Mass of
Christian Burial
for
Rev. Paul E. Couture, S.S.E.’52

Rev. Paul E. Couture, S.S.E.’52.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held for Rev. Paul E. Couture, S.S.E.’52 on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023, at the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel at Saint Michael’s College. Couture died on October 28, 2023, after a long illness.

The Mass, which begins at 3 p.m., will follow visiting hours from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Those who cannot attend the funeral Mass in person can watch the celebration of Couture’s life via the livestream below. An obituary for Couture can be found below the livestream video.

Obituary for Rev. Paul E. Couture, S.S.E.’52

Father Paul E. Couture, S.S.E., died on October 28, 2023 after a long illness. 

Father Couture was born in Barre, Vermont, on March 2, 1929, the son of Flavien M. Couture and Laura Y. Beaudoin Couture. He attended Saint Edmund’s Juniorate in Swanton, Vermont, and graduated from Saint Michael’s College, Winooski Park, Vermont, in 1952. Graduate studies followed at the Gregorian University, Rome (STL 1956); the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome (SSL 1958); and the Gregorian University, Rome (STD 1967). He professed first vows in the Society of Saint Edmund in Putney, Vermont on August 22, 1950, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1956, in La Storta, Italy. 

In addition to serving in internal ministries in the Society of Saint Edmund, Father Couture pursued a long career in education, teaching at Saint Edmund’s Seminary in Burlington, Vermont, and at Saint Michael’s College. Father Couture is especially remembered as director of the Saint Michael’s College Graduate Theology and Pastoral Ministry Program, a position that he held from 1971 to 1992. After retiring from that position, he continued to teach at the undergraduate level and brought the love of Sacred Scripture to many people in the Diocese of Burlington and beyond, all of whom have benefited from the numerous courses and workshops he delivered in his later years. He will always be remembered for his passion in making the Word of God come alive in his preaching and teaching. 

He is survived by his nieces and nephews Liane Couture, Mark Couture, Daniel Couture, Matthew Couture, Laura Couture and Lisa Couture McNamara. He also leaves behind many cousins, relatives, and friends. 

Visitation will be held in the Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael’s College, Winooski Park, Colchester, Vermont, on Thursday, November 2, beginning at 1:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m., followed by interment in the Merrill Cemetery, across the street from the campus. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.smcvt.edu/about-smc/news.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Edmundite Campus Ministry, c/o St. Michael’s College, 1 Winooski Park, Box 256, Colchester, VT 05439.