Le Frère Béat est né le 18 mars 1921 à Bulle (canton de Fribourg en Suisse). Il était le cadet d’une fratrie qui comptait 4 garçons et une fille. Il ne connut pas son père qui perdit la vie alors que Béat n’avait que quelques mois. Après son école primaire, il fit un apprentissage de menuisier ébéniste et exerça ensuite son métier durant une trentaine d’années, tout en se sentant attiré par la vocation missionnaire chez les Missionnaires d’Afrique où était déjà entré son cousin, le Père Aloys Moret.

À 51 ans, il céda à l’appel de Dieu et commença son noviciat à Fribourg. Il réussit, malgré son âge, à s’intégrer dans le groupe des novices, âgés pour la plupart d’une vingtaine d’années. En 1973, il fut envoyé à Kabgayi (Rwanda) pour y diriger la menuiserie du diocèse. À l’occasion d’un retour en Suisse, il prononça son serment définitif à Fribourg le 8 août 1976.

Son séjour à Kabgayi, où il resta 18 ans, l’amena à mettre en œuvre, dès le début, son talent d’organisateur. À peine arrivé, le simple ouvrier fut mis à la tête de la menuiserie qui employait alors plus de 100 personnes. On lui fit toute confiance. Il était libre de ses mouvements et de ses décisions, mais responsable de tout : machines, finances, planification du travail, salaires, formation des jeunes, etc.

Lorsqu’il rentrait en Suisse pour quelques semaines de repos, il n’hésitait pas à revêtir son bleu de travail et à aider son frère Aloys dans son atelier. En plus de ses compétences en menuiserie, il avait un don de sculpteur qu’il s’était découvert en autodidacte. Il donnait généreusement ses œuvres d’art ; c’est ainsi qu’il sculpta un Chemin de croix pour l’église de sa paroisse de Neirivue dont il avait été le sacristain durant plusieurs années.

Dans une sorte de bilan sur ses années au Rwanda, Béat dira un jour : “Je crois que j’y ai réussi au mieux de mes capacités ; quand le temps fut venu de quitter le Rwanda, je n’emportais pas seulement de bons souvenirs, mais aussi la satisfaction d’avoir préparé de bons menuisiers qui pourraient poursuivre l’œuvre pour le bien de tout le pays.”

Une nouvelle étape de sa vie, qui allait durer près de 14 ans, commença à Jérusalem en 1991. Il y assura les travaux d’entretien du séminaire Sainte-Anne. Dans ces bâtiments construits il y a plus de 100 ans, les compétences de Béat se révélèrent très utiles : réparation de portes et fenêtres, chambres à repeindre, chaises, tables et autre mobilier à remplacer ou à fabriquer, installations électriques, etc. Dans les moments de conflits vinrent s’ajouter des travaux imprévus, comme le renforcement de fenêtres brisées par des manifestants en décembre 2000.

En 1996, il eut la joie d’accueillir un pèlerinage venu de la Gruyère, sa région natale. Parmi les pèlerins se trouvaient son frère et sa belle-sœur avec qui il passa une journée inoubliable sur les bords de la mer Morte. Il eut plusieurs fois l’occasion de se joindre aux sessionnistes dans leurs excursions en Galilée ou au Sinaï. Ce qu’il aimait par-dessus tout, c’était se rendre au Saint Sépulcre, au Cénacle ou à Gethsémani pour y méditer en silence. “C’est une grâce de pouvoir prier là où le Seigneur a souffert, est mort, a institué l’Eucharistie.”

En 2005, la fatigue se faisait de plus en plus sentir, de même que les ennuis de cœur et de rhumatisme qu’il avait supportés jusque-là sans trop de peine. Sa mémoire donnait également des signes évidents de faiblesse. Béat, qui était très attaché à son travail de menuisier en Terre Sainte, fut invité par ses supérieurs à rentrer définitivement en Suisse, ce qu’il accepta après quelque temps. Il rejoignit la communauté de Veyras qu’il ne quitta plus, sauf pour rejoindre le Foyer Saint-Joseph à Sierre, dans les derniers jours de sa maladie. C’est là que le Seigneur le rappela à lui le 10 août dernier.

En apprenant son décès, un confrère a dit de lui : “C’était un confrère pacifique et bon qui nous appuie maintenant dans la mission d’une autre façon.” Tous ceux et celles qui l’ont connu gardent de lui le souvenir d’un confrère dévoué, discret, entièrement donné à sa mission.

Jean-Marie Gabioud

Père Louis Schoofs

1920 - - 2012

LLouis est né à Beringen, dans la province du Limbourg, le 15 octobre 1920, dans une famille très chrétienne. Son père travaillait aux mines de charbon mais en surface ; il gérait également sa petite ferme. Le ménage comptait six enfants, trois garçons et trois filles. Pour ses études secondaires, Louis a suivi les humanités classiques au collège Saint-Joseph dans sa ville natale.

Au mois de septembre 1939, il entra chez les Pères Blancs à Boechout. Suivirent le noviciat à Varsenare et le scolasticat à Heverlee où il prononça son Serment missionnaire le 1er avril 1945 et fut ordonné prêtre le 22 avril 1946. Sa sœur Rosa devint membre des A.F.I. (Aide Féminine Internationale, à l’époque) et travaille encore actuellement au Caire. Son frère cadet Joseph entra également chez les Pères Blancs, mais fut laïcisé plus tard. Les professeurs de ce temps décrivent Louis comme un homme généreux, enthousiaste, énergique et travailleur, mais soulignent également qu’il est très sensible. Au cours de ses études de théologie, on fait également remarquer que sa santé est plutôt fragile.

Nommé au Lac Albert (Ituri, en RD Congo), Louis s’embarque sur le Mar del Plata à Anvers, le 13 novembre 1946. Le 17 décembre, il arrive à Bunia. En avril 1947, il est nommé vicaire et responsable des écoles à Logo, où il étudie la langue Alur. Pas pour longtemps, car au mois de mai 1952, l’on fait appel à lui comme professeur et économe au petit séminaire de Kilo-Mines. Le Régional de l’époque écrit : “Il semble être un bon prof. Ses cours de néerlandais sont particulièrement appréciés par les élèves”. Mais le même responsable régional fait remarquer qu’il doit consulter régulièrement un médecin… Pendant son congé en Belgique en 1956, il consulte plusieurs médecins à Anvers et à Louvain et fait sa grande retraite à Mours en 1957. À la fin de l’année, il est nommé économe à Verviers (rue du Broux) et rend également service dans plusieurs paroisses.

Comme un retour en Afrique semble exclu à cause de sa santé, Louis se présente au Vicariat de l’Armée. En décembre 1959, il part au quartier général de nos troupes en Allemagne, plus précisément à Weiden, pas loin de Cologne, comme aumônier du 4e bataillon des troupes de transmission. Concrètement, cela représente environ 1 500 jeunes recrues, qui se trouvent pendant deux mois loin de leur famille. “L’aumônier est ici un peu comme leur père nourricier : pour mille et une affaires personnelles, ils viennent me trouver.” Chez lui, ils peuvent s’asseoir et fumer tranquillement une cigarette, une chose impensable chez les officiers.

Mgr Cammaert, aumônier principal de (toute) l’Armée Belge, témoigne de Louis “qu’il accomplit un magnifique travail sacerdotal” et qu’il se sent tout à fait à l’aise dans son apostolat. En 1985, Louis écrit au Provincial : “Qui accompagne les hommes a besoin, moins de savoir-faire que d’empathie, saisissant les sentiments ordinaires de gens ordinaires (ce que nous sommes tous !) : amour, amitié, bonheur, soucis, souffrance sous toutes ses formes, devoir à accomplir, etc., etc. À partir de là, il pourra dévoiler le mystère de l’existence humaine et permettre délicatement à l’Esprit de Jésus de Nazareth de l’habiter.”

