Alfred est né le 11 mai 1920 à Fürth en Allemagne. Après sa première éducation, Alfred étudie deux ans à l’école secondaire de Fürth. En 1932, il entre au petit séminaire de la Société à Zaitzkofen et il complète son éducation secondaire au petit séminaire de Grosskrotzenburg. Il obtient son baccalauréat en 1939. Peu après, il est enrôlé dans le service national. Il lui est permis, cependant, de commencer ses études philosophiques à Trèves, la même année.En mars 1941, il termine la philosophie avec succès.

Alors que la deuxième guerre mondiale se poursuit, Alfred est enrôlé dans l’armée et il est envoyé au front de Russie. Quand son régiment capitula, chaque soldat tenta alors d’atteindre l’Ouest par lui-même ; Alfred s’échappa au travers des forêts. Là, des partisans l’ont trouvé endormi et l’ont remis aux Russes. Prisonnier de guerre, les souffrances, le travail d’esclave et les privations l’ont marqué profondément. C’est difficile d’imaginer combien cette personne cultivée, pacifique et délicate a dû souffrir de cette cruelle expérience de guerre et au long de sa détention. Il a survécu grâce à sa foi et à sa bonne santé. Tout au long de sa vie, Alfred a été profondément enraciné dans une foi mature, mais sa santé est restée très affectée.

Alors qu’ils cheminaient en Russie, les prisonniers allemands ont rencontré un prêtre franciscain tchèque qui célébra la messe pour eux. Ce fut la première et dernière eucharistie pendant le temps de captivité d’Alfred. Il dira plus tard qu’il a vécu par l’énergie de cette nourriture non pas pendant 40 jours mais pendant plus de quatre ans. Il considéra comme une grâce le fait d’avoir disposé d’une copie du Nouveau Testament tout au long des années de sa captivité. Avec le Nouveau Testament, il avait un livre contenant Jésus-Christ lui-même. Ce livre fut confisqué ou volé plusieurs fois, mais il en a toujours reçu une copie en retour, parfois avec les psaumes. Il a reçu ainsi la force de la Parole de Dieu. Les psaumes lui ont donné les mots qui lui ont permis d’exprimer sa condition devant Dieu. Plus tard, Alfred expliqua que le temps passé en captivité avait été son vrai noviciat ; c’était un temps durant lequel il a été le plus ouvert à la Parole de Dieu.

En septembre 1949, Alfred est finalement libéré. Comme c’est l’habitude en ce temps, la Société ne voit pas la nécessité d’un temps prolongé de repos ou pour traiter un traumatisme. Il commence sa formation théologique à Trèves un mois seulement après son retour de Russie. Après une année à Trèves, il fait son noviciat à s’Heerenberg, suivi de trois ans de théologie. Ses formateurs apprécient sa piété authentique, son calme et son tempérament amical ainsi que son intelligence, davantage tournée vers la spéculation que le côté pratique. Ils notent qu’il est aussi très consciencieux. Il fait son Serment missionnaire à s’Heerenberg le 22 juillet 1953. Il part ensuite au scolasticat de Monteviot en Écosse où il est ordonné prêtre le 10 juin 1954.

En ce temps-là, la Société a besoin de professeurs qualifiés pour ses écoles en Allemagne. Alfred est spécialement doué pour les langues anciennes. Il est donc nommé pour étudier le latin et le grec, ainsi que la pédagogie à l’université de Francfort. Avant de commencer un temps d’enseignant à l’essai à Francfort, on lui offre un bref voyage au Ghana. De 1962 à 1964, il enseigne au petit séminaire de Rietberg en tant que professeur qualifié. Il est ensuite nommé à son ancienne école de Grosskrotzenburg. Comprenant rapidement ce qui est expliqué, il a une certaine difficulté à accepter que les élèves continuent à faire des erreurs après ses explications exhaustives. En septembre 1966, ses supérieurs le nomment préfet de notre internat à Amberg, en Bavière.

En 1970, quand nos petits séminaires sont fermés, Alfred est nommé à Cologne. Il y fonde un service d’information de la Société. Travaillant de façon méthodique et organisée, il produit des documents de recherche intéressants et éclairants. De nombreuses années durant, il publie IFI (Information pour ceux qui ont à informer au sujet de l’Afrique). Les divers livrets traitent de thèmes africains pertinents, ou donnent des descriptions détaillées de nations africaines. Ses publications sont utiles pour les animateurs qui veulent aider les gens à connaître l’Afrique. Malheureuse­ment, il n’a jamais été possible à un plus large public d’accéder à ses publications.

