This web site is a memorial to those individuals who were passionate about the reform of the
Roman Catholic liturgy as set forth in Sacrosanctum Concilium (the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy)
and who now, in eternal life, worship the God whom they served in this life.

Eugene A. LaVerdiere, SSS

Eugene A. LaVerdiere, SSS
April 7, 1936 - November 20, 2008


Father Eugene A. LaVerdiere, SSS, a leading American Scripture scholar of the post-Vatican II era and the Senior Editor of Emmanuel magazine, died November 20 at about 12:00 Noon at a nursing home in suburban Cleveland, Ohio, following a prolonged illness.

Two of his siblings, Sister Claudette LaVerdiere, MM, and Brother Gary LaVerdiere, SSS, were with him at the time. He is also survived by a second brother, Peter, of San Diego, California.

Father LaVerdiere wrote extensively on the Gospel of Luke and also on Mark. He loved to say, with a wide smile on his face, "My home is in Luke, but I have a nice condo in Mark!" He published scores of books and articles during a long and distinguished teaching and lecturing career that took him to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and to every part of the United States. A special focus of his study and writing were the various meal narratives in the Gospels and in other New Testament works. His most significant and popular book according to many people was published in 1994 and entitled Dining in the Kingdom of God: The Origins of Eucharist According to Luke. It was published by Liturgy Training Publications in Chicago, IL.

A graduate of the famed École Biblique in Jerusalem, Father Eugene taught at John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio, the Jesuit School of Theology and the Catholic Theological Union, Chicago, and Fordham University, New York City. For many years, until his retirement in 2005, he served as the National Secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union for the Clergy and Religious and as a consultant for mission education of clergy and seminarians for the National Office of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith in New York City, where he collaborated closely with Auxiliary Bishop William J. McCormack.

Prior to moving to Cleveland three years ago, Father LaVerdiere lived at Saint Jean Baptiste Church and served as the local Superior of the Blessed Sacrament Community at Saint Jean's. He was also a Provincial Consultor of the American Province of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and the Director of Formation. His uncle, Father William LaVerdiere, S.S.S., was a popular Pastor of the church from 1944-1958.

The wake will be on Monday, November 24, at Saint Paschal Baylon Church, 5384 Wilson Mills Road, Highland Heights, Ohio, from 3:00-6:00 p.m., followed by the Funeral Mass at 7:00. Burial will be on Tuesday, November 25, and is private for the family and the members of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. A Memorial Mass for Father LaVerdiere will be celebrated at Saint Jean Baptiste Church, 184 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021 (212-288-5082) at a date and time to be determined.

Father LaVerdiere accepted the effects of a debilitating neurological condition with grace and equanimity. Commented many a colleague and friend, "Even in illness he is teaching us." Requiescat in pace, Father Eugene!

Tribute prepared by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Cleveland, OH.