À cette époque, les Pères Blancs ne savaient pas trop que faire des confrères, souvent jeunes encore, rentrés d’Afrique et se jugeant incapables d’y retourner. Ce fut le cas de Louis. Plus tard, il écrira : “Quand je partais, il y a 22 ans, comme aumônier de l’armée en Allemagne, les Pères Blancs ne m’ont pas bien traité humainement parlant. J’en ai vu de toutes les couleurs ! Ainsi me demandait-on de ne visiter aucune maison Pères Blancs, car j’étais un mauvais exemple pour les autres ! Maintenant, je dirais qu’ils me flanquent à la porte, mais mon serment - ma naissance comme Père Blanc - ils ne peuvent me l’enlever. La ‘diaspora’ en Belgique, c’est une longue histoire. Les jeunes n’en savent rien ou peu ; c’est dommage, car l’histoire est une bonne maîtresse de vie.”

Le Provincial, après consultation du Conseil Général de l’époque, exigea que Louis revienne en Belgique pour y rejoindre une communauté. Mais il n’y avait pas de poste d’aumônier militaire vacant en Belgique. Quelques années passent. Ne sachant plus à quel saint se vouer, Louis demanda alors l’exclaustration pour trois ans en prévision de son incardination dans le diocèse de Liège. La permission officielle de Rome arriva le 21 avril 1967. Les trois années écoulées, Louis déchira pourtant la lettre officialisant son passage définitif au diocèse. Il reste donc Père Blanc. Chaque fois qu’il parlait à un confrère de cet épisode de sa vie, les larmes lui venaient aux yeux.

En novembre 1967, Louis est nommé au Quartier Général des Forces Armées Belges en Allemagne, toujours à Weiden. En janvier 1971, il est muté vers la base de l’Armée de l’Air à Beauvechain (1er Wing de la Force Aérienne). Il y fera encore quinze ans comme aumônier militaire.
Fin 1985, Louis quitte l’armée. “J’y étais très heureux : un milieu où l’on est accueilli et où l’on trouve sa place propre, au milieu et proche des gens, en union avec les autres aumôniers qui formaient ensemble un groupe très fraternel.” Il en gardera d’ailleurs beaucoup d’amitiés et de bonnes relations.

Louis occupe dorénavant un appartement à Bruxelles, Avenue Brugmann. Il garde beaucoup de contacts avec d’anciens collègues et fait du ministère à gauche et à droite. En novembre 2007, il déménage à la ‘Maison de Repos et de Soins’ Sainte-Anne à Beringen, son dernier domicile. Tant qu’il en fut capable, il rendait service aux autres pensionnaires du home et visitait les confrères de Genk, communauté la plus proche. Ces derniers lui rendirent régulièrement ses visites. Jusqu’à la fin, Louis est resté fidèle à lui-même : gentil, aimable, agréable, sensible et reconnaissant, et missionnaire dans l’âme. Il est décédé le 26 avril 2012.

La liturgie d’adieu a été concélébrée le jeudi 3 mai 2012 en l’église N.D. de Fatima à Bret-Gelieren, suivie par l’inhumation dans notre cimetière de Varsenare.

Jef Vleugels

Père Vicente Rodriguez Garcia de Castro

1922 - - 2012

Le P. Vicente était le seul garçon des trois enfants dans la famille du docteur Vicente Rodríguez Alcaín. Son père exerçait la médecine à Lucena del Puerto, en Andalousie, Espagne. Né le 6 décembre 1922, Vicente fut baptisé le 21 janvier 1923. Il passe son enfance au village natal. En octobre 1942, il entre au grand séminaire de Séville pour les études philosophiques et en octobre 1945, il commence la théologie.

Dès 1946, il est en contact avec les Pères Blancs et, en octobre 1947, le P. Carlos Merry l’envoie au noviciat après avoir fini la deuxième année de théologie.

En août 1947, Vicente part de Séville avec quatre autres jeunes espagnols pour le noviciat à Maison-Carrée. À la fin de l’Année spirituelle, le 11 novembre 1948, le Père maître, Jean-Baptiste Blin, présente ainsi Vicente : “Piété solide et sérieuse, docile, régulier. Très bon sujet, doué d’un très bon jugement ; réfléchi ; pondéré ; de relations faciles et dévoué. Il présente un bon ensemble de qualités.”

Vicente a déjà fait deux ans de théologie à Séville ; aussi les professeurs du scolasticat complètent son programme d’études avec les matières qui lui manquent. Il prononce son Serment missionnaire le 20 janvier 1950 à Carthage, et il sera ordonné prêtre à Thibar, le 28 juin 1950. Il est nommé au Burundi. Vicente s’exprime à propos de cette nomination : “Ordonné prêtre, mes supérieurs m’ont envoyé au Burundi, pays de l’Afrique centrale, dans la région des Grands Lacs. C’était en 1951. Depuis lors, excepté deux périodes de peu d’années passées en Espagne pour l’animation missionnaire, je suis resté au Burundi jusqu’en 1987 et, après un séjour au Congo (Zaïre), j’y suis revenu de 1991 à 1996. En tout, 44 années d’activité missionnaire dans ce pays.”

Au Burundi, il exerce son ministère dans plusieurs diocèses, notamment dans les paroisses de Gitega, Rumeza, Rusengo, Gitongo, Kasenyi, Gasenyi, Gatara, Buraniro, Mukere, Ruganza, Mukenke, Giheta. De son dévouement, générosité et limites nous avons retenu quelques témoignages. “Vicente est un très gros travailleur. Il prend sur lui le plus gros de la besogne. Il a très bon cœur, il a peur de se buter à un refus de ses inférieurs : alors, souvent, il préfère faire lui-même la corvée plutôt que de demander. Il n’est pas un bon organisateur. Il est très bien vu par ses paroissiens, car ils voient qu’il se donne sans compter pour eux.”

Deux autres confrères témoignent : “J’ai connu Vicente en 1964, lorsqu’il était curé de Gasenyi, une paroisse énorme. Il avait déjà la renommée de confesseur d’une multitude de pénitents. Un missionnaire tout centré sur les choses de Dieu. Il rayonnait simplicité et une joyeuse douceur avec tous. Il était l’ami des plus humbles. Son austérité avec lui-même était le reflet de sa miséricorde envers les pauvres.” - “Vicente est assez indépendant et il a des méthodes bien à lui, difficile à se couler dans le système pastoral. Il est essentiellement accueil du pauvre, du malade, du paumé. Je lui ai laissé entendre qu’il pourrait devenir le successeur de Gérard van de Ven à l’aumônerie du grand hôpital de Bujumbura, rendez-vous de toutes les misères et de toutes les détresses. Ce serait quelque chose pour lui…”

Le lundi 13 avril 1987, Vicente est expulsé du Burundi. À cette occasion, le Père Waly Neven écrit au Provincial d’Espagne : “Un autre confrère t’arrive, fatigué. Vicente est vidé par son ministère inlassable auprès des malades et des pauvres de Bujumbura. Un vrai saint Vincent ! Un bon repos dans sa famille et un bon check-up chez les docteurs et il nous reviendra en forme. Il se crève par manque d’organisation, il se laisse déranger à toute heure du jour et de la soirée.” D’autres témoignages nous sont parvenus. - “Lorsqu’il était aumônier du grand hôpital de Bujumbura, aussi bien les confrères que les supérieurs parlaient de lui comme d’un saint Vincent de Paul. Non seulement il aidait matériellement les malades, mais il se donnait à eux, leur consacrant son temps, pour les écouter, les comprendre et partager leurs souffrances. Les malades le mangeaient !”