Alfred aimait collectionner beaucoup de choses : articles, publications utiles pour son service d’information, ainsi que des timbres postaux. La vente de ses collections de valeur lui a permis de contribuer financièrement à la mission en Afrique. En vacances, il suivait souvent ses intérêts culturels. Il visitait les musées et, à l’occasion, il était un guide apprécié en des lieux d’intérêts historiques. Ses homélies avaient une profondeur spirituelle, étaient bien conçues et intéressantes. Fragile, Alfred devait limiter ses prédications à nos communautés.

Les années passées au front et en captivité ont laissé de profondes blessures dans sa santé physique et psychologique. Il a souffert toute sa vie d’une santé fragile. Il a accepté ses limites dans un esprit de foi profonde, et n’est pas devenu un fardeau pour les autres. C’était un confrère prévenant et plaisant. Il était calme, toujours prêt à engager une conversation, d’une oreille attentive et de bon cœur.

À 88 ans, Alfred est nommé dans notre nouvelle communauté fondée dans un home pour personnes âgées. Il décéda là-bas le 1er février et fut enterré dans le cimetière principal de Trèves, le 7 février 2013, dans l’espace réservé aux membres de notre Société.

À l’occasion de son jubilé d’or de sacerdoce, Alfred avait relu ses expériences de prisonnier de guerre et de Missionnaire d’Afrique en citant le psaume 118 : “Non, je ne mourrai pas, je vivrai et publierai les œuvres de Dieu ; il m’a corrigé, mais il ne m’a pas laissé mourir… Rendez grâce au Seigneur, car il est bon, car éternel est son amour !”

Rolf Wigger

Père Pedro Pérez Gadea

1929 - - 2012

Pedro naît le 24 mars 1929, à Minglanilla, Espagne, appelée la Porte de Castille, étant frontière entre deux régions presque opposées: l’austère Castilla-La Mancha, avec un climat sévère, et la montagne de Valencia, avec plaines et vallées vers la Méditerranée, de climat tempéré et riche en couleurs. Ce contraste est présent dans la personnalité de Pedro : homme droit, silencieux, austère et à la fois agréable, ayant le sens de l’humour et un sourire spontané.

Il fait ses études primaires au village ; le secondaire, il le commence à Requena et le termine à Valencia. Après son bac, il entre en philosophie au séminaire de Cuenca. Il s’orientait vers les franciscains, quand il rencontre un Père Blanc qui suscite en lui le désir de devenir Missionnaire d’Afrique.

Après la philo, Pedro fait deux années de théologie à Cuenca, où il reçoit les deux premiers ordres mineurs. En juillet 1951, il rejoint le noviciat à Maison-Carrée et en septembre 1952, il finit la théologie à Thibar-Carthage ; il prononce son serment missionnaire le 12 avril 1954 et, après son ordination sacerdotale le 18 du même mois, il part au Mozambique.

Pedro apprend rapidement le portugais à Lisbonne et s’initie au ministère. Il part sur le paquebot ‘Patria’ vers Beira, arrivant en octobre 1955. Pendant huit mois, il étudie le chisena à Murraça, puis il part pour Gorongosa, où il parlera une langue proche du chisena. Il s’y trouve heureux parmi des montagnards accueillants.

En mai 1963, Pedro fait la grande retraite à la Villa Cavaletti. Retourné au diocèse de Beira, il est nommé supérieur à Chemba, puis nous le trouvons à Manga. Pendant plusieurs années, il s’y consacre à la catéchèse d’adultes et à l’animation des communautés chrétiennes. Il connaissait bien la langue et les gens se plaisaient à l’écouter. Ses homélies étaient vivantes. Ses conversations étaient agréables et pleines de bonté. Il avait beaucoup d’amis, parmi les colons et les Mozambicains, riches et pauvres. Ceux-ci étaient ses préférés. Avec eux, il se trouvait très heureux.

“Le Concile Vatican II a un souci marqué pour l’homme et sa dignité, soulignant le devoir de reconnaître que tous doivent jouir des mêmes droits, dignité et respect que les riches et les puissants.”

La décade de 1960 marque aussi une étape importante pour de nombreux pays africains. Ce sont les années des indépendances et la fin des colonies. L’indépendance se présentait comme la porte du progrès. Les colonies portugaises, “provinces du Portugal”, ne pouvaient pas y songer.

