Father Lucien Bouchard, OMI (1929–2026)

​Missionary Priest — Laos (1956–1975) | Borneo/Indonesia (1977–2005)

Early Life and Formation
Lucien Bouchard was born on March 27, 1929, in South Attleboro, Massachusetts, and entered the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) as a young man drawn to missionary work in remote regions. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1955, at Sacred Heart Church in South Natick, Massachusetts. From the beginning of his ministry, he expressed a desire to serve peoples living far from established church structures, especially in Asia.

Missionary Service in Laos (1956–1975)
Father Bouchard spent 18½ years in Laos, becoming one of the most widely respected and recognizable Catholic missionaries in the country during the turbulent years of the Secret War.
Pastoral and Humanitarian Work

• Served in remote villages across northern Laos, ministering to Lao, Hmong, and Khmu communities.
• Became fluent in Lao, Hmong, French, and English, enabling him to move easily among ethnic groups and government officials.
• Traveled primarily on foot, earning a reputation as “the priest who walked everywhere.”
• Provided basic medical care, including emergency dental treatment, in areas with no doctors.
• Worked with humanitarian figures such as Edgar “Pop” Buell to establish leper colonies and support displaced villagers.
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Role During the Secret War
Operating in contested territory, Father Bouchard became known to Air America pilots, USAID personnel, and CIA field teams, who frequently transported him to isolated settlements. Despite the dangers, he remained with his parishioners until the Pathet Lao takeover in 1975, when foreign missionaries were forced to leave the country.

Missionary Service in Borneo (Central Kalimantan, Indonesia), 1977–2005
After a brief period in the United States, Father Bouchard resumed missionary work in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, where he served for 28 years.
Ministry in Remote Villages

• Traveled by boat, motorcycle, and on foot to reach approximately 25 villages along rivers and forest routes.
• Continued the same pattern of itinerant ministry he had practiced in Laos: celebrating Mass, teaching catechism, offering medical help, and supporting local leaders.
• Became a respected figure among Dayak communities for his constancy, humility, and physical endurance.

Later Years and Passing
In 2005, Father Bouchard returned to the United States and served as Parochial Vicar at Christ the King Parish in Perrine, Florida, where he continued pastoral work until 2013. He then retired to the Oblate residence in Tewksbury, Massachusetts.
He died on April 24, 2026, at the age of 97, after more than 50 years of missionary service.

Legacy
Father Lucien Bouchard is remembered as:

• A missionary of extraordinary endurance, who walked thousands of miles to reach isolated communities.
• A pastor and healer during the upheavals of the Secret War in Laos.
• A friend and advocate of the Hmong and Lao people, many of whom still speak of him with reverence.
• A quiet humanitarian, whose work in Laos and Borneo left lasting marks on communities far from the centers of power.

His life stands as a testament to perseverance, cultural humility, and service to people living at the margins of conflict and geography.

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​Service Schedule

Upcoming Services+−
Hmong Wake PrayerTuesday, May 5, 2026
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Add to CalendarImmaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
486 Chandler St, Tewksbury, MA 01876

VisitationTuesday, May 5, 2026
7:00 - 9:00 pm (Eastern time)
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486 Chandler St, Tewksbury, MA 01876

Evening PrayerTuesday, May 5, 2026
Starts at 7:30 pm (Eastern time)
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486 Chandler St, Tewksbury, MA 01876

MassWednesday, May 6, 2026
Starts at 11:00 am (Eastern time)
Add to CalendarImmaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
486 Chandler St, Tewksbury, MA 01876

BurialWednesday, May 6, 2026
Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery
486 Chandler Street, Tewksbury, MA 01876