“D’autre part, sa prédication était simple, les gens l’écoutaient, car ils savaient que ce n’était pas des mots, qu’il parlait de ce qu’il était en train de vivre. Il était aussi un confrère agréable en communauté. Le soir, quand il venait s’asseoir auprès des autres missionnaires pour la récréation, on le sentait fatigué, mais heureux d’être avec ses confrères. Il parlait simplement de son travail, de ses contacts et cela faisait du bien à la communauté, car il nous rappelait la dure réalité sociale d’une ville comme Bujumbura.”

Le 4 août 1988, un an après son expulsion, nous trouvons Vicente au Congo, dans le diocèse de Kasongo, apprenant la langue, pour commencer comme vicaire à la paroisse de Mingana. Il n’y restera pas longtemps. Une fois enlevés les obstacles pour son retour au Burundi, Il y retourne le 6 novembre 1989.

En décembre 1990, il lance l’œuvre des aveugles à Bujumbura. Il y restera jusqu’au 1er août 1996, où il demande de retourner au Congo car, d’après le témoignage d’un de ses confrères, “les assassinats le mettaient hors de lui. Il ne pouvait pas comprendre que tant de méchanceté soit possible. Surtout lorsque les victimes étaient des gens innocents. Il n’a pas pu supporter de trouver sur son chemin des personnes assassinées et il demanda de retourner au Congo.”

En 2001, Vicente vient de compléter 50 années de sacerdoce. Il restera à Burhiba jusqu’en décembre 2002. Puis, c’est le retour définitif en Espagne. Il réside d’abord à Séville. En 2003, il suit à Rome la session pour seniors. Il retourne ensuite à Séville, jusqu’au 1er novembre 2004, date de sa nomination à Benicassim (Castellón), la nouvelle maison de repos des Pères Blancs d’Espagne. Il y passe les 7 dernières années de sa vie.

Fidèle à lui-même, Vicente a tout le temps de prier, mais sans cesser pour autant de participer à l’apostolat que les confrères de cette communauté assurent dans les environs. Il fait aussi ses promenades régulières au village, d’où il ne revient jamais sans avoir passé un long moment à l’église. Il reçoit et envoie de nombreux courriels avec son vieil ordinateur et tous les jours, à la même heure, il passe un bon moment au téléphone parlant de l’évangile du jour avec sa sœur, en lui racontant les dernières blagues qu’il avait apprises. Ses rires s’entendaient dans toute la maison.

Un désir profond l’accompagnait depuis longtemps : mourir près de sa famille. C’est ainsi qu’il passa les dernières semaines de sa vie dans la résidence des Petites Sœurs des Pauvres à Séville. Il est parti vers la maison du Père le dimanche 19 février 2012. Les funérailles ont eu lieu dans cette résidence et les cendres ont été transportées à Benicassim.

Toute sa vie, Vicente a eu le souci de donner le témoignage de l’amour infini de Dieu, manifesté principalement en Jésus Christ, son Fils, qui nous a aimés jusqu’à offrir sa vie pour nous. Il disait : “La confiance que beaucoup déposent dans le missionnaire est un stimulant pour poursuivre sur la brèche, donnant la joie et attendant ensemble la paix, que nous désirons tant. Je me sens petit devant le témoignage magnifique de nombreux chrétiens africains : leur simplicité de vie, leur patience et leur hospitalité sont admirables. Il n’y a pas de doute qu’eux, à leur tour, nous évangélisent et leur témoignage reproduit la vie de Jésus, notre Maître et notre modèle.”

Antonio Molina

Père Wenceslas de Renesse

1916 - - 2012

François-Wenceslas est né le 26 août 1916, à Sainte-Adresse près du Havre en France. Son père était officier de liaison entre le roi Albert et le gouvernement. Wen, comme on l’appelait depuis sa plus tendre enfance, appartenait à une des plus anciennes familles nobles des Flandres. La devise séculaire de la famille est ‘In Deo confido’, dont Wen dit qu’elle était “entrée dans mon sang, au point que, dans mon imaginaire enfantin, je me voyais à genoux devant le Seigneur, lui disant : “Jésus, je n’ai qu’un Roi et suzerain, c’est Toi !”

Après la guerre, la famille s’installa à Bruxelles, où le petit Wen commença l’école primaire. Il fit ses études secondaires à l’école abbatiale de Maredsous. À la fin de la rhétorique, il déclara qu’il voulait devenir Père Blanc. Son père s’y opposa et lui proposa d’aller étudier au séminaire des nobles à Rome ou d’entrer chez les Bénédictins. Finalement, avec l’accord de ses parents, il fit deux années d’étude de ‘philosophie et lettres’ à Namur.

En septembre 1936, Wen entra chez les Pères Blancs à Glimes. Un an plus tard, ce fut le noviciat à Varsenare et en septembre 1938, il entama ses études de théologie à Heverlee. En mai 1940, éclate la guerre. Wen passe par Paris et Marseille, s’arrête à Alger et gagne Carthage pour achever sa théologie. Il prononce son Serment missionnaire le 27 juin 1941 et est ordonné prêtre le 4 avril 1942. Les chemins vers l’Afrique étant coupés, on l’envoie faire du ministère à Bizerte, où il connaît les bombardements alliés et soigne les blessés civils et militaires, allemands et italiens.

En pleine guerre (1943), les supérieurs trouvent que le Père de Renesse est “un gringalet” et on décide de l’envoyer “dans un pays au climat clément” : on le laisse choisir entre le Rwanda et le Burundi. Wen choisit le premier nom qui avait été prononcé. Le 12 janvier 1944, il arrive à Rwaza, au Rwanda. C’est une région en pleine famine. Pendant huit mois, son travail se borne à distribuer des vivres, à construire un camp de réfugiés, à lutter contre le choléra… et à apprendre la langue.

Le 1er août 1947, Wen est nommé curé de Rwaza et en 1952, curé de Kabgayi. Après un bref passage au petit séminaire en 1956, il est nommé, en décembre 1957, aumônier national de l’Action catholique des enfants (principalement Xavéris) et des adultes (surtout la Légion de Marie). Il réside à Kapgayi. C’est là qu’il a l’idée d’inviter les Bénédictins de Maredsous à venir fonder un prieuré au Rwanda.

En 1961, Wen est nommé curé de Save, berceau du christianisme au Rwanda. L’arrivée des décisions liturgiques du Concile Vatican II constitue un tournant dans sa vie missionnaire. Il commence à composer les mots d’accueil, les monitions et les prières universelles pour chaque dimanche. Les paroisses voisines veulent en profiter. Il se met à ronéotyper des feuilles liturgiques pour l’animation des messes dominicales. Finalement, toutes les paroisses du Rwanda s’en inspirèrent. À la demande des évêques, les trois volumes, parus en 1985, entrèrent dans le corpus des livres liturgiques : Dusingize Imana, Rendons gloire à Dieu, années A, B et C.

Ensuite, les évêques le chargèrent de composer des célébrations pour les réunions dominicales des chrétientés éloignées. Wen y travailla pendant plusieurs années, toujours actif comme vicaire, à Cyanika (1970-1973), à Nyanza (1973-1980) et à Nyumba (1980-1986). Mis à la disposition de la Conférence épiscopale, il s’établit dans la communauté de la Maison Lavigerie à Butare (1987-1990) pour achever son travail. Résultat : Umuhimbazo wo ku cyumweru igihe umusaserdoti adahari (Animation des célébrations dominicales en l’absence de prêtre), deux volumes par cycle annuel, plus un septième pour les grandes fêtes. Il réalisa cette œuvre avec une équipe de deux prêtres rwandais et de cinq laïcs. Il écrit : “Ces livres sont l’expression d’une expérience pastorale de plus de 40 années de prédication et de ministère.”

