The Most Reverend Leonard J. Olivier, S.V.D., Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. died onWednesday, November 19, 2014 at the age of 91.

Bishop Olivier was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, October 12, 1923. He was the fifth of eight children. He attendedSacred Heart of Jesus School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, St.Mary''s Seminary in Techny, Illinois. He was ordained a priest of the Divine Word Missionary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippion June 29, 1951.

From 1952 to 1973, he was successively Assistant Dean and Dean of Seminarians, and rector of the ReligiousCommunity. From 1974 to 1982, he was Secretary of Studies for all United States Divine Word Seminaries and Rector ofthe Religious Community of Divine Word Seminary, Epworth, Iowa.

His first pastorate was at St. Anthony''s parish in Lafayette, Louisiana. In the last two years of that assignment, he alsoserved as part time Vicar for Black Catholics in the Diocese of Lafayette, Louisiana. He became full time Vicar in 1986.On, November 7, 1988, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. by Pope John Paul II.Ordained Bishop on December 20, 1988, he served as Regional Bishop of Deaneries in the District of Columbia, PrinceGeorge''s County and Southern Maryland.

Bishop Olivier was a Fourth Degree Knight of St. Peter Claver, a Fourth Degree Knight of St. John and a Fourth DegreeKnight of Columbus. He served as the Convener of the African American Catholic Bishops Subcommittee on Youth, theAd Hoc Steering Committee for the National Strategy on Vocations, and the Task Force Group for American Adaptationsto the Order of Christian Marriage, and the Liturgy Committee of USCC/NCCB. He served as the convener of the AfricanAmerican Catholic Bishops and as the Episcopal liaison for the National African American Catholic Youth MinistryNetwork. He was also a member of NCCB Committee on Bishops Life and Ministry, Board Member of Covenant HouseWashington, Member of the InterFaith Conference, Member of Maryland Catholic Conference, Board Member of TheNational Black Catholic Congress, Member of National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, and Episcopal Moderator of thePan African Roman Catholic Clergy Conference and served on a number of committees for the United StatesConference of Catholic Bishops.

Bishop Olivier retired at the age of 80 and was in residence at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Upon hisdeath, he resided at the Little Sisters of the Poor - Jeanne Jugan Residence in Washington, D.C.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Matilda Olivier, a brother, Herbert Olivier, Sr., four sisters, LeolaMarchand, Verna Abrams, Velma Boutté, and Earline Olivier.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories: one brother, Edward Olivier and one sister, Theresa Olivier both of LakeCharles, Louisiana and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Services were held in Washington, D.C. as follows: a visitation and Vigil Mass on Sunday, November 23, 2014 at the LittleSisters of the Poor chapel, and a Funeral Mass at the Cathedral of Saint Matthew the Apostle on Monday, November 24,2014. The celebrant was Cardinal Donald Wuerl of the Archdiocese of Washington.

Lake Charles, Louisiana services will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Saturday, November 29, 2014 at noon.Celebrant will be Bishop Glenn Provost of the Diocese of Lake Charles. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemeteryunder the direction of Combre funeral home.

The family expresses our heartfelt gratitude to Jeanne Jugan Little Sisters of the Poor for their kindness, commitment anddedication. Bishop Leonard J. Olivier was a strong man of God, a brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend to all whoknew and loved him.

SERVICE INFORMATION

Service date: November 29, 2014

Funeral will be at 12 noon on Saturday, November 29, in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Entombment will be in Sacred Heart Mausoleum under the direction of Combre Funeral Home. Visitation is from 8am-11:45am Saturday in the church.