Patrick Vidal was born in London in 1919, elder son of Alan and Kath Vidal, was educated at Ampleforth and received the Benedictine habit from Abbot Matthews in September 1938, taking Francis as his religious name. Abbot Herbert Byrne received his first vows in the following year.
Fr Francis' father, Alan Vidal, was the school doctor, and had been in the Medical Corps during the first world war and decorated for bravery. He was not a Catholic but this somewhat gruff and explosive character was well known and much loved throughout the College and Ampleforth countryside. He was fond of golf and his pipe, had his own fishing hut on the Rye, and was a keen shot. Fr Francis' mother, Kathleen, was a deeply devout Catholic, faithful to traditional practices and a quite superb cook. Many the meal that Fr Francis' school and monastic contemporaries enjoyed at her table.
Fr Francis inherited much from his parents. He had accompanied his father on local shoots and knew the names of covers and fields in the district all around the Abbey. He was dedicated to the golf course. Once working on the parishes, his free day was regularly taken up with a visit to the local golf course, right up to the end of his life. He inherited his father's courage and was fearless on the rugger field. Notorious for his effective tackling, Francis would hurl himself at any possessor of the ball who had not got rid of it in good time. It was said he was impervious to pain. Francis had played in the school 1st XV and continued to play throughout his career in the monastery and St Benet's Hall where he played for Oxford University in 1942 and 1944, thereby winning two wartime Blues. After he moved to the parishes he was a playing member of the Warrington and Workington Clubs.
From his mother Francis inherited a deep, uncomplicated, living faith together with his whole hearted commitment to prayer and especially the Rosary and his love of the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. Members of the Ampleforth Pilgrimage will remember him as a regular, always wearing his monastic habit, leading the prayers at the Baths (especially the Rosary in French, sometimes with an addition in Spanish in the same Hail Mary), and his devotion to the Cachot where he would make a point of celebrating Mass once during every pilgrimage. However his talent for cooking owed less to maternal genius than to his years as Quartermaster in the Scouts. His stockpot at Warwick Bridge was notorious and could be a source of concern for those who shared his hospitality.
Francis received his monastic formation well before the second Vatican Council in the days when great emphasis was put on the importance of observance of rules and customs. " Life in the monastery and on parishes was structured, and unchanging. Francis came to live a very regular and structured life. Faithfulness, loyalty and commitment to his formation were deeply embedded in his makeup. Monastic stability does not only imply stability to a community or a place, but also faithfulness and thoroughness to responsibilities held over a long period. This was very much a characteristic of Fr Francis. He was not a person who cut corners. An exception might have to be made, however, in applying this to his driving.
Fr Francis was ordained priest in 1947 by Bishop Brunner, and Abbot Herbert, who had spotted his pastoral gifts, moved him to parish work in 1949.This was the beginning of fifty-one years of dedicated pastoral zeal, during which time he served on seven parishes served by the Ampleforth community. His longest appointments were at St Benedict's, Warrington (1952-61), which is thought to be the first parish to present him with a motor cycle, Barnber Bridge (1963-70 and 1991-2000) and Warwick Bridge (1970-90).
Having once left a parish, Fr Francis maintained links with many parishioners after his move. Every year he sent out a great number of Christmas cards and would give a week of his holiday helping out as a supply priest at St Benedict's. Parishioners remember him as a 'holy, prayerful and conscientious' parish priest with 'enormous humanity' and a great love of children. He was extremely faithful to his prayer life, the Divine Office, daily meditation, thanksgiving after Mass and his daily rosary. Always sensitive to his parish responsibilities such as care of the sick, visiting parishioners in their homes, he was meticulously prompt in the counting of offertories immediately after Mass, the conscientious keeping of the Covenant books, parish records and the parish diary. He was not just concerned with parish affairs but got involved in local activities such as Age Concern, Good Companions, and the Scouts with whom he was at different times both Group Scout Master and chaplain. He much enjoyed social occasions such as his St Patrick's Day dance at Warwick Bridge, calling for Bingo and opportunities to entertain a social with his party piece Albert and the Lion. His pastoral work did have to be tailored to meet his fondness for Rugby. There is still in existence at Warwick Bridge a notice warning Saturday penitents that they would find their confessor watching the International.
By nature a traditionalist, he was not an innovator but his spiritual life was deeply affected by post-Vatican II renewal. His personal library contained many books emanating from charismatic renewal and he was an active member of several prayer groups and involved in days of renewal. He frequently took part in the annual renewal retreat for priests and deacons at Trinity and All Saints, Leeds, where without any inhibitions he would dance in the aisles, raise his hands in prayer and be involved in ministering to others. In 1999 he moved into the new community of St Benedict's at Brownedge, Bamber Bridge where his example and spirit of willing obedience were valued. It is significant that his sudden death took place just as he had returned from taking Holy Communion to the sick. We offer sympathy to his family and promise them the support of our prayers. May the Lord, for whom he worked so hard, welcome him into the company of the saints.
Patrick FRANCIS Vidal 1919 Oct3 born London ed Ampleforth 1938 Sep 19 Habit at Ampleforth Abbot Matthews 1939 Sep 29 Simple vows Abbot Byrne 1941 Feb 5,11,12 Tonsure & Minor Orders Abbot Byrne 1942 Sep 29 Solemn Vows Abbot Byrne 1945 Jul 22 Subdeacon Bishop Shine 1946 Jul 21 Deacon Bishop MeCormack 1947 Jul 20 Priest Bishop Brunner 1941-1944 St Benet's Hall, Oxford, History 3 played rugby for University Nov 42 & Mar 44 1949 Sep 28 Workington Assistant played rugby for `Zebras': made Vice President 1952 Feb 14 St Benedict's, Warrington, Assistant Played rugby. YCW girls' Chaplain. Drama group Scout GSM 1961 May 30 Harrington Assistant Workington RUFC Management Committee Chairman Ground Committee 1963 Sep 8 Bamber Bridge Assistant Restarted Women's Guild of St Anne to include non married's. Group Scout Master Divisional Scout Chaplain since 1969 Chairman for Carlisle & District Age Concern 1970 - 1990 Parish Priest of Warwick Bridge 1976 - 1986 Executive Committee Age Concern. Chaplain RAE 1987 Assistant Hospital Chaplain 1990 Jan Assistant Warwick Bridge 1990 Mar Administrator at Parbold 1991 Jan Administrator at Lostock Hall 1991 - 2000 Assistant at Bamber Bridge 2000 18 Feb Died suddenly at St Benedict's Priory, Bamber Bridge