Wen avait déjà connu quelques ennuis de santé et subi quelques opérations sérieuses. En mai 1991, après avoir terminé la rédaction d’Umuhimbazo, que l’on considère un peu comme l’œuvre de sa vie, il rentra définitivement en Belgique. Il considérait ce départ comme une nouvelle invitation du Seigneur “à avancer dans un nouveau paysage apostolique dont j’ignore les chemins…” Il est chargé de l’économat de la communauté de la rue Milcamps. En avril 1995, il rejoint la communauté d’Evere, d’abord comme assistant responsable, puis comme résident. Il multiplie les contacts avec sa famille où ses eucharisties sont fort appréciées. Entre-temps, il découvre le mouvement laïc “Fundacio” dont il devient membre, participant activement aux journées de prière et de réflexion.

Wen aimait écrire et il avait une bonne plume. En août 2001, il offre à sa famille le récit de sa vie, qu’il intitule Oncle Wen. Un ouvrage de 156 pages où il raconte sa vie, réfléchit et se livre. Quelques mois avant sa mort, “sur les instances de ma famille et d’amis”, il publie quatre volumes intitulés Murmures sur les Évangile de Marc, Luc, Matthieu et Jean. Méditations, homélies, réflexions par un Père missionnaire.

En 1990, il rédigea son testament spirituel. “Je ne suis pas un héros, mais un simple serviteur du Seigneur qui aurait pu faire beaucoup mieux. Avec les dons de l’Esprit, j’ai essayé de tracer mon sillon dans cette terre rwandaise qui m’a été départie. J’ai toujours été heureux d’occuper la place qu’on m’a donnée, petite et humble. Si j’ai été utile, c’est grâce au Seigneur. J’ai eu la vie missionnaire dont j’avais rêvée : en paroisse, près des gens… Partout j’ai été un témoin de l’Évangile, mais aussi un témoin des moissons du Seigneur. Pour cette vie, Seigneur, merci !”

Fin mars 2012, il s’était senti fort fatigué. Le Vendredi Saint, 6 avril 2012, notre confrère s’est doucement éteint. La veille au soir, il avait encore partagé un verre de vin avec ses confrères pour célébrer le sacerdoce et un confrère était resté auprès de lui – à sa demande, comme s’il avait un pressentiment – jusqu’à ce qu’il s’endorme. La liturgie d’action de grâce a eu lieu le vendredi 13 avril en l’église Saint-Vincent à Evere.

Jef Vleugels

PROFILES

Father John Verjans

1920 - - 2012

John was born at Hasselt, Belgium, on the 6th February 1920. He did his primary school with the Brothers of Charity and his secondary schooling in the Diocesan College of St. Joseph in Hasselt. When, in September 1940, he entered the White Fathers in Boechout, his parents were already dead. He did his novitiate in Varsenare followed by theological studies in Heverlee. It was there, that he took his missionary oath on the 21st April 1946, followed by ordination to the priesthood by Bishop Cleire on the 7th April 1947. His generosity, his zeal, his practical talents and his community spirit were all appreciated by the staff. However his examination results were very modest to say the least. It was feared that John might become a ‘bushman’.

John was appointed to Baudouinville (Moba, Congo) and he boarded the ‘Mar del Plata’ on the 15th October 1947 in Antwerp. In November, he got down to learning Swahili in the Junior Seminary of Lusaka (DRC) and also helped out with some teaching. In May 1948, he was appointed to Kalima as curate and a few months later to Kabalo where he was also in charge of schools. He tried to launch some youth movements along classical lines.

He wrote to the Belgian provincial: “We are only two here and there are so many things to be done that one does not know where to begin”. In September 1951, John was transferred to Kalemie (Albertville at the time) again as curate and director of schools. In September 1956, he was doing the same thing in Nyunzu. He built a church in Mateo. Everywhere, he was ready to be of assistance to the confreres who needed one or another thing to be repaired. His relationship with the white settlers was difficult. Fr. Hellemans, who was Regional at the time, mentioned that the Whites called him ‘Father Hurricane’. In 1957, he went on his first home leave and he did the Long Retreat in Mours.

John returned to Kirungu, again as curate and director of schools. From 1960 to 1967, he was the cofounder of the Parish of Lumono. Full of enthusiasm, he wrote to the Provincial: “I can tell you that the outstations can only be reached after five hours walking, climbing up and down these famous hills. Please do not prevent young confreres from coming here.” He talked enthusiastically of the Xaverian groups, of the Legion of Mary and JOC. In 1964, news coming from Kirungu caused a great deal of anxiety. John became very uneasy and could not sleep. In 1967, he returned to Belgium for health reasons. Suffering from depression, he was sent to Switzerland to rest. On his return to Belgium, he gave a helping hand fund raising at Heusy and stayed for some time in Paal in Limbourg.

In October 1969, he was able to go back to Africa. He was appointed Parish Priest of Lusaka (DRC) while at the same time being responsible for Develop­ment Projects for the Diocese. He tried to introduce ploughing with oxen in the plain of Kintunkulu but without success. He tried to drain the swampy land of the plain but this did not succeed either. In July 1976, he returned to Lumono as Parish Priest. He built a lot. He stayed there until the end of 1982. In December, he was appointed curate at Kala and six years later to Kirungu itself. His work in Kirungu was brutally interrupted by the disturbances in 1991. In October, John was evacuated with many other confreres.

In January 1992, he returned to the Congo, to try to restart everything again. However, a month later, he left for good. The Assistant Regional wrote: “It became evident that his generosity was greater than his strength. With tears in his eyes, John told me that he had decided to go back to Belgium definitively. That is very understandable after 45 years of generous commitment to the Congo. He should not be ashamed of his decision and I have tried to reassure him on this”

John spent his holiday in Genk where he underwent a series of medical examinations. He slept badly despite sleeping pills. He wrote to the Provincial: “I am not suffering, but my illness is in the mind. Everyday is martyrdom and nobody can help me.” In February 1992, John joined the community at Antwerp. Two years later, he was appointed to Varsenare. There he was to live a retiring life for nearly 15 years. He did not talk much, sometimes a little smile and from time to time a little bit of humour in his conversation. From his letters to his superiors, we can learn that John was always a man of deep faith and devotion to duty and for whom obedience was not an empty word. He had hoped to return to Limbourg, his native province, but when the Provincial told him to remain at Varsenare, he did not insist. In March 2007, John moved to ‘Avondrust’, the retirement home, because his health demanded constant care.

In the last few weeks of his life, he was never fully conscious and on the 6th May 2012, a Sunday afternoon, he fell into his last sleep.
The Mass of the Resurrection was celebrated at Varsenare on Thursday 10th May followed by burial in our cemetery.

Jef Vleugels

Faher Louis Quintard

1924 - - 2012

Louis was born on the 22nd April 1924 in St-Félix-de-Lunel, France. He had two sisters and three brothers, one of whom joined the Missions Étrangères of Paris. He studied at Saint-Laurent-d’Olt. Because he suffered from severe headaches, he was advised to spend a year resting at home (1941-1942) before beginning his Philosophical studies in Thibar.

He had hardly arrived there before he was conscripted in October 1943. Four months later, he contracted typhoid. After he recovered he was sent to England and landed in Normandy in August 1944 with the Leclerc Division. He went on to take part in the liberation of Paris on the 25th August 1944 and that of Strasbourg on the 23rd November of the same year. He was demobbed on his return to Tunis in October 1945.

He took up studies once again, and did his Spiritual Year in Carthage from the 25th September 1946. He took the missionary oath on the 27th June 1950 and was ordained priest in Carthage on the 24th March 1951. He was very much appreciated for his serious character, his availability and his work ethic.
Louis was appointed to Burundi. He arrived at Mpinga on the 1st October 1951 and began to study the local language.

