Irving C. “Francis” Houle

Irving C. Houle was born December 27, 1925 at his family home in Wilson, Michigan. His parents were Peter and Lillian Houle. They were faithful Catholics who raised seven children, six boys and one girl. Irving was the sixth child. All of Irving’s siblings have also died. The last sibling, Bob, died in June 2018. As a young child Irving recalled his family praying the rosary together, especially during Lent. Even then he felt a calling to suffer for Jesus. He once told that his mother “scolded” him for kneeling upon the metal grate in the room where they prayed. He recalled that his family would remain after Mass to pray the Stations of the Cross. His father would direct the children in praying an Our Father and a Hail Mary at each station. In addition to Holy Mass and the Eucharist, the rosary, and the Stations of the Cross, in later years the Divine Mercy Chaplet were part of his daily prayer.