Father Borgia Francis Aubespin SVD passed away on Saturday,  April 19, 2025 at the Divine Word Residence at Techny, Illinois, at the age of 89.

Father Borgia Aubespin was born on October 10, 1935 in Prairie Laurent, a small farming community near Opelousas, Louisiana to Augusta and  Ernest Aubespin . He was the second of six children born to the Aubespin's.

As a young boy, Borgia worked on the farm with his parents and siblings and attended elementary school in Prairie Laurent.  Upon completion of elementary school, he attended Holy Ghost High School in Opelousas because there was no high school in the area.  His uncle, who worked in the city, would drop him off at school at 5 A.M. and pick him up from school at 5 P.M.

Father John, the priest at Holy Ghost, noticed Borgia waiting in the early mornings for the school doors to open and invited him to wait in the church until school would start.  Borgia admired Father John, which inspired Borgia to seriously consider a vocation in the priesthood.  With advice from Father John, Borgia entered St. Augustine's Seminary in Bay St. Louis, MS at the age of fourteen.

Borgia later attended the Divine Word Seminary in New York in 1954, and professed his first vows in 1956 following his philosophy studies at the Divine Word Seminary in Techny, Illinois.

Father Aubespin was ordained to the priesthood February 13, 1965 for the Society of the Divine Word.

Following his ordination, his priestly ministry began with an assignment to Bahol in the Philippines.  His assignment included pastoral duties, serving as the directors of the High School, Dean of Student Affairs, and Vice President of the SVD College in Bahol.

In 1973, Father Aubespin returned to the USA and became pastor of St. Francis Catholic Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi.  He served there until 1974 when he was assigned as Pastor of St. Rose de Lima in Bay S. Louis, Mississippi.

In 1978 he was assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary in Lafayette, Louisiana.  It was during this time that Father's focus became that of allowing the parish leadership to evolve by promoting the work of lay ministry.

In 1986 Father was elected Provincial of the Southern Province for the SVD Southern Province.  He served in this capacity until the end of his tenure in 1994.  He was once again assigned to Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Lafayette, Louisiana and served as pastor from 1994 to 2001.

Father Aubespin was assigned to St. Mary of the Purification of Catholic Church in Houston, Texas in 2001.

In 2015 he became pastor of Lawtell and Mallet parishes in Louisiana.

In 2021 Borgia retired at St. Augustine Seminary in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  Because of his health he moved to Techny, Illinois for more specialized care.

Borgia loved sports, he played baseball and he would scuba dive when in the Philippines.  He loved watching football, especially his beloved New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers.  He loved conversation, even though he would often push and alternative argument with others.  He talked with the newer members and would often ask the young men to be aware of "culture"  in their ministry.

May his soul rest in the peace of Christ, and may his memory be a blessing to all.