Cette double circonstance suscita en nos confrères du Mozambique un regard nouveau sur ce qu’ils vivaient dans le système colonial du Portugal. Ils se questionnèrent sur la légitimité des attitudes et des actions dans lesquels ils étaient impliqués, collaborant avec une Église soumise à un gouvernement qui imposait des lois discriminatoires et injustes. Au moment de prendre une décision, tous les confrères n’étaient pas du même avis. Abandonner le pays n’allait pas dans la ligne d’un homme amical et plein de bonté comme Pedro. Pour lui, c’était abandonner “son” pays et “ses” gens. Il lutta contre cette option. Mais finalement, il quitta le pays avec ses confrères en mai 1971. Il partit le cœur rempli de souvenirs et d’amitiés.

Sa nouvelle nomination fut le Malawi. Il apprit très bien le chichewa et s’adonna généreusement au travail, comme au Mozam­bique. En communauté, il était de bonne humeur ; à l’extérieur, il était travailleur, agréable et ami de tous. Ses préférences étaient la catéchèse d’adultes, la visite des villages, l’animation des communautés chrétiennes et l’agriculture. Les paysans écoutaient volontiers la Bonne Nouvelle de ses lèvres. Il quitte le Malawi en 1995 pour motif de santé.

Il passe deux ans en Espagne. Une fois rétabli, il retourne au Mozambique, au Centre ‘Nazaré’ dans le diocèse de Beira. Pedro cherchait sans cesse des fonds pour son fonctionnement. Il s’occupait d’une grange avec plusieurs dizaines de vaches, dindons, poules… Il s’y trouvait tout à fait à son aise avec les gens simples, ses amis. Mais, face aux injustices, Pedro dévoilait l’autre aspect de son caractère : la sévérité, l’intransigeance et une droiture inflexible.

Encore pour des raisons de santé, il rentre définitivement en Espagne. Après un temps de repos, il rejoint la communauté de Roquetas (Almería) dans le projet d’accueil d’immigrants africains, que l’évêque du diocèse a confié aux Pères Blancs. Inséré comme vicaire dans la paroisse de Notre Dame du Rosaire, il y restera pendant cinq ans, gagnant l’affection de nombreux paroissiens par ses qualités de bon pasteur.

En octobre 2005, âgé de 76 ans, Pedro rejoint la communauté de Benicassim comme résident. C’est un changement important dans sa vie, mais bientôt il retombe sur ses pieds. Il intensifie sa vie de prière, passant de longs moments à la chapelle. Il lit des livres sur la pastorale et sur la Vierge Marie, mais aussi les derniers titres de la littérature espagnole. Il s’occupe, à tour de rôle, d’apostolat dans une des chapelles succursales de la paroisse de Benicassim et dans une résidence de troisième âge, près de notre maison.

Comme d’habitude, Pedro tisse un réseau d’amitiés où il est très apprécié.
En communauté, il prenait plaisir à offrir aux confrères le jus des oranges qu’il glanait dans les champs, une fois la récolte achevée. Et il préparait de délicieuses amandes, grillées ou frites, toujours présentes lors des apéritifs.

Le 13 août 2012, Pedro partit en famille pour célébrer l’Assomption, fête patronale de son village. Le lendemain, lors du petit-déjeuner, un infarctus fulminant l’abat et il meurt sur le coup, comme il avait vécu, sans bruit.

Les funérailles ont eu lieu dans l’église paroissiale. L’Eucharistie fut concélébrée par 12 prêtres dans une église pleine à craquer : famille et voisins, gens des alentours, confrères et amis venus de Benicassim. Les villageois portèrent le cercueil jusqu’au cimetière, distant de plus d’un kilomètre. Pedro y repose dans la paix, auprès de ses parents.

Gonzalo Estremera

Père Herman Boon

1931 - - 2012

Herman est né à Jette (Bruxelles) le 28 février 1931, quatrième enfant de sept. Son père était médecin. Après l’école primaire à Jette, Bie – le petit nom qu’il gardera toujours – fit ses humanités au collège du Sacré-Cœur à Ganshoren, une autre commune de Bruxelles. En septembre 1949, il entra chez les Pères Blancs à Boechout. Après le noviciat à Varsenare, suivirent quatre années de théologie à Heverlee, où il prononça son serment missionnaire le 16 juillet 1955 et fut ordonné prêtre le 1er avril 1956. Les formateurs soulignent son caractère sensible, passionné et entier, son esprit ouvert et sociable, son ardeur au travail et sa piété. Nommé aux études à l’université de Louvain, il tombe malade dans le courant de l’année et on l’envoie se reposer en Suisse. En juillet 1964, il termine son doctorat en histoire moderne. Sa thèse fut éditée et reçut un prix.

