|
Our Prayers |
|
For the soul of :
- Fr. Cesareo Lasa Garín - Fr. Arnaud Darritchon - Bro. Marcello Piciollo - Fr. André Camy
- the mother of Fr. Paulo César Pinto - the father of Bro. Chan John Kunu - the sister of Bro. Eyad Bader - the sister of Bro. Theophile Degni N’Guessan
Father Cesáreo Lasa Garín (December 21st 1915 – June 23rd 2002) After having spent almost his whole life in the residence of Mendelù (Spain), Father Cesáreo Lasa passed away in the community of the old Fathers at Betharram, on Last June 23rd. From the age of eighty, his health rapidly deteriorated, in particular his mental conditions. He unwillingly gave up riding on his motorcycle and above all his faithful and devoted service to the Sisters of the Cross. It became rapidly difficult to communicate with him, and to give him the necessary health care. Father Lasa, convivial and pleasant, as we had known him for years in the past, was betrayed by the decline of his health and fell into a state of unconsciousness from which he did not seem to suffer. We thought to bring him to Betharram. The Provincial Superior and the Community of the Fathers fraternally opened the doors of the house whose commodities allowed Father Lasa better care. This decision was the right one, as we know that for those three years, Father Lasa was looked after with much charity and solicitude, in particular by Bro. Theodore, who was once one of his students. Thank you, Betharram! Cesáreo Lasa was born in Legorreta (Guipúzcoa) on December 21th 1915. He entered at a very young age the Apostolicate School fo Saint Michael in Mendelu, Fontarabie. Having finished his secondary studies, he entered the Noviciate at Balarin (1932), where he stayed for the two-year’s Philosophy course. He did Theology at Bethlehem for four years and was ordained a priest in July 1939. He came back to Spain to celebrate with his family and the population of his birth village his ordination as a priest and his first mass. At that time it was planned he would go to the Holy Land, in the community of the Patriarchal Seminary of Beit-Jala. As the Second World War broke out, he could not go. He was thus appointed to the college of Bazas to replace the Fathers mobilized by the war. A few months later, in September 1940, he joined the community for formation of the Apostolicate in Mendelu so to say “for the rest of his life”, as he has stayed there for sixty years, till the day when he had to leave for health reasons and go to Betharram. Throughout the years he had the opportunity to know many generations of students. All of them, those who have continued on this way and those who have chosen another road, have kept an excellent recollection of Fr. Lasa. At times the vivacity of his temper arose during the lessons or the study period, but everybody knew that after a brief break everything would be all right. He knew how to hide his shyness behind the jokes. In his company people used to poke fun at each other. It was a way of communication. But we should not make forget that Fr. Lasa was anxious to do his duty and that he gave very good and sensible advice. I believe that the Sisters of the Cross of Irún can bear witness to the religious punctuality and devoted availability of Fr. Lasa, as their chaplain for over forty years. One is thus not surprised to see that the Sisters and the members of his family in Legorreta came in great numbers to his funeral. Kilometres are not important to show respect for a good man!
Fr. José GOGORZA, s.c.j.
Father Arnaud Darritchon (November 15th 1909 – June 29th 2002) Ibarre is in mourning. After the void left by Fr. Larramendy’s untimely death, there was a slack period at Ibarre. But they asked Father Darritchon to take up the torch. How he was devoted to saint Michael Garicoïts before arriving at Saint-Palais, I could not say… but one thing is certain: from 1952 onwards he kept on the prie-dieu in the chapel, in the Etchecopar’s House, his own copy of the Doctrine spirituelle de saint Michel, then recently published. This book became his spiritual nourishment from which he constantly drew energy, especially in the twofold task that he would boldly pursue for forty years: to organise the annual pilgrimage to Ibarre and the preaching and exercises of the parish mission. Ibarre is greatly indebted to Fr. Arnaud Darritchon. He was ‘a road builder’ in both the literal and figurative sense of the word! The old track of the Way of the Cross–a true ordeal to walk up (!)–as well as the access to Garacotchea which he had transformed, straightened, paved with stones, and lined with shrubs. The Garicoït’s house became eventually accessible to all! Supposing one could reach the village in the first place… On several occasions he applied to the local authorities to initiate improvements to the roads, so it was finally possible to come to the village without too much trouble. As for the church, the path was improved and the church renovated several times over a series of minor works. But the church was small! Where could the hundreds of pilgrims be welcomed for the September celebrations? The area in front of the Church was inadequate! It was then after much difficulty and hard work that the shelter was built, even after a storm tore down the first roof… and the heart of the chief of works! But he did not give up; he carried on. But why should families only come together when the pilgrimage takes place? An idea germinated: let us make St Michael the protector of each house in the Basque country and preach in every Basque hearth! Five thousands frames were manufactured in the workshops of Navarrenx to portray each day “St Michael and the family”. These pictures still preach above many hearths and fireplaces; maybe somewhat faded, yet still eloquent. Fr. Darritchon dedicated his life to make St Michael known, loved and prayed to. He was aided in this by his friend and fellow countryman, the Fr Maintenu, who gently introduced him into the ranks of the Diocesan missionaries. Fr. Arnaud did not see himself in this role! Indeed, behind his teasing ways of approaching people, of asking them questions, and challenging them… was in reality an anxious, and sometimes tense man. Was a mission being prepared? Fr. Darritchon would not improvise! He would write down everything, rehearse in an undertone, pacing up and down with his papers in his hands. Throughout the rural Basque country, he is remembered as the mission priest with the beret on his head, the breviary in his hand, walking in fits and starts, behaving in a brotherly manner–and how much so!–towards his Missionary brothers and the numerous participants in the services. Fr. Darritchon was loved! When the “Mission was completed”, he would then return to Ibarre, the place of thanksgiving and nourishment, and courage for next set of missions (three, sometimes four times a year). We should not forget the teacher, whose authority was all the more impressive, since he was by character a shy person. We should recall his parish apostolate: a brief period at Lestelle, longer at Lantabat, in spite of advancing years! At 83 he was welcomed into the Retreat House. But we knew of his affection for Bethlehem for which he, on one occasion answered “Here I am” for a replacement and a presence in the community for the Carmelites of Bethlehem in Holy Land. His journey came to an end on last Saturday evening, with a very Betharramite word, just before his last breath: “I am glad”. Saint Michael wished to have “humble, obedient, reliable and always happy!” collaborators… Ten days ago the little town of St-Palais lost in Bro. Gabriel, a Franciscan, one of its greatest figures. Fr. Darritchon and this brother lived approximately during the same period: 1952-1992, spreading in their own particular way the message of the Gospel, as witnesses of poverty and availability, and true apostles for our day’s world. May Jesus, the Incarnate Word, welcome the new Here I am of our late Brother, accompanied by St Michael.
