Father Charles Saunders, CM

1904–2005

Contributed by Father Ray Van Dorpe, CM

Father Charlie Saunders, CM, was born to John and Molly Saunders in Cumberland, Iowa on August 11, 1904. At that time, not even a year had passed since the Wright brothers’ achievement at Kitty Hawk, the first underground line of the New York City subway had opened and the World’s Fair was in full swing in St. Louis.

Saunders entered the Congregation of the Mission later than most, at the age of 32, and was ordained in 1943, shortly before he turned 39 years old. His first assignments were to parishes in Los Angeles, New Orleans, La Salle (Illinois), Chicago and St. Louis.

In 1959, doctors discovered that Fr. Saunders had a brain tumor. Given a choice of treatments available at the time, he decided on surgery, which successfully removed the tumor. But, he was never again quite the same. He was sent to St. Vincent de Paul Sem­inary in Lemont to recover, and perhaps find some work filling in for parish priests on vacation. But his mental and physical limitations prevented him from doing much public ministry. In 1968, Fr. Saunders was sent to St. Mary’s of the Barrens, where he remained until his death on All Souls Day.

On the occasion of his 100th birthday, one of his former altar boys, Father Dick Gielow, CM, wrote: His whole focus was Vocations. Besides our baseball team, called the Martins, Charlie set up a boys club in the basement of the school. This was an elaborate club. It was filled with everything a young boy would enjoy. He had pinball machines, pool tables, shuffleboard, card tables, soda fountains, boxing ring and basketball. It was opened every Wednesday evening and only boys were allowed. It cost 25 cents to get in, BUT you had to go to the Miraculous Medal Novena first and then come over to the club. If you went to the Novena and showed up at the door but didn’t have the quarter, Charlie had one for you. He was terrific to us. He is one of the reasons I wanted to be a Vincentian priest.

Over the years, more than one confrere was heard remarking, “Charlie Saunders will probably outlive us all.” And for more than one confrere, that was true! After 101 years of earthly life, may he live eternally in peace!