The Lord blesses us with gifts to help us to grow and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. He does this by providing us with priests and religious who live among us and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus and lead us in our worship and praise to God. God continues to provide for the spiritual life and well being of his people, here in Dominica.
Fr. Charles Vermeulen C.Ss.R. was born on 14 January 1931 in Ouwegem, Belgum, the sixteenth child of his parents. He attended Ouwegem Primary School, he attended Secondary School at the Redemptorist Juvenate in Essen, Belgium. He entered the Redemptorist Novitiate at St. Truiden, Belgium on 15 August 1951, and was professed on 15 September 1952. Fr. Charles studied Philosophy in Beauplateau, Belgium from 1952-1954.
Fr. Charles did his theological studies in Louvain, Belgium from 1954-1958. Fr. Charles was ordained to the Priesthood in 1957.
The Redemptorist Missionaries came to Dominica in 1903, to help fulfill Christ mission to spread the Good News. In 1959, Fr. Charles Vermeulen C.Ss.R., a young Redemptorist Missionary was told by his provincial superior in Belgium that he was being sent to the island of Dominica to join other Redemptorist Missionaries.
Fr. Charles celebrated mass with his family in their parish church, and then made a one day trip to the port to catch the boat to the nature island. These were days when traveling was not so simple. Fr. Charles had to travel to Southampton, England; then he traveled for 11 days to the island of Dominica. He arrived at 12 midnight and was greeted by small boats, that took him to the city of Roseau. Fr. Lamote and Fr. Bergman was there to welcome him to a whole new world and way of life.
His missionary life would take him to the islands of St. Kitts, Anguilla, and Antigua. However, Dominica would be where he would spend almost 60 years of his life. He embraced the people of Dominica with a love that comes from the heart, they became his people. The struggle, the hopes and the challenges of the people became his. Every corner of our country has been touched by his love and care. Fr. Charles has preached the Gospel, has worked to help build many of the churches we worship in, and has taught in our schools. When Dominica was ravaged by a devastating hurricane, he stepped up and played a key role in the reconstruction of the country.
We are often reminded that actions speak the truth that is deep within our hearts. Fr. Charles has for decades spoken a language of love through his actions. With honor and dignity, he fulfilled his mission and commitment to the people and Church in Dominica. The Redemptorist missionaries, who have followed him, the people and Church have been blessed. God looked and gave us a priceless gift, who is Fr. Charles.
We praise God for this priceless gift, as he embraces a final missionary journey, to be with God in heaven. Charles, your life is part of a living story, God grant you a missionary’s blessing, God grant you the joy and peace that comes with a life of commitment and love.
Very thankful to my eldest sister
who introduced Fr. Charles to the rest of our family. What a beautiful blessing from God. Fond memories remain in my Heart until we all see you again by the Grace of God. With Love, May you continue to rest in God’s Light and Peace🕊❤️🕊❤️🕊❤️
RIP Fr, Charles.
Rest in eternal peace father.
I loved Fr Charles. I am so happy to see all the comments that mimic my exact sentiments. Rest in eternal peace Fr Charles. Dominica will miss you.
Sad, but when the Lord calls, we have to obey. Father God knew the plan of life that He had for Father Charles, as He is the author and finisher of our life. Father Charles did as he was born to serve and now the Lord has called him home. His work on earth is finished. Father Charles loved Dominica, and died in Dominica. The other priests were able to move back to Belgium and died in Belgium, like Father Francis, Father Werner, and others, but not Father Charles. Father Charles really loved Dominica. He will surely be missed by many of us.
Will he be buried in Dominica?
We thank God for Father Charles and for the work he accomplished in our island, Dominica.
May his soul now rest in peace.
Imagine 60 years in Dominica. I do not know if he wrote a book on his life in Dominica. It would be an interesting one.
I wonder how he felt traveling from all that way to Dominica, away from home. I am certain in those days the trip was no pleasure. He accepted this mission from his superior with obedience. There is no doubt he felt, it was God’s Calling and he willingly went.
God bless your soul Father Charles. You have done much for Dominica and nationals. Our Lord Jesus Christ said to you, “Come ye blessed of My Father. Possess ye the Kingdom that has been prepared for you..”
Father Charles, we know you will pray for us in this pitiful world. You now have seen the Face of God, the real truth revealed. Your faithfulness to God, to Church and to all you served were not in vain. You are now reaping the spiritual fruits of your sacrificial earthly works and know it was not in vain. You have won the crown.
Praise be to God who brought you safely home!
I wonder how many people knew him! Just two comments! He knew me from the 80’s and did something for me that i am ever grateful for. May your family also be touched with the comfort of Christ Jesus. We all have an appointment that we MUST meet.
Make today your calling. Jesus is waiting with open arms and he is more than delighted to save the lost!
Trust in him!
Thanks Analy Thomas, for pointing that out. I remember Father Charles in the sixties (confirmation).
May his soul rest in peace. I saw him a few years ago and he still looked the same. Dominica lost a great soul.
Indeed, Well Done – Good and Faithful Servant!
Exceptional is the most fitting word to describe You as a Holy Priest…You were absolutely one of the best -initiating Remarkable changes physically & Spiritually throughout the Diocese of Roseau, Dominica!
Truly a SPECIAL & Stella Priest… You will be sorely Missed! You Passed away on a Sunday- The Lord’s Day- (See Rev 1:10) the day after which this very Island was named Dominica. You were a true servant of the Lord and although You were from Belgium by birth -You really became a Son of the Soil. Father Charles, MAY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WELCOME YOU INTO PARADISE!!!
It can Never be Overstated -that Your Sterling Contribution to SO MANY DOMINICANS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN- ESPECIALLY AFTER HURRICANE DAVID ETC. I trust that as Many of us as possible will try to IMITATE the Great Life YOU Lived for the Lord Jesus! Deepest Condolences to the Redemptorist Community as well…
Rest in eternal peace Fr. Charles.
We thank the order of the CSsR for its wrk in our country.Well done good and faithful servants