Fr Malcolm de Verteuil

Diocesan priest Fr Malcolm de Verteuil died on Wednesday, October 10,  at the age of 76. His Funeral Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Assumption on Monday, October 15. Archbishop Gilbert was the chief celebrant and there were close to 50 priests who concelebrated.

Fr Michael Makhan pays tribute to a holy priest who served with humility and compassion as Archdiocesan Treasurer, judge of the Marriage Tribunal, parish priest, spiritual advisor (Legion of Mary, Carmelite Tertiaries), and confessor to many of his fellow priests.

I am still trying to come to terms with the passing of my dear priest-friend, Fr Malcolm de Verteuil. He was my confessor and confidant for 40 years. I recognised in him even from our seminary days, that “Uncle Mal” as I affectionately called him would be a holy priest.

And that indeed he was. I do not think Malcolm would have liked to have a eulogy or a long obituary in the Catholic News, but I felt I needed to share with readers some thoughts about him.

Malcolm came from a large devout Catholic family and as a young man, gave up a lucrative job in the insurance industry before entering the Seminary.

Although he was three years after me in the Seminary, I quickly recognised in him someone with a genuine vocation and one who sought sanctity. He took a keen interest in his studies, worked hard at his books and had a great liking for Canon Law and Church history especially.

He enjoyed a good game of barefoot football. The beautiful Gregorian chant taught by the Benedictine monks fascinated him with spiritual joy. Whenever he and I went out together, we sang the pieces of the chant, which we had learnt by heart.

Fr Malcolm was meant to be a priest, a holy priest, happy in his vocation. He captured the joy of his pastoral work in the parishioners he served in Pointe-à-Pierre, Marabella, Claxton Bay, San Rafael, Talparo, Mundo Nuevo, Las Lomas and in his latter years, Casablanca Village in Cascade.

On Saturdays he took the Eucharist to the sick. He applied his skills in accounting to his work in the Chancery ensuring that all the parishes would be self-sufficient in money matters.

“Uncle Mal” was always a good listener, thorough fair to all, a good advisor, confessor and a confidant to many people, clerical and lay. He was so down-to-earth, practical, deeply quietly religious. His charming smile could convert even unbelievers. Like St John Vianney, his holiness attracted.

For many years Fr Malcolm had to do Church business in the Caribbean region and to present the financial status of the archdiocese to the authorities in Rome. Every time he left Rome he also visited the shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France, and that on twelve occasions.

Fr Malcolm told me that at Lourdes, he particularly prayed for vocations, for his family members and for the works of the Church. In spite of his illness, which laid him low for more than two years, he prayed the Divine office and celebrated Mass every day at his family home in Maraval, sometimes sitting at the small table-altar near his bed.

Whenever people went to visit him, they all attested that he never complained. He never gave up hope, although he knew that he would not recover.

Knowing this priestly son of the Church was an inestimable treasure. His gentleness touched everyone. What a blessing he was to the Church.

For 40 years he served. He baptised hundreds, preached with sincerity and fervour and it was quite clear that here was a man who loved God, the Church and is Blessed Mother.

We thank also his pious parents, who gave such a beautiful son to the Church. His life will always been an inspiration to me.