blessing to all of us in the Catholic church..
- Annette Cleary, Savannah, GA
My prayers are for the happy repose of the soul of Bishop Raymond Lessard. He was a wonderful shepherd and leader in the Diocese of Savannah. My condolences to his family and the priests and religious who also knew and loved him.
- Lisa Luckett, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
