Transatlantic Travels — Ildephonse Lanslots
1892 — Belgium → United States
Ship: S.S. Westernland
Departure: Antwerp, 20 February 1892
Arrival: United States 27 February 1892
1903 — netherlands → United States
Ship: S.S. Westernland
Departure: Rotterdam,17 Octobre 1903
Arrival: United States 24 Octobre 1903
1914 — Italië → Verenigde Staten
Ship: S.S. Berlin
Departure: Naples (Neapel), 20 February 1914
Arrival: United States (15 March 1914)
1925 — Belgium → USA
Ship: S.S. Belgenland
Departure: Antwerp
Arrival: New York (12 September 1925)
1928 — Netherlands → USA
Ship: S.S. Rotterdam
Departure: Rotterdam, 22 August 1928
Arrival: New York (31 August 1928)
1931 — Belgium → USA
Ship: S.S. Westernland
Departure: Antwerp, 9 October 1931
Arrival: New York (20 October 1931)
Residence in the United States
Address:
St. Anthony’s Hospital
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Extracted from U.S. immigration lists of United States citizens (1914–1931).
Golden Jubilee — A Life Across Continents (1931)
JUBILARIAN HAS HELD POSTS IN 4 CONTINENTS
Father Lanslots, O.S.B., has served in Asia, Africa, Europe and America.
Europe — Origins and Formation
Father Lanslots’ clerical activities date back to 1880 in France, where he witnessed
the military expulsion of the Religious. Later that year he went to Rome.
Arriving again in Europe after his early missions, he became a professor of philosophy
and earned his Doctorate of Philosophy.
Asia — Mission in Dacca
In February 1881 he was ordained deacon in Dacca, and on June 12, 1881,
he was ordained a priest after having obtained a dispensation of 20 months
from the canonical age.
After eight years in the Diocese of Dacca, he returned to the Fathers of the Holy Cross,
saying farewell to Bengali on New Year’s Day, 1889.
A few weeks ago, the Bishop of Chicago sent him a letter in Bengali from a catechist
whom he had ordained fifty years earlier — a lasting echo of his mission.
Europe — Scholarship and Transition
Six days after his departure from Dacca, he was appointed Administrator of the Diocese,
though he was not recalled. Back in Europe, he continued his academic and religious work.
United States — Pioneer Priest
On July 2, 1892, Father Lanslots left Europe for Oklahoma. Upon arrival in Guthrie,
Bishop Meerschaert appointed him pastor of Pawhuska.
In 1894 he became pastor of Oklahoma City. During his tenure, St. Anthony’s Hospital
and St. Mary’s Academy were built, and the episcopal residence begun.
He also acquired land at Fairlawn and donated it to the parish.
A true pioneer priest of Oklahoma, he ministered to hundreds of families across the state.
Many would gather decades later to honor him.
Africa — Transvaal Mission
In February 1911 he was sent to Transvaal, South Africa. He later returned briefly
to the United States to raise funds for his missions.
The outbreak of the First World War delayed his return, and he experienced a difficult
and eventful journey back to Africa via Europe.
In 1919, Rome appointed him Vicar Apostolic of South Africa. His resignation was accepted
in May 1921.
United States — Final Years of Service
Returning to America in 1921, he was stationed in New York and later served as professor
in seminaries in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.
In 1925, he returned to Oklahoma, his adopted home, where he continued his work
until his Golden Jubilee.
Golden Jubilee — Oklahoma City, 1931
Celebrating fifty years as a priest, Father Lanslots marked the occasion on May 19
with a Solemn High Mass in the Old Cathedral at 9:30 a.m.
Hundreds attended, including clergy from across the Diocese. A reception followed
in St. Joseph’s Hall, and a formal dinner was offered by the Sisters of St. Francis
at St. Anthony’s Hospital.
Works and Legacy
Father Lanslots authored more than fifteen books on religious subjects in English,
Dutch, South African Dutch and Bengali.
His works include theological studies, catechisms, spiritual writings and translations,
including Genesis into Bengali — a testament to his global intellectual reach.
The South and Southwest — Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Saturday, May 16, 1931