What religious family? The Fathers of Betharram.

What priests were gathered around Sainte Michael Garicoits? Well not quite!  Under the inspiration of the Daughters of the Cross... and St Elizabeth in 1839.  Saint Michael welcomed the first brother who was called Arnaud, Arnaud Gaye from Saint Pe.  This was the beginning of the Society in 1839, nearly I70 years ago.

Brothers are full members of the society; fully part of the family and fully brothers with the same commitments by  vows, sharing the same common life of prayer and mission.

Like Arnaud Ampo they were formed by Betharram and Saint Michael.  It was about 1930 or 1931 about the age of 14 or 15 he left his mother and his home.  And brother Arnaud became a remarkable religious!  Always ready to go out of his way against his own wishes to answer all kinds of demands.  Can do plumbing?  It was he who began the work.  Can he do carpentry? With some application he did it perfectly.  Be a beekeeper?  Clever and ingenious that was he.

Brother Arnaud did his work to the sound of classical music which he dearly loved.  But the radio also kept him in touch with the world: a world of conflicts and reconciliation or a world of sport!

Brother Arnaud breathed prayer: his daily Mass, his ways of the cross.  Sitting or kneeling below the pulpit he assisted at the celebrations in the sanctuary, discreetly, humbly but faithfully.

This marvellous equinimity in the midst of the difficulties of life in community, was shaken brutally and ultimately at the time of his fall.  From then on he became dependent on others, living long days of inaction, and nights of nightmares and loneliness.

Holy communion brought him an extraordinary sense of peace.  What eyes!  And what gratitude at that moment  as he tremulously he said Amen and Thank you.

Here was a brother according to the heart of Saint Michael.  There is a heart forevermore offered to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Famille religieuse ? – Les "Pères de Bétharram". Des Prêtres autour de Saint Michel Garicoïts ?  Eh bien, non ! Sous l’impulsion des Filles de la Croix – Sainte Jeanne Élisabeth en 1839 – le Père va accueillir un premier Frère… qui s’appelait Arnaud, Arnaud Gaye, de Saint-Pé. Ce sera le commencement véritable de la Société religieuse. 1839 : 170 ans presque.

Gabriel Verley,SCJ

opening the burial in Betharram, april 10th 2007