De janvier à juillet 1964, Bie avait déjà travaillé comme assistant à la jeune université de Bujumbura (Burundi). En octobre 1964, il est nommé professeur à l’Université de Bujumbura et devient titulaire de la chaire d’Histoire moderne. En 1969, il est fait membre du Conseil académique et en 1971, doyen de la Faculté de Philosophie et Lettres. Il donne des conférences en ville et représente l’université à plusieurs congrès internationaux.

Le 29 avril 1972, une sédition éclate dans le sud du pays, une espèce de coup d’État, immédiatement suivie de représailles dans la capitale. Bie racontera plus tard : “Ce fut l’enfer. Le 2 mai, c’était un mardi, j’avais cours à 9 heures. Tous les étudiants étaient présents. À dix heures moins dix – je ne l’oublierai jamais – un commissaire de police entra dans l’auditoire, revolver au poing. Tout le monde devait sortir et une liste de 18 noms fut proclamée. Tous des Bahutu. Pieds et mains liés, on les jeta littéralement sur un camion. Le vendredi de la même semaine, la moitié de mes étudiants avaient été massacrés, la plupart par des condisciples.”

Des années plus tard, Bie avouera : “L’image des cadavres le long de la route près du campus est gravée dans ma mémoire.” Le 15 mai, le Père Boon part, comme prévu, pour un congrès au Québec et ne retournera plus jamais au Burundi. Le Supérieur général, le Père van Asten, avait, en effet, demandé à tous les confrères qui se préparaient à retourner au Burundi de retarder leur départ jusqu’à ce que la situation s’éclaircît. Le 22 septembre, Bie présente sa démission au recteur, le Père Gabriel Barakana, “pour des raisons de principe, suite aux événements qui s’étaient produits à l’U.O.B. après la révolte du 29 avril 1972”.

Début 1973, le Père Boon est nommé professeur d’histoire moderne aux Facultés universitaires Saint-Louis (UFSAL), qui deviendront plus tard l’Université catholique de Bruxelles. En 1980, il devient président du département d’Histoire. Il est très engagé et apprécié comme aumônier des étudiants. Chaque dimanche, il va célébrer à la paroisse Saint-Martin à Meise, à quelques kilomètres au nord de Bruxelles. Il y est aumônier du mouvement de jeunesse ‘Chiro’, oriente la catéchèse préparant à la confirmation et anime l’animation missionnaire. Il est aussi un des promoteurs de la fondation RIGU qui appuie des projets dans les pays de mission. Ses obligations à l’université diminueront progressivement et s’arrêteront tout à fait avec son éméritat en 1996.

En 1987, Bie est nommé curé de la paroisse Saint-Martin de Meise. Il y était déjà beaucoup apprécié par les paroissiens. Dans son discours d’introduction, il promettait que les petits et les faibles occuperaient les premières places dans ses options pastorales. “Il serait impensable, disait-il, de prier pour plus de justice sans qu’on s’y engage effectivement.” Priorité donc aux chômeurs, aux abandonnés et aux pauvres cachés.
Il partagerait toutes ses responsabilités avec les laïcs. “Dans cette commune si accueillante pour les enfants, je serai le curé de tous les enfants, peu importe l’école qu’ils fréquentent.” Les enfants de Meise l’appelaient ‘Oncle Bie’. Bie réussira à faire de Meise une paroisse jeune, dynamique et engagée en faveur du tiers-monde. “J’ai été curé à Meise jusqu’à ma 75e année plus 6 mois. La plus belle période de ma vie !”

En 2011, Bie se sent de plus en plus fatigué. Les examens révèlent un cancer fort avancé. Après chaque séance de chimiothérapie, il retourne chez lui à Meise, où les Sœurs Annonciades et les paroissiens ont préparé tout un organigramme pour ses repas, sa lessive, l’entretien de la maison, ses déplacements, etc.

De temps en temps, il préside encore une eucharistie, assis. Il lit, réfléchit et prie beaucoup ; il se prépare, tout en espérant. Il confirme ce qu’un confrère lui écrivit : “Tu viens d’entrer dans une troisième phase de ta vie. Après la phase académique et la phase pastorale, commence maintenant la phase mystique.”

