Prior Jean Leon (Leo) Gariador, OSB

Prior Jean Leon (Leo) Gariador, OSB

Male 1863 - 1940  (77 years)

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  • Name Jean Leon (Leo) Gariador 
    Title Prior 
    Prefix Prior 
    Suffix OSB 
    Born 13 Feb 1863  Chiloenia, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Jean Leo Gariador birth 1863
    Jean Leo Gariador birth 1863
    Gender Male 
    Other Information 1896 
    He visited Southern California traveling from the Sacred Heart Monastery in Oklahoma with another benedictine monk, possibly his cousin Father Gratian Ardans. 
    • English translation:
      We are pleased to learn that two Benedictine priests are going to visit the region, arriving in California in the middle of July, from the Oklahoma Territory, to spend a few days with us. One of these visitors will be Father Dom Leo Gariador and his companion from the Aldudes. On our part we will do all we can to welcome both priests. And surely the Benedictine Fathers will not overwhelm us in our city, nor even in the beautiful parts of Tehachapi. As a matter of fact, we hope that it is time and not too late to come.
    Aita Leo Gariador Southern California visit article 1896
    Aita Leo Gariador Southern California visit article 1896
    Published in the California'ko Eskual Herria newspaper
    Naturalization 10 Oct 1929 
    Fr. Leo Gariador's U.S. Naturalization document
    Fr. Leo Gariador's U.S. Naturalization document
    Ordained 1888-1940 
    • Father Leo was a Benedictine priest who received his education at Belloc monastery in France. He was ordained in 1887 and was sent to the Oklahoma territory in 1888. He was one of the first Basque benedictines to arrive at Sacred Heart Abbey which was built to convert the Indians to Catholicism. Fr. Leo visited the Basque communities in California as well as other western states and in 1905 was sent to build a monastery in Montebello, CA which was to serve as the base for missionary activities for the Basques living in America. In 1909, he was appointed Prior General at Sacred Heart which position he held until 1922. During his tenure, the monastery established a catholic university called St. Gregory's College which today is known as St. Gregory's University. He continued to live a Sacred Heart until his death. He wrote his diaries primarily in English in a series of little black books from 1888 to 1936 that still exist today in the archives of St. Gregory's Abbey. He died at Sacred Heart Abbey and is buried in their cemetery.
    Died 27 Feb 1940  Shawnee, Oklahoma Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Fr. Leo Gariador's funeral card
    Fr. Leo Gariador's funeral card
    Association Gratian Ardans, OSB (Relationship: Cousins) 
    Person ID I35  family
    Last Modified 9 May 2021 

    Father Jean Gariador,   b. 14 Jan 1814, Chiloenia, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 8 May 1893, Chiloenia, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 79 years) 
    Mother Marianne Ardans,   b. Abt 1827, Ardans/Berhainea, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 27 Jun 1910, Chiloenia, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Married 27 Nov 1849  Chiloenia, Les Aldudes, France Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F5  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Fr. Leo Gariador
    Fr. Leo Gariador
    Fr. Leo with monks at Sacred Heart Abbey in Oklahoma
    Fr. Leo with monks at Sacred Heart Abbey in Oklahoma
    (he is 2nd monk for the left side)
    Gariador, Fr. Leo photo
    Gariador, Fr. Leo photo
    Gariador family Chiloenia (circa 1885)
    Gariador family Chiloenia (circa 1885)

    Documents
    Fr. Leo Gariador
    Fr. Leo Gariador
    Memorial prayer read by monks on anniversary of his death each year.

    Histories
    Our Lady of Lourdes school history
    Our Lady of Lourdes school history

  • Sources 
    1. [S1] AD64 Birth Record, (http://earchives.le64.fr/), Les Aldudes 1863-1872 births page 2.
      http://earchives.le64.fr/img-viewer/FRAD064003_IR0002/ALDUDES/ALDUDES_C_N_1863-1872/viewer.html?ns=FRAD064006_5MI16_1497.jpg

    2. [S1] AD64 Birth Record, (http://earchives.le64.fr/), Les Aldudes 1863-1872 births.