On January 1953, he was transferred to the Junior Seminary of Mugera where he was to spend the rest of his first term in Africa. He did the Long Retreat at Villa Cavalletti in January 1961.

In September 1961, he was appointed to the Junior Seminary of Bujumbura. This was followed by a period as Rector from the 1st January 1966. He was elected Regional Councillor on the 1st January 1969, Assistant Regional the following May, and was appointed Regional on the 1st January 1972. This was a period of very serious troubles in Burundi and Louis worked his heart out as Regional by visiting all the communities in order to keep people informed, give reassurance and encourage the confreres. He was very hard on himself and he never hesitated to take risks even at the expense of his health. His life was a witness to his deep faith and profound convictions.

After the Chapter of 1974, he returned to Burundi in January 1975 but was struck down by typhus. He had to return to France. He then did some studies on spirituality in Frascati. Since 1967, he had used the Focolari spirituality with young people and he used this occasion to deepen his knowledge of it. Once the doctors gave him the all clear, he returned to Burundi in April 1976. He was no longer regional and so he served as curate in Kinyinya in the Diocese of Ruyigi. On September 1978, he was appointed temporary superior of the Junior Seminary of Dutwe. He was expelled, with many others, from Burundi on the 11th June 1979. While he was sorry to leave this country dear to his heart, he was happy to go back to Africa, to the neighbouring Congo.

Louis was appointed to the White Father’s 1st Cycle in Bambumines, in Ituri, on the 1st January 1980. At the week-ends, he helped those who wished to live out the Gospels more fully by a desire to discover or deepen the spirituality of the Focolari. He hoped that this would lead to a growth in vocations. Overworked, he had a heart attack which nearly killed him in December 1980.

When the 1st Cycle was transferred to Ruzizi (Bukavu) on the 2nd July 1981, he went with it as teacher and bursar. Two years later, he was given the responsibility in the Diocese of Kalemie of training candidates of the Brothers of the Incarnate Word, a new congregation founded in Shaba. At the same time, he was bursar of Kirungu and Parish Priest of Kapulo. He regretted leaving Bukavu because the Bishop of Kalemie-Kirungu, Bishop Kaseba, did not allow any groups other than the Kisito-Anwarite group in his Diocese. In November 1984, there was a fresh outbreak of murderous violence in the region which deeply upset Louis. His home leave was all the more welcome.

On his return on the 30th December 1985, Louis was appointed to Goma, to the great displeasure of Bishop Kaseba. He became curate in the parish of the Holy Spirit. In October 1988, he was appointed Superior of Maison Lavigerie, also in Goma, a guest house where everything needed to be done from the material point of view. Thanks to him, the Focolari movement grew in size and the Bishop appointed him as chaplain at the end of 1989. Louis threw himself into the work, increasing the training sessions, despite the troubles that broke out in 1991 and the increasing misery in the country. He made a thoughtful analysis of the political and social causes of these troubles during these years of intense activity. He had to return twice to France for medical check ups and for a sinus operation in 1993 and 1995.

In 1994, the Rwandan crisis overflowed into Goma with its unimaginable misery. Louis did what he could to help people. He wrote: “These distressing situations (and I have known others) give me a new reason to live and motivate me in my old age”. On the 15th June 1996, he was appointed to the staff of Foyer Ngongo, Goma, for the formation of aspiring missionaries. On the 22nd April 1997, he was savagely beaten by an armed group who stole money and materials.

After his convalescence in France, he returned to the Foyer on the 1st October 1997 as bursar as well as continuing his work with the Focolari. From the 1st November 2000, this was to be his sole ministry. When the people saw him coming back despite the warning of the French Ambassa­dor, a Congolese told him: “If you have come back, it is because you love us.” In March 2001, he had to return to France, once more, for more check ups and a cataract operation. On the 9th June 2002, a volcanic eruption damaged the foyer and ruined the city. He accepted under obedience to return to France for good.

He placed himself at the disposal of the French province, from October at the reception in rue Friant and then, in 2003, in Strasbourg. On the 25th September 2003, he took up the position of chaplain to the retirement home of the Missionary Sisters of our Lady of Africa in Verrières-le-Buisson. Two years later, he was appointed to Tassy where he undertook some outside ministry while at the same time helping the handicapped confreres. He looked after everybody and did his best to be with confreres in the last moments of their lives. He said that his comfort was to spend an hour and a half in the morning to pray the mysteries of the rosary. However, changes in the running of the house disturbed him and he asked to go elsewhere. On the 1st January 2011, he took up residence in Billère and although he enjoyed community life, he could no longer find his way around. It was in a hospital in Pau that the Lord called him to Himself on the 18th July 2012.

A handwritten note revealed the depth of his faith and how it was marked by the Focolari movement: “I offer my life for all the lacunae in my spiritual and apostolic life. I offer it in particular for the Church in Africa so that the ideal of unity might spread to all of Africa. I offer it for unity in and between all the religious and priestly communities, in families, in small Christian communities and between the separated Churches, and between races and nations. I pray that countries at war may find peace by reconciliation so that all may be One and that the world might believe! I am convinced that I would have done more good by my suffering and death than by my work in the apostolate. I place myself in Mary’s care, the Mother of Jesus and of the Church, who has always shown her maternal love for me.”

His funeral was celebrated in the chapel of Billère on the 20th July 2012 in a setting of thanksgiving for the life of this great missionary.

Armand Duval

See also : Biographie de la vie du Père Louis Quintard M.Afr (+18 juillet 2012 France)
sur le site France PB

Father François Salaün

1927 - - 2012

Francois was born on the 24th September 1927 at Dirinon in Basse-Breta­gne, France. He was baptised the next day and received the sacrament of confirmation on the 10th April 1937. His parents died prematurely and left eight small children. It was his sister, who reared the family. Deciding to become a White Father like his brother Noel (+1998), he did his secondary studies in Saint-Laurent-d’Olt and at Bonnelles. He did his military service from 1947 to 1948. He then entered the philosophy house at Kerlois and began his Spiritual Year at Maison-Carre on the 27th September 1950. He was sent to s’Heerenberg for theology where he took the missionary oath on the 21st July 1954. He was ordained priest at Monteviot (Scotland) on the 26th May 1955.

He was appointed to Upper-Volta. During all the years of his studies, the comments of the formators were very flattering: good student, consciencious, gifted for languages and a gifted handyman for practical work. Even though he was a bit shy and sensitive, he was well liked in community. He was foreseen for teaching at the junior seminary and that was where he was appointed. However he had aspirations to live in the bush, so he started to learn Mooré during the summer holidays of 1957 at Bam. From then on he alternated his courses with regular ministry in the outstation of Saba.

On the 23rd June 1959, because of persistent headaches, he returned to Nantes, then to Kerlois for some rest. He was appointed there on the 12th July 1960 as formator of the brothers and bursar of the seminary. He was hardly pleased with this appointment so he was happy to return to Upper-Volta, to Ouahi­gouya, after having done the long retreat in Villa Cavaletti, in September 1963. He studied the language at CELA in Guilongou.

He was appointed on the 1st February 1964 as Diocesan Treasurer, then he went to Bourganza on the 30th November 1967, before returning to Ouahigouya as diocesan bursar on the following 1st July. When he was on holiday in France from the 1st July 1968, he chose to live the life of a worker priest for a trial period of six months. From the 1st January 1970, he lived outside of community in the port of Le Havre. He was welcomed and advised by the priests of the Mission de France. He spent the evenings after work with the many Africans of the city.