Début septembre 2012, Bie est tellement affaibli qu’on décide d’arrêter tout traitement. Des membres de sa famille et des ami(e)s le veillent jour et nuit. Il sombre dans un léger coma et s’éteint doucement le 27 septembre 2012, en présence de sa sœur et de sa belle-sœur.

L’église Saint-Martin étant en restauration, la liturgie de l’ascension (comme il aimait à le dire) eut lieu dans la basilique de Grimbergen, le samedi 6 octobre, suivie de l’inhumation au cimetière de Meise. La recette de l’offrande fut, à la demande de Bie, destinée à Nouvelle Espérance, projet pour les malades du sida, à Bujumbura.

Jef Vleugels

PROFILES

Father Jacques Bodet

1922 - - 2012

Jacques was born on the 5th August 1922 in Cholet in the Diocese of Angers, France. He was the youngest in a family of three boys and three girls. The family was deeply Christian. One of his brothers, Charles, joined the Capuchins and was a worker priest in Nanterre while a sister entered the Carmel of Nantes-Perpignan. The third sister, Renée, was a member of a secular institute.

Jacques spent one year in the Senior Seminary of Angers followed by two years in the Senior Seminary of Limoges. He joined the White Fathers and did his noviciate in Tournus in 1944, and continued his studies there. He did his final year of Theology in Thibar where he was ordained priest on the 26th June 1946. He took his Missionary Oath on the 8th December 1946.

The staff of the Scholasticate noticed his funny laugh, his difficulty with speaking in public, a certain shyness, his artistic temperament (drawing, painting and sculpture) as well as his deep love for classical music. His great sensitivity, his good judgement, his enthusiasm and his discretion were all appreciated.

In 1947, Jacques was appointed to the Junior Seminary of the Greek Melkite Rite at Rayak in the Lebanon. As well as teaching literature, he was the Dean of the Senior Students. He was also given the task of teaching art and was in charge of sports. The reports of the superiors in Jeru­salem and Rayak are very critical of him saying that he cannot work in a team and, once he is given a precise task, he is prone to procrastination. He takes initiatives that do not correspond to the rules.

On the other hand, the seminarians were very positive about him as a number of testimonies reveal. Fr. Elias Zahlaoui, a priest of the Greek Melkite rite in the Eparchy of Damascus says: “At Rayak, we were not very cooperative. We judged the new White Fathers as soon as they arrived. I can say that Fr. Bodet won us over right from the very beginning. Why? He was the genuine article. One saw it in his smile, his look, even the tone of his voice. He had a way with young people without imposing himself on anyone whatsoever. He was my Spiritual Director as discreet as he was shrewd. He knew how to communicate to me the joy of self-giving. Fr. Jacques Bodet was an upright priest.”

These contradictory judgements are explained by Jacques’ temperament. While his superiors wanted him to apply the rules and be stricter with the seminarians, these appreciated his flexibility and broad mindedness.

In 1967, with the agreement of the Melkite Hierarchy, the White Fathers left the junior seminary and handed it over to the Greek Catholic Church. They rented an apartment in the Achrafieh sector of Beirut. Fr. Bodet devoted himself to many pastoral activities. Right up until 1975, he heard confessions in the Church of St. Louis which was run by the Capuchins. He gave courses for adults in the catechetical centre of Notre Dame de Dons. He spent many hours a day visiting people in difficulty and he was also much in demand for spiritual direction in many different religious communities.

Nevertheless, he always put aside time for prayer and reading. His favourite authors were Jean Sulivan, Maurice Zundel and Maurice Bellet among many others.

Jacques was reserved when it came to expressing his feelings either in his family or in the community. He only opened his heart in private and in the course of his long stays in France. He confided openly in his letters to his Provincial of his great affection for his family, particularly his sister, Renée, referring to his state of health and expressing his great wish to go back to the Lebanon to which he had a deep rooted attachment. On many occasions, he confessed: “It seems to me that the more Lebanon suffers, the more I love her”.

Fr. Bodet was not a typical White Father. A Superior of Rayak Seminary deplored the fact that his Master of Novices did not fit into the “White Fathers’ mould”. The events that tore Lebanon apart from 1975 to 1990 affected him deeply. He showed an astonishing compassion for those who were suffering, witnessing to them his deep faith. Ten years after his departure, many people still ask for news of him.

