Nephew of French priest who served across Michigan during the Civil War embarks on memorial tour
The great-nephew of Belgian priest Charles Lemagie is embarking on a world tour, following in his ancestor's footprints during his time as a Confederate missionary between 1854 and 1882.
The French priest Father Charles Lamagie was sent to replace a priest in the Great Lakes Region serving with the Confederate forces under the Union flag, according to the Mater Dolorosa Catholic Chuch in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"Father Lemagie carried out the directions of Archbishop Odin for the recitation of prayers for peace, and conducted Forty Hours' Devotion, also for the same intention. Prayers were also said in 1863, for the success of the Confederate forces, as requested by President Jefferson Davis," according to Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church.
Bruno Lemagie, a surviving family member of Father Charles Lemagie, will begin his journey in France on Tuesday, traveling for two months to Belgium, Canada, and several locations in the Great Lakes region to Louisiana.
Lemagie's journey will be the fuel for his second book inspired by his family's history, following "Oublié de Dieu" published in 2018.
In a news release on Friday, Lemagie said he will travel strictly by public transportation and seek housing with locals and in parishes, a "real adventure."
Once crossing the Atlantic, Lemagie makes stops across Michigan in Detroit, Dearborn, Ypsilanti, Marquette, and L'Anse before hitting Wisconsin cities Green Bay, Appleton, Holand Town, Maple Grove, New London, Manawa, and Waupaca.
During his time in Michigan Lemagie will visit the Dearborn Historical Museum, where Father Charles Lemagie officiated in 1859 for 13 months until January 1860.
"At the beginning of autumn, an unexpected event will call him to Dearborn. As he is the only pastor on this part of the coast and stationed not far from there," reads Oublié de Dieu. "Father Charles is in charge of the funeral service and succeeds him as director of the small community of Saint-John."
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Nephew of priest who served Michigan during Civil War embarks on tour