The priest of the Mission de France who had guided his beginnings, Fr. Claude Huret, professed himself to be very happy with the outcome. He wrote to Fr. Boinot: ‘His past, his love for the African workers, his concern for a life of poverty and to be close to people by sharing their conditions of work, his knowledge of the African mentality, all that predisposes him to this infinitely important task in a city like ours with its large African community’.

It would require a book to give an account of the not very typical but passionate way of life of our confrere. When it was remarked that his links with the Province seemed to be getting a bit loose, he defended himself by saying: ‘I am anxious to tell you that I remain attached to the Society to which I owe a big part of my life and to live what we live here. I owe my love for Africa to the Society and I continue to serve it here in a simple but demanding way. Certainly a gap has opened up. I am no longer on the same wavelength regarding a number of things. Working in lowly surroundings, daily contact with colleagues who are active members of the Communist Party, the daily encounter with unjust situations, all that, makes a mark on you, forms you, changes your convictions, including those of your faith.’ He did say that he received with joy the Mini Link which kept him up to date with the life of the Province.

On the 15th April 1999, another worker priest from Le Havre came with him for a visit to rue Friant. He told us of Francois’ life: in his first parish of Graville, he was, by turns, a labourer in a small garage repairing bicycles and mopeds, and a scrap merchant in a salvage company. He, then, went to live in the Chauvin housing estate populated by Africans mainly. It was in fact a slum. He shared a room with a young Algerian in very difficult circumstances.

Later, around Pentecost 1970, he joined the ‘l’Union Franco-Africaine des Neiges’ which was founded by Claude Huret who had constructed huts to house Africans. Francois was interested because it was Africa but another Africa. From then on, he took part in the fight of worker priests along with other activists of different outlooks and different beliefs in trying to break down the barriers, by living together in a pluralist society without wishing to dominate or to convert anybody at any price. To be oneself without hiding one’s opinions but accepting that others take another path, that was his life.

From April 1970 to June 1971, Francois worked at I.P.S. (les Éditions de l’Institut Propo Sciences) as an offset printer. The company employed 15 workers of whom 13 were young girls aged from 16 to 18 years of age. This was his first experience of trade unionism and it cost him harassment and obnoxious calumnies from the management and led to his sacking. On a lighter side, he was immediately offered employment at CIVA, immediately opposite I.P.S. This was a company that imported meat from Great Britain. Francois was the delivery man, bookkeeper and interpreter for the English suppliers.

These two jobs opened the doors to C.E. Renault who took him on as a bookkeeper of this big company where the management and trade unions were happy to make use of his African background because many Africans worked there. Francois wanted to know the reason why so many Africans were emigrating and, in 1974, he made an extended trip of 28 days to Senegal. He was warmly welcomed and stayed with families. On his return, he enthusiastically took up work and life in the Neiges district, fighting with the people against all sorts of nuisances, threats of deportation and other troubles.

He retired on the 1st November 1994 and decided to remain in Le Havre close to his brothers of many backgrounds. A bad fall, on the 3rd December 2009, meant he was immobilised for 42 days. Despite the devotion of Madam Monique Pen, who looked after him in his last years, the wear and tear of his life caught up with him and on the 5th July 2012, the Lord called this servant of the unimportant, forgotten ones of the consumer society, the preferential ones of Jesus.

The funeral took place in the Church of Notre-Dame des Neiges in Le Havre and his numerous friends sang of his life: ‘If you untie the links of servitude. If you free your chained brother... night will be turned into the light of midday... then your hands can bring to life the source of life for the world of tomorrow... the world of God’ At the final farewell ‘which one of us will find a better world? Where the world will be a world of love... a spring morning, the last road which will take blacks and whites hand in hand’

One of the Assistants expressed the feelings of everybody: we loved your face; we saw all of you there, friendship, anger, sometimes, when faced with stupidity... furious when faced with carelessness or injustice.Your silent face when you received bad news from your family or when a long standing African friend such as Pierrot died accidentally. Looking at your sick face we were helpless. Yes, François we loved your face in all its variety. It will disappear from our view but, unseen, will be always present in our hearts’.

Armand Duval

Brother Béat Moret
1921 - - 2012

Brother Béat was born on the 18th March 1921 in Bulle (Canton of Fribourg), Switzerland. He was the youngest child in a family of four boys and one girl. His father died when he was only a few months old. After primary school, he did an apprenticeship for carpentry and cabinet maker. He practiced this profession for thirty years while all the time feeling attracted by a missionary vocation with the Missionaries of Africa where his cousin Fr. Aloys Moret already served.

Béat finally answered the call of God at the age of 51 years. He began his novitiate in Fribourg and despite the difference in ages, he got on well with the group of novices. In 1973, he was sent to Kabgayi (Rwanda) to direct the carpentry shop of the Diocese. When he returned to Switzerland, he took his final missionary oath on the 8th August 1976.

Béat spent 18 years in Kabgayi and he soon showed his talent as an organiser. This simple worker had hardly arrived when he was put in charge of an enterprise of more than 100 workers. Complete confidence was put in him. He was free to move around and take his own decisions while being responsible for everything: machines, finances, planning of work, paying salaries, training young people.

When he returned home for some weeks of rest, he was always ready to help his brother, Aloys, in his workshop. In addition to his skill as a carpenter, he discovered a hidden talent for sculpture and taught himself. He, generously, gave away many of his works and he sculpted a Way of the Cross for his home Parish of Neirvue where he was sacristan for many years.

Béat summed up his stay in Rwanda by saying one day: “I believe that I have really done my best; when the time came to leave Rwanda, I took away not only many good memories, but I also had the satisfaction of instructing many good carpenters who will be able to continue the work for the good of all the country”.

A new stage of life opened up for him. It was in Jerusalem and was to last for nearly 14 years. He arrived there in 1991. His principal job was to maintain the Seminary of Sainte-Anne. The buildings were more than 100 years old and Béat proved himself to be very competent in his work. He repaired doors and windows, painted rooms, made chairs, tables and any other types of furniture that needed replacing or repairing, not to mention electrical installations. Times of conflict brought extra work, such as reinforcing windows during the demonstrations of December 2000.

He was very happy to welcome a pilgrimage from his native region of Gruyere. Among the pilgrims were his brother and his wife with whom he spent an unforgettable day on the shores of the Dead Sea. On many occasions, he joined those taking part in the sessions to visit Galilee or the Sinai region. Above all, he liked to go to the Holy Sepulchre, the Cenacle, or Gethsemane to meditate quietly in silence. He said: “It is a grace to be able to pray where the Lord suffered died and instituted the Eucharist.”

In 2005, he was feeling more and more tired and he had problems with his heart and rheumatism which, up to then, he had managed without too much difficulty. He was also getting forgetful. Béat was invited by his superiors to return home to Switzerland for good. He was very attached to his work in the Holy Land, but he eventually accepted. He joined the community at Veyras and was to live there until he was admitted to St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, near by, for the final days of his life. It was there that the Lord called him on the 10th August 2012.

When a confrere heard of his death, he said: “He was a good and peace loving person who now supports us, in another way, in the house”. All those who knew him have a memory of a devoted and discreet confrere who gave himself completely to the mission.

Jean-Marie Gabioud

 

Father Louis Schoofs

1920 - - 2012

Louis was born on the 15th October 1920 in Beringen, Limburg Province, Belgium. His family was profoundly Christian. His father worked above ground in a coal mine; he also managed a small farm. The household consisted of three boys and three girls. Louis did his secondary school studies in the local College of St. Joseph.

Louis entered the White Fathers in Boechout in 1939. He did his novitiate in Varsenare followed by theological studies in Heverlee where he took his missionary oath on the 1st April 1945. He was ordained priest on the 22nd April 1946. His sister Rosa became a member of A.F.I. (then called Aide Feminine Internatio­nale) and is actually working in Cairo. His younger brother, Joseph, also joined the White Fathers but was eventually laicised. Louis’ professors described him as generous, enthusiastic, energetic and a hard worker but also, as being very sensitive. When he was doing his theological studies, it was also noted that his health was rather fragile.

