Rev. Roger C. Drolet, CSV, died on Thursday, August 16, 2001 in Taipei, Republic of China. Fr. Drolet was born on February 2, 1903 in Kankakee, Illinois to Louis H. and Marie Lecour Drolet.
He graduated from St. Viator High School in Bourbonnais in 1919 and received his A.B. Degree from St. Viator College in 1928. He professed his first vows on August 16, 1924 and pronounced his final vows on June 10, 1933.
He served in Manchukuo, China from 1933-35 and in Ssupingkai from 1935-41, where he was Principal of Oriens High School. During World War II, he returned to Ottumwa, Iowa and then to Bourbonnais and Chicago, where he served as Master of Novices from 1943-48.
Fr. Roger then returned to Kyoto Japan in 1948, where he served as a teacher, Master of Novices and Superior of the Mission until 1956. He was then assigned to the Formosa Viatorian Mission as Superior and served as teacher and Master of Novices in Taichung.
He has resided with the Little Sisters of the Poor from 1978 until the present.
Fr. Cheng, CSV, celebrated the Mass of the Resurrection on Monday the 20th of August, 2001 at the residence. The Bishop of Taichung celebrated a Memorial Mass at the College on the 6th of September, 2001. Fr. Charles Bolser, CSV, Provincial, attended representing the Province of Chicago.
Fr. Drolet was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Brother Joseph A. Drolet, CSV, and Mr. Leon Drolet and two sisters, Genevieve and Madeleine.
I ask each community to remember Father Drolet in your prayers and to gather in your local communities to remember him in Eucharist.
Taken from letter to the Viatorian Community, June 28, 2001, from the Provincial, Rev. Charles G. Bolser, CSV