Pére Jean Wilfrid Albert

Pére Albert grew up in a poor Roman Catholic family in the village of Thomazeau, 24 miles from Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital. Believing that God had spoken directly to him in a dream, Albert entered Haiti’s Episcopal Seminary at the age of 20. Upon graduation, he became Chaplain of the Presbyterian Church (USA) mission hospital in Leogane, where he served for 8 years.

It was during this period of time that he met Frances and Gardner Landers. In the late 80’s, God called Pére Albert to the mountains of southern Haiti (Grande Colline) to serve the people of St. Matthais Parish by establishing schools adjacent to each of the parish’s 7 Episcopal churches. With Frances Landers’ help, schools and churches were established throughout the mountains. Pére Albert worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the people in the parish he served. He knew that education was their only HOPE.

Following a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, Pére Albert went to be with his Best Friend and Father on July 6, 2005. At the time of his death, there were 34 elementary schools, 7 high schools and a vocational school in operations. Those who spent time with Pére Albert will never forget his determination or his deep belly laugh. He inspired many Haitians and Americans to step out in faith and believe God.

The following statement was read at his Life Celebration:

We give thanks to God for the life of our friend Pére Jean Wilfrid Albert. Our Lord has touched our hearts by his spirit so open to the will and power of the Holy Spirit. Here was a man of great courage, an enormous love of life and clear-eyed vision. I express the feelings of his friends here in the United States: the work to which Pére Albert was called some fifteen years ago in the mountains of southern Haiti will continue. What he envisioned for the future of the people of St. Matthais parish as well as for the earth where they live has become also our vision. What he believed to be God’s will has also become what we believe to be God’s will.

Pére Albert put great importance on the education of the young. They are the future of Haiti! With the grace of God, all of these projects will continue. Therefore we pray for wisdom, strength and determination for you as well as for ourselves. We recall the words of our friend, “We are only pilgrims in this world.” May we live our days in a way that reflects what we have learned from our friend Pére Jean Wilfrid Albert.