He was appointed to Lake Albert in the Ituri region of the now DRC. On the 13th November 1946, he boarded the Mar del Plata at Antwerp. On the 17th December he arrived in Bunia. In April 1947, he was appointed as curate and in charge of schools at Logo, where he also studied the local language, Alur.

However, in May 1952, he was sent to the Junior Seminary at Kilo-Mines as teacher and bursar. The Regional of the time wrote of him: “He seems to be a good teacher and his courses in Dutch seem to be very much appreciated by the students”.

However, this same Regional also remarked that he had to see a doctor frequently. During his home leave in 1956, he consulted many doctors both in Antwerp and Louvain. He did his Long Retreat in Mours in 1957. At the end of the year he was appointed bursar in Verviers (rue de Broux) and also did ministry in many parishes.

As a return to Africa seemed to be out of the question because of his health, Louis applied to join the Army Vicariate. In December 1959, he was appointed to the Belgian Army in Germany at Weiden not far from Cologne. He was chaplain to about 1,500 young recruits who were stationed there for about two months, far from their families. He wrote, “The Chaplain is like a surrogate father, they come to me for a 1001 personal matters.” The conscripts could come to his office for a chat and a cigarette, something they could not do with their officers. Bishop Cammaert, the Chief chaplain of the Belgian Army said of him “He does great priestly work.”

Louis felt very much at home in his apostolate. In 1985, Louis wrote to the Provincial: “Whoever accompanies people, does not need a lot of knowledge, but rather an empathy which bases itself on the ordinary sentiments of ordinary people (which we all are) namely love, friendship, happiness, cares, suffering in all its forms, duties to be done,etc. Beginning from there, he will be able to reveal the mystery of human existence and allow the Spirit of Jesus of Nazareth to enter in”.

At this time, the Missionaries of Africa did not know what to do with confreres, who still young, were considered not able to return to Africa. This was Louis’ case. Later he wrote: “When I left, 22 years ago, to go as chaplain to the Army in Belgium, the White Fathers, humanly speaking, did not treat me very well. I have taken some hard knocks! No one ever invited me to visit any White Father house as I was a bad example for the others! Now, I would say: ‘I was thrown out but my oath – my birth as a White Father – could not be taken away from me’. The diaspora in Belgium is a long story. The young do not know anything about it, and that’s a pity because history is a good teacher of life”.

The Provincial, after having consulted with the General Council of the time, demanded that Louis return to Belgium to join a community. However there were no vacancies for military chaplains in Belgium at the time. Years passed and, not knowing what to do, Louis asked for exclaustration for three years with a view to incardination into the Diocese of Liege. Official permission came from Rome on the 21st April 1967.

After three years, Louis tore up the letter making official his transfer to the Diocese. He remained a White Father. Each time he spoke of this episode in his life, tears came to his eyes.
In November 1967, Louis was appointed to the Headquarters of the Belgian Armed Forces in Weiden, Germany. In January 1971, he was transferred to the Air force base at Beauvechain. He was to spend another fifteen years as military chaplain.

At the end of 1985, Louis left the Army saying: “I was very happy there; it was a milieu where one was welcomed and one found one’s place, close to people and, with the other military chaplains, we formed a very fraternal group” From these days he kept many friends and good relationships.

Louis retired to an apartment in Brussels. He kept up his contacts with his old colleagues and did some ministry here and there. In November 2007, he took up residence in the Sainte-Anne Nursing Home in Beringen. As long as he was able, he ministered to the other residents of the Home and visited the confreres in Genk, the nearest White Father community. These also visited him regularly. Right up to the end, Louis remained very much his own man: kind, friendly, pleasant, sensitive, and grateful and a missionary in his heart.

Louis died on the 26th April 2012. The funeral Mass was celebrated on the 3rd May 2012 at the Church of Notre Dame of Fatima in Bret-Gelieren followed by burial at our cemetery in Varsenare.

Jef Vleugels

 

Father Vicente Rodriguez Garcia de Castro

1922 - - 2012

Vicente was the only boy of three children in the family of Dr. Vicente Rodriguez Alcain. His father practiced medicine in Lucena del Puerto, in Andalusia, Spain. Vicente was born on the 6th December 1922 and he was baptised on the 21st January 1923. His childhood was passed in his native village. In October 1942, he entered the Major Seminary of Seville for philosophical studies and, in October 1945, he began Theological studies. From 1946, he was in contact with the White Fathers and after he had completed his second year of theology, Fr. Charles Merry sent him to the novitiate.

In August 1947, Vicente left Seville with four other young Spaniards for the novitiate in Maison-Carre. At the end of the spiritual year on 11th November 1948, the novice master Fr. Jean Baptiste Blin said of him: ‘A solid and serious piety, unassuming, regular. A very good subject gifted with very good judgement, reflective, measured; easy and loyal relationships. He shows a number of very good qualities’.

Vicente had already done two years of theology at Seville; so the professors at the Scholasticate gave him a programme to complete his theological studies. He took the missionary oath on the 20th January 1950 in Carthage and he was ordained priest at Thibar on the 28th June 1950. He was appointed to Burundi. Vicente remarked on this appointment as follows: ‘Ordained priest, I was appointed to Burundi, a Central African country in the Great Lakes region. It was in 1951 and since that time, except for two periods in Spain for missionary promotion, I was in Burundi until 1987. After a stay in the Congo (Zaire), I returned there in 1991 and stayed until 1996. In all, 44 years of missionary activity in this country.’

In Burundi, he worked in many dioceses, notably in the parishes of Gitega, Rumeza, Rusengo, Gitongo, Kasenyi, Gasenyi, Gatara, Buraniro, Mukere, Ruganza, Mukenke and Giheta. We have some reports regarding his commitment, generosity and limits. ‘Vicente is a great worker. He takes on the biggest jobs. He has a big heart. He is afraid of being refused by those working for him, so he often prefers to do the job himself rather than ask somebody else to do it. He is not a very good organiser. He is popular with the parishioners because they appreciate that he works for them without thinking of himself’.

Two other confreres said of him: ‘I knew Vicente in 1964, when he was parish priest of Gasenyi, an enormous parish. He already had a big reputation as a confessor to a multitude of penitents. He was a missionary focussed on the things of God. He radiated simplicity and joyful gentleness with everybody. He was friend to the humblest. His personal austerity was a sign of his compassion for the poor’. Another confrere said: ‘Vicente is quite independent and he has his own particular ways of doing things. He has difficulties in fitting into the pastoral system. He welcomes the poor, the sick and the lost. I let him know that he could become the successor to Gerard van de Ven as chaplain to the principal hospital of Bujumbura where he would have an opportunity to meet all the poor and those in distress. It would be something for him’

On Monday the 13th April 1987, Vicente was expelled from Burundi by the Government. Fr. Waly Neven wrote to the Spanish Provincial: ‘Another very tired confrere is arriving. Vicente is worn out by his unremitting ministry with the sick and poor of Bujumbura. He is a real St. Vincent! A good rest with his family and thorough check up with the Doctors and he will be ready to come back to us in good form. He is worn out by his lack of organisation, he allows himself to be disturbed at all hours of the day and night’.

Other confreres testified: ‘When he was chaplain to the big hospital of Bujumbura, his superiors and confreres described him as being like St. Vincent de Paul. Not only did he materially help the sick, but he gave himself completely to them, giving his time to listen to them, to understand them and to share their sufferings. He is consumed by the sick!’