Homely of Fr. Gabriel VERLEY, s.c.j.
Brother Marcello Piciollo (September 15th 1927 – July 14th 2002) Brother Marcello took his leave of us “on tiptoe”, after having served humbly and generously, and now I would like to say a few simple words about him. I remember him when we were friends at school. We attended the same course till the fifth form at the Apostolic college of Colico (Italy), where we both took the Betharramite habit from Fr. Giovanni Trameri. Bro. Marcello was a very likeable person because of his humility and simplicity. He was the “umble man” of the Gospels, the one to whom the Father revealed his secrets. According to me, Marcello served the Congregation in the spirit of the Beatitudes. His dream was to become a priest. But Providence arranged his destiny differently, yet his religious call has served to unite our communities, in particular those he served through the kingly call of his baptism, brought to perfection by religious Consecration, and celebrated last year in Rome, on December 8th, on the occasion of his fifty years Profession. He left us “on tiptoe” after “a life-long illness”. Who would have thought Marcello would have called so many Brothers around his body, on the day of his Resurrection? A liturgy both simple and solemn, gentle and touching, paid homage to him and, through a magical touch, charmed the whole congregation. This is how we said “thank you” to our Brother, in particular the Communities he had served with “all his heart”. I remember Marcello helped me once at Albiate, when I was in Noviciate. I had suddenly been taken seriously ill; he came, lifted me up and carried me to my room, called the doctor and, then after they had brought me to hospital, he had prayed the whole night with the other novices and Fr. Alessandro Del Grande, then Master of the Novices; and I was saved. Dear Marcello, may you watch over me to save me from all other falls from human weakness. Out of respect for the liturgy, he bound numerous Mass Missals and pages of the immortal Gregorian chant... he cooked for many Communities, and from one recipe to another he sometimes murmured his prayers through his trembling lips. He took part in my first mass as subdeacon on June 8th 1958 with a mixture of joy and sorrow, as he was probably thinking of his secret dreams. Marcello, with your sensitivity, you have united our Communities, so they could become once more a “family” in simplicity, availability and humility. This fact of the Easter Mass and your death has been your “miracle”: through your silence, in the solitude of your prayers, your hands opened and outpouring love, you have called us all around yourself by the invisible touch of your heart. You are still alive among us. Of course, your feet are tired and bare, but your hands are white and pure, and the fruits are here before the altar: a basket for your sorrows, a paten full of grapes for your love carried at the offertory. Marcello, you loved us so much! May you continue loving us and caring for our unity. May the Angels bring you to Paradise; may the martyrs welcome you and take you to the City of Jerusalem, where the Trinity is awaiting you, together with the Virgin Mary whom you have loved so much and who has always held out for you her Beautiful Branch ; may Saint Michael, who loved the “Brothers” so much, welcome you, and may the whole Community of Betharram in Heaven receive you, united for ever in love, so that we all, Betharramite Brothers and Fathers, travelling through this world as pilgrims, find unity, peace and love. Marcello, my dear Brother, thank you for all, and pray so that we all remain “one Family”.
Your fellow friend and
brother,
Father André Camy (December 7th 1910 – September 12th 2002) The charism of a smile The man, the religious, the priest: whatever side of Father Camy you might consider, none is more impressive than the other two. Father André lived a long life in harmony with our Religious Family. He loved music, and was an excellent choir-master: there was a time when the Christians of the neighbouring parishes were eager to come and attend the eleven o’clock mass on Sundays in the sanctuary of Betharram, attracted by the singing of apostolics … Father Camy knew how to integrate singing with ministry: did he not direct a choir in a house among the vineyards of Gan and Jurançon, with the disabled, the convalescents and the elderly? According to him, to sing was to pray twice! I am not sure of the results, but Father persevered for forty years in this apostolate for the poor: an apostolate that moulds patience into a definite consistency which he knew how to guard with a smile. He started his ministry as a teacher and very soon became Superior of the Apostolic school. He put all his effort and skill into this work as a teacher and educator, and dedicated himself totally to it. His presence was also invariable as it was unpredictable: he would appear when we would have preferred him not to. He used to apologize with his classic remark: “I was just passing by chance!”. Harmony, reliability, fidelity, and then, with the advancing years, the gracious welcome, and a smile that opened all hearts… That was Father André. He was a man unperturbed, always available and ready to meet others: nothing was too much for him, since he had given all. Servant of Christ, following in the footsteps of Jesus, Father André might well say us at his parting: “I give you my joy… I leave you my peace”!
Testimony of Fr. Gaston GABAIX-HIALE, s.c.j. |