CHARLENE MARIE RICHARD
     
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The grave of a young Louisiana girl, who died of leukemia in 1959, has become a shrine for thousands of pilgrims who kneel at her tomb and ask for her intercessory prayers.

Charlene Marie Richard


The oldest daughter of Mary Alice and Jospeh Elvin Richard, Charlene was born January 13, 1947, the second of ten children. During the summer of 1959 Charlene became very ill and was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette, Louisiana where she was diagnosed as having acute lymphatic leukemia. Father Joseph Brennan, a Roman Catholic Priest, was serving as hospital chaplain at that time and on his regular visits to the hospital he met Charlene. When Father Brennan learned the severity of Charlene's illness and saw how much agony the young girl was enduring he talked to her about the Christian concept of offering pain and suffering as a prayer for the benefit of others. Charlene readily and eagerly accepted Father Brennan's suggestion. Each day Father Brennan visited Charlene he talked to her of a particular person he felt could benefit from her prayers. Charlene would then offer that days pain and discomfort to God, as a prayer in the name of that individual. Charlene remained in the hospital for sixteen days. She died on August 11, 1959 at the age of twelve.

On August 11, 1989, the 30th anniversary of Charlene's death, Father Brennan spoke to more than 5,000 people who went to St. Edward Church in Richard, Louisiana to attend a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Harry J. Flynn of the Diocese of Lafayette. "She taught us lessons in humility, acceptance, simplicity and faith," Father Brennan told the crowd. "We have many books teaching us how to live. Charlene wrote the book on how to die."

Sister Theresita Crowley, a Franciscan Missionary of Our Lady, was a registered nurse in charge of the pediatric floor in the hospital. The Sister became good friends with Charlene and following her death, whenever Sr. Theresita was in need of a quiet place to pray, she frequently returned to room 411. The room Charlene had been confined and in which she had died. Room 411 held special significance for Sr. Theresita because, as the Nun explained, "Perhaps it was the last dwelling place of a Saint."

As belief in Charlene's intercessory prayers have increased and word of her heroic faith has spread, the tomb of the young girl has become a shrine. Thousands of pilgrims visit her tomb each year seeking help through Charlene's intercession. Many leave petitions on her grave, as well as flowers and personal items such as rosaries and medals. It has been estimated that more than 10,000 people visit Charlene's tomb in a years time, all with a common bond-their belief that in the tomb lies the body of a Saint.


St. Edward Catholic Church

Charlene Marie Richard is buried in St. Edward Catholic Church cemetery in Richard, Louisiana. St. Edward Parish was established in the Diocese of Lafayette in 1940 by the late Bishop Jules B. Jeanmard. The present church was built in 1965 while Father Floyd Calais was its Priest. Father Calais believes that funding for the church was obtained through the influence of Charlene's prayers for her community. The altar in the church was donated by Dr. Dan Voorhies, the physician who ministered to Charlene until her death in 1959.


"She was a faith-filled little girl. I see Charlene as a witness for people of all ages to the power of resignation and acceptance of Gods will. She wasn't different in any way except that when crisis came in her life, and it came very early, she accepted it with faith, trust and love."
Father Joseph Brennan

Father Joseph Brennan

Father Floyd Calais

Charlene's Grave


If anyone would like to purchase the award winning book written about Charlene Marie Richard please visit our Links Page and click on the link titled Charlene Richard-The Little Cajun Saint.



Guardians of Holy Relics would like to thank Ms. Mary Alice Richard for her warm hospitality and also her permission to use this information on our website.