Louis Besson Jerome Storms was born in Syracuse, New York on April 2, 1913, the son of Frederick W. Storms and Susan M. Johnston. Lou was one of five children. His sisters, Sr. Babara, DC and Frances (Buff) died in recent years, and his brothers, Frederick M., and Joseph, some years ago.

Primary, Secondary Education
Lou did his grammar and high school education at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Parish School, with the Daughters of Charity, from 1919-1931.

Niagara University
Following graduation, Lou entered Niagara University for his freshman and sophomore years from 1931-1933.

Vincentian Formation
Lou continued his college education with the Vincentians, entering St. Joseph Seminary, Princeton in 1933, and receiving his B.A. in 1935.

Lou and his class entered the Novitiate, St. Vincent's Seminary, Germantown, on June 13, 1935. He pronounced Good Purposes on June 14, 1936, and Perpetual Vows at the conclusion of the Novitiate on June 14, 1937.

Lou's class moved across the yard from the Novitiate to begin theological studies, then held at St. Vincent's Seminary. When Mary Immaculate Seminary opened in 1939, the scholastics moved to the new seminary, where Lou's class completed their final year of theological studies. They were ordained by Cardinal Dennis Dougherty in the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia on May 18, 1940.

Missions in Panama
Fr. Lou Storms first assignment was to the Missions in Panama. He was assigned as assistant to Father Peter Burns, CM, at St. Joseph's Church in Colon. In 1941 he moved to Balboa and Pedro Miguel. From 1942-1943 he served at St Vincent's Parish in Panama City.

Baltimore, Germantown
In 1943 Fr. Lou returned to the United States and served at Immaculate Conception Parish in Baltimore until 1945. From 1945-1946, he was stationed at St. Catherine's Parish in Germantown.

Back to Panama
1946 saw Fr. Lou return to St. Mary's Mission in Panama, where he served as Pastor and Assistant Superior until 1952.

In 1952 Fr. Lou returned to the States. He served as Assistant for the Vincentian Missions, from 1952-1953, helping to raise funds for the Missions. He was Assistant Vocation director from 1953-1954, and Assistant Superior of St Vincent's Seminary, Mother house from 1954-1956.

Mission Band
Lou next began work on the Mission Band at St. Vincent's Seminary from 1956-1959, and at Toronto from 1959-1962.

In 1962 Fr. Lou was assigned to St. Joseph's Parish in Emmitsburg, MD, where he served as Pastor and Superior until 1968.

From 1968-1969 Lou was on the Mission Band, stationed at St. John's Prep, Brooklyn. From 1969-1972, Fr. Lou was Superior of the house at Lewis Avenue, Brooklyn. During these same years, he also served on the Provincial Council.

From 1972-1973 Fr. Lou served as Superior of St. Vincent's Seminary, Germantown.

In 1973 Fr. Lou returned to Panama, to the mission at Cristobal, Margarita in the Canal Zone.

From 1979-1980 Fr. Lou was stationed at Niagara University, from which he preached rural missions. In 1980 he was appointed as Chaplain to De Paul Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity in Menands, NY.

In 1992, Fr. Lou returned to St. Joseph's Church in Emmitsburg, Md for parish ministry.

St. Catherine's Infirmary
In October of 2001, Fr. Lou was assigned to St. Catherine's Infirmary. In the summer of 2005, his health failed. At times he seemed to be slipping away from us, only to have him rally. The Lord called him home to heaven on Sunday, August 7th, c. 7:30 PM.

We will miss Fr. Lou. It was hard to find a more joyful, happy confrere. Confreres loved to ask Lou how he was, just to hear him reply "Terrific". At community events, Lou loved to respond to an invitation to sing one of his favorites "It's only a bird in a gilded cage." He sang well, and it was a pleasure to hear him. He contributed much to community life, and ministered well as a dedicated Vincentian priest in many different apostolates. May he rest in the peace of the Lord.

Courtsey of William Sheldon, C.M.