‘On the other hand his preaching was simple, the people listened to him because they knew that it was not just mere words but that he spoke about what they were actually living. He was agreeable in community. In the evening when he came to sit with the other missionaries for recreation, one sensed his weariness: he was happy to be with his confreres. He talked simply about his work, of his contacts and that did the community good because it reminded them of the harsh social reality of a city such as Bujumbura’.
On the 4th August 1988, one year after his expulsion, we find Vicente in the Congo, in the Diocese of Kasongo. He was learning the language before beginning to work in the parish of Mingana as a curate. He was not there for very long.

Once the obstacles preventing him from returning to Burundi were lifted, he returned there on the 6th November 1989. In December 1990, he launched his project for the blind in Bujumbura. He stayed there until 1st August 1996 when he asked to return to the Congo. One of his confreres gave the reason he wanted to leave: ‘The assassinations upset him very much. He could not understand how so much evil could be possible, especially when the victims were innocent people. He was not able to bear the fact of finding murdered people on the road and he asked to go back to the Congo’

In 2001, Vicente celebrated 50 years of priesthood. He stayed at Burhiba until December 2002. He then returned to Spain for good. He stayed, first of all, in Seville. In 2003, he came to Rome for the Seniors Session. He went back to Seville and stayed there until 1st November 2004, when he was appointed to the new house for the elderly in Spain at Benicassim (Castellon). He was to spend the last seven years of his life there.

Faithful to himself, Vicente had all the time for prayer but he also took part in the apostolic activities which the house undertook in the neighbourhood. He took regular walks in the village and he never returned home without paying a long visit to the Church. He sent and received many emails on his ancient computer and, always, at the same hour every day, he would have a long telephone conversation with his sister, talking about the gossip of the day and telling her the latest jokes he had picked up. His laugh could be heard all over the house.

He had, for a long time, a deep desire to die close to his family. Therefore, the last few weeks of his life were spent in the residence of the Little Sisters of the Poor in Seville. He left for the house of the Father on Sunday 19th February 2012. The funeral took place in the residence of the Little Sisters and his ashes were brought to Benicassim.

All his life, Vicente had the wish to give a witness to the infinite love of God, revealed principally by Jesus Christ, His Son, who loved us to the point of offering his life for us. He said: ‘The confidence that many people have in the missionary is a good reason to continue to be on the go, giving joy while waiting for peace that everybody wants so much. I feel very small before the magnificent testimony of many African Christians; their simple life style, their patience, and their hospitality are admirable. There is no doubt that they, in their turn, will evangelise us and their witness will recreate the life of Jesus our Master and our model.

Antonio Molina

Farher Wenceslas de Renesse

1916 - - 2012

Francois-Wenceslas, was born on the 26th August 1916 in Sainte-Adresse, near Le Havre in France. His father was liaison officer between King Albert and the Government. From his early childhood he was called ‘Wen’ and he belonged to one of the oldest noble families of Flanders. The motto of the family is ‘In Deo confido’ and Wen remarked that it was in his blood to the point that in his childish imagination, he saw himself on his knees before the Lord telling him ‘Jesus, I have only one King and Sovereign, it is You!’

After the war, the family moved to Brussels, where little Wen began primary school. He did his secondary school studies in the Abbey school of Maredsous. In the penultimate year of his studies, he declared that he wished to join the White Fathers. His father opposed this and proposed that he go to the special seminary in Rome for aristocrats or that he join the Benedictines. In the end, with the agreement of his parents, he did two years of studies in Philosophy and Letters in Namur.

In September 1936, Wen joined the White Fathers in Glimes. A year later, he entered the spiritual year in Varsenare and in 1938, he began his philosophical studies in Heverlee. In 1940, the war broke out and Wen, going via Paris and Marseilles, stopped in Algiers and arrived in Carthage where he completed his theological studies. He took his missionary oath on the 27 June 1941 and was ordained priest on the 4th April 1942. As all routes to Africa were cut, he was sent to do some ministry in Bizerte. There he experienced the Allied bombardments and he nursed the wounded.

Because of the war, the superiors found that Fr. De Renesse was rather scrawny and decided to send him ‘to a country with a more clement climate’. Wen chose Rwanda . He arrived in Rwaza on the 12th January 1944. At the time, there was a serous famine and for eight months, his work was to distribute food, to build refugee camps and to fight cholera… and to learn the language.

On the 1st August 1947, Wen was made Parish priest of Rwaza and, in 1952, of Kabgayi. After a brief time in the junior seminary in 1956, he was appointed, in December 1957, as national chaplain for Catholic Action for children and for adults. It is while he was there that he had the idea to invite the Benedictines of Mared­sous to found a priory in Rwanda.

In 1961, Wen was appointed Parish Priest of Save, the cradle of Christianity in Rwanda. With the Liturgical reform of the 60s, as a result of the Second Vatican Council, he found a turning point in his missionary career. He began to compose liturgical texts for the Mass for each Sunday. He began to duplicate the liturgical sheets to help the organisation of the Sunday masses in the neighbouring parishes. Finally, all the parishes in Rwanda benefited from this initiative. At the request of the Bishops, the three volumes for the years A.B.C were officially approved in 1985 and published under the title: “Dusingize Imana” (Let us give thanks to God).

Then the Bishops asked him to compose liturgical celebrations for Christian communities without a resident priest. Wen spent several years working on that project. He remained active as a curate, serving in Cyanika (1970-1973), then at Nyanza (1973-1980) and at Nyumba (1980-1986). In order to complete this work, he was seconded to the Bishops’ Conference and lived in the community of Maison Lavigerie in Butare from 1987 to 1990. The result was ‘Umuhimbazo’, ‘Sunday Celebra­tions without a Priest’, two volumes for each annual cycle plus a seventh book for the big feasts. He carried out this work with a team of two Rwandan priests and five lay people. These books were the result of 40 years of pastoral experiences in ministry and preaching.

Wen already had some health problems and had had a number of serious operations. In the beginning of 1991, when he had finally completed to write ‘Umuhimbazo’, what was considered to be his lifelong work, Wen agreed to return to Belgium for good. He thought of this departure as a new invitation from the Lord ‘to move forward to a new apostolic setting not knowing the way’. He was appointed bursar of the community in rue Milcamps (Brussels). In April 1995, he joined the Evere community as assistant superior and then as a resident. He increased the contacts with his family and his Eucharistic celebrations and interventions were very much appreciated. In the meantime, he had discovered the lay movement ‘Fundacio’ and became a member.

Wen loved to write and he wrote well. In August 2001, he wrote for his family the account of his life. It was entitled: ‘Oncle Wen’: a work of 156 pages, where he told his life story, reflections and confidences. A few months before his death, ‘at the insistence of his family and friends,’ he published, in four volumes, a work called ‘Murmures sur les Évangile de Marc, Luc, Matthieu et Jean. Méditations, homélies, réflexions par un Père missionnaire’.

In 1990, he had composed his spiritual testament: “I am not a hero, but a simple servant of the Lord who could have done so much more… With the gift of the Spirit, I have tried to plough my furrow in this land of Rwanda, which was assigned to me. I was always happy to occupy the small and humble place that was given to me. If I was useful then, it was thanks to the Lord. I had a missionary life that I had dreamed of: in parishes, close to the people... Everywhere, I have been a witness to the Gospel, but also a witness to the abundance of the Lord. For this life, I say: Thank you Lord!”

At the end of March, he felt extremely tired. On Good Friday, 6th April 2012, he died peacefully. The evening before he had had a glass of wine with the confreres to celebrate an anniversary of ordination. He asked someone to stay with him until he fell asleep. It was as if he had some sort of premonition. The Liturgy of celebration for his life took place on the 13th April in the Church of St. Vincent in Evere.

Jef Vleugels