Tyler Dickinson – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

ST. PAUL, Minn. — “It’s quite an honor and a blessing to have this opportunity,” said Diocese of Madison seminarian Tyler Dickinson in talking about playing the lead role in a play about the last man sentenced to death by the guillotine in France.

Dickinson, a native of Edgerton, Wis., acted in productions at Edgerton High School and performed in community theater while he was a student at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill. He is in his second year of theology studies at St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity.

Story of last man guillotined: Inspires us to work for an end to the death penalty

Diocese of Madison seminarian Tyler Dickinson has the lead role in a play called Saved by the Guillotine, which tells the story of Jacques Fesch, the last man sentenced to the guillotine in France. He was beheaded on October 1, 1957.

When I heard the year was 1957, I thought I misunderstood! Was this the right century? After all, the French Revolution happened from 1789 to 1799. We remember hearing about people yelling “off with their heads” during this time in history. Apparently it continued much longer.

The story of Jacques Fesch reminds us of why we should oppose the death penalty. Fesch did commit a murder, although it was not premeditated. His lawyer argued in court that no crime merits another crime.

The Mass is not about us but for us, a gift from God

To the editor:

I wanted to take a brief opportunity to respond to two recent letters (both November 1, 2012), by Mr. Paul Krogman and Mr. Bill Wambach. As I read them, I was saddened because they both seem to have been offended by the articles of Mr. Nico Fassino and Sr. Joan L. Roccasalvo regarding liturgical music.