A friar who loved his family, the Church, the Capuchin Order, and his country. A brother who brought these loves to our international mission.

That was how one friar described Fr. Roland Daigle, who served the people of God in Okinawa, Japan, for 31 years and in Guam for 3 years. Father Roland died on May 7 at the age of 72, one day shy of his next birthday.

Father Roland, a second-generation Franco-American, was the seventh child born to Fortunat Daigle and Irene Begin-Poulin in Augusta, Me., in 1951. He graduated from St. Augustine Parochial School and Cony High School in Augusta. While working at a textile mill, he studied psychology at the University of Maine, graduating in 1975. For three semesters he was a seminarian for the Diocese of Portland, Me., but his heart was drawn to the Franciscan way of life. He entered the Capuchin order on Aug. 31, 1977, and pronounced perpetual vows on Sept. 18, 1982. He earned his master of divinity degree at Maryknoll School of Theology in 1982, and he was ordained to the priesthood on June 2, 1984.

After a year in residence at St. Pius X Friary in Middletown, Conn., he began his missionary career with two years of language study in Japan. From 1987 to 2003, Father Roland distinguished himself as a pastor in Awase, Futenma, Koza, and Maehara. He overcame linguistic barriers and cultural differences—the Japanese people’s restraint contrasted with Father Roland’s Franco-American exuberance—to administer God’s grace to all.

“Many Okinawan Catholics owe their faith to the example and ministry of Roland,” said our friar Bishop Wayne Berndt, who lived and worked with him during their years together in Okinawa’s Diocese of Naha. He served two terms as minister of the Custody of Japan (2003-09). In later years (2009-16), he was a full-time auxiliary chaplain to the U.S. military bases there. He finished his missionary service in Guam as a parochial assistant at St. Jude Church, Sinajana.

In all his works, Father Roland held himself to the highest standards of excellence. He was extremely talented as a selftaught carpenter and tailor. He built furniture for the friaries  and churches he served, and he made and repaired habits for many friars. He was also skilled as a facilities manager, finding the best people to undertake major repairs of friaries and church buildings. He enjoyed baking and cooking, and he used to host big Christmas meals for the diocesan clergy of Okinawa. “Roland used his Franco-American heritage to easily turn any friary into a home and turned all the friars into his real brothers,” Bishop Wayne said.

After a heart attack in Guam in 2019, Father Roland returned to the Province for health reasons.

He resided at St. Lawrence Friary, Beacon, N.Y., from August 2021 until shortly before his death.

He was pre-deceased by his parents and a brother, the Rev. Donald Daigle. He is survived by two brothers, two sisters, and 14 nephews and nieces.

He was pre-deceased by his parents and a brother, the Rev. Donald Daigle. He is survived by two brothers, two sisters, and 14 nephews and nieces.