Father Honoratus Bourion, Menominee, Michigan (1840-1902)

The subject of this sketch was born in the diocese of St. Die, France, June 1, 1840. He finished his course of philosophy and part of that of theology in Paris. His uncle Rev. Sebastian Duroc, who was pastor at Waverille, diocese of Verdun, department de la Meuse, made the acquaintance of Bishop Baraga in 1853 and through his invitation came to America in 1856. Four years later his nephew followed him. Being accepted as student of the diocese, he was sent for one year to the Cincinnati Seminary for the purpose of learning the language of the country as well as for finishing theology. On account of scarcity of priests Honoratus was ordained, with apostolic dispensation, at the age of twenty one, on December 1, 1861.

Retained at the Cathedral at the Sault, Father Bourion did parish work until May 1, 1862. At his own request he was sent to Negaunee to establish a new parish which he carried out very well. In 1868 he commenced the building of the new St. Paul’s church, and a year later that of St. John’s in Ishpeming. This
undertaking involved him in considerable indebtedness and at the attempt of clearing it. his health broke down and on March 18, 1871, Bishop Mrak gave him permission temporarily to leave the diocese. He went to Central City, Colorado, where his uncle held a parish, and after the return of the latter to France in 1873, succeeded him in his charge. In 1877 he removed to Bellefontaine, Ohio.

The Third Plenary Council laid down certain laws about the incardination of priests. Not to lose the prestige in his diocese by limitation of time Father Bourion returned to Marquette and was given the St. John’s parish at Ishpeming. He remained there from February 17, 1889, till August 1890 when he was transferred to Iron Mountain. Losing his church bv fire he commenced building a new one but was removed to Menominee, in June 1893, before he could finish it.

In Menominee ran the last chapter ot Father Bourion’s life. His labors were mixed up with a good deal of sickness, from which he seemed to rally in the summer of 1890. On October 28th he attended in St. Paul, Minn., the consecration of Father Stariha, one of his former assistants in Negaunee, as a bishop; on his way home he contracted pneumonia and died in the morning of All Saints, 1902. His remains were buried in the public cemetery aside of those of his brother, the Rev. Alcide N. Bourion, a priest of the archdiocese of Cincinnati. Father Bourion was as able as he was ambitious. For years he was a dean and besides held the offices of consultor and procurator fiscalis. May he rest in peace!

Antoine Ivan Rezek, History of the Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie and Marquette: Containing a Full and Accurate Account of the Development of the Catholic Church in Upper Michigan (Houghton, MI: Diocese of Marquette, 1906), 390-392.