He returned to France for good in 2004. He lived the rest of his life outside of community, with his family in Cholet in the department of Maine et Loire. He looked after and lived with his handicapped sister. In 2011, he moved with her to a nursing home in St. George des Gardes. When she died, he moved to the retirement home in Cholet where his elder brother, a Capuchin, lived. Over the course of this prolonged period, he was visited by those in charge in the White Fathers. From time to time he hinted at a move to one of our retirement homes, but he never took the step.

On the eve of his death, he had returned to the Retirement Home where he lived with his older brother, after being examined in hospital for intestinal problems. He spent a restless night but seemed more peaceful in the morning. At 8.45 he fell into a coma and died half an hour later. The cause of death was given as an intestinal haemorrhage leading to a heart attack. It was the 14th September 2012, the Feast of the Holy Cross, a major feast in the Orient. It was the day that Benedict XVI arrived in the Lebanon and signed the Apostolic Exhortation “Ecclesia in Medio Oriente” in the Basilica of the Greek Catholic Church of Harissa. On the 17th September 2012, Fr. Jacques Bodet was buried in Cholet after the funeral ceremony.

Francis Leduc

Faher Willy Burm
1936 - - 2013

Willy was born in Hulst in the Netherlands on the 20th of June 1936. He received his missionary formation in Sterksel, St. Charles near Boxtel,‘s-Heerenberg and Totteridge where he took the Missionary Oath on the 11th of May 1961. He was ordained in Breda on the 29th of June 1962.

Willy had a sound, sometimes original judgement, was matter of fact and practical. He was reliable and good; a quiet and hard worker who saw what needed to be done. During his formation, one characterised him as “someone who could easily tax his forces too much”. Someone added: “May be a little eccentric in a harmless sort of way”. He was ever ready to render a service, to anyone, but especially to the less advantaged.

After his ordination, he was appointed to a Francophone country. To brush up his French, he did his pastoral course in Mours. On 2nd December 1962, he arrived in the Diocese of Koupela, Burkina Faso. He went to Guilongou to study the Mooré language and culture. At the time, the four gospels were only in manuscript form so he typed out the lot for himself.

On 29th June 1963, he went to Goungen parish, a large area with 26.000 inhabitants, of which 1,400 were Catholics and 1.000 Muslims. In the rainy season, it was totally cut off for up to 6 months! In March 1965, he moved to Zorgho parish, an even larger area and less open to Christianity. In December 1967, he moved to Baskouré parish. They had “plenty” of catechumens. Willy started looking after the youth and started planting trees with great success.

In October 1970, he moved to Pouytenga parish. The laypeople started taking more and more responsibility. He wrote in March 1973: “I am impressed that organisations such as Miva, Memisa and Lenten Aid are helping us so much”. Halfway through 1974, he followed a course on Islam in Rome. That year, he built a medical centre with a maternity unit in cooperation with different religions which helped a lot to improve relations. With the help of schoolchildren, he planted several thousand trees. Due to regular droughts, many of the wells needed to be deepened.

He moved back to Baskouré in December 1981. In addition to parish work, he had all sorts of projects. Some 36.000 trees planted, 2 secondary and 8 primary schools with 45 teacher’s houses. There were also 39 boreholes, 3 dispensaries with 6 houses, 1 centre for handicapped, 3 school hostels, 29 tricycles for handicapped people, 14 churches, 36 halls for catechumens, even a mosque for Muslims. One also has to mention the 4 bridges, 5 rainwater dams, and dozens of ploughs and carts. In August 1986, he received the decoration of Burkina Faso “Medal for Merit”. In December 1986, he had to return to the Netherlands because of a broken leg. He used the time for a course in advanced French, a course in Pastoral Theology, participated in Marriage Encounter and in the Missionary Session in Rome.

By August 1988, he was back in Burkina and was appointed co-pastor in Bittou. One day in April 1989, a driver arrived with an express letter for Louis Mauvais. Willy gave it to Louis who said: “Read it please, I don’t have my glasses”. It was a request to take Willy on a given day to the Embassy of the Netherlands to receive a decoration, but to keep it secret. On the 30th of April, Willy was made a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau.

At the end of 1990, he moved to Goungen, where he had started 25 years before. He commented: “The youth of that time will now be grandparents!” There were 10 primary schools; Willy added one plus a secondary school. In several villages, he built dispensaries, churches, and some halls for the teaching of catechetics and also for teaching reading and writing. In 1993, he planted 10.000 trees with the cooperation of many villagers. He learned to use the computer during his leave in 1994. He was awarded the prize “Aimé Nikiéma for the Rights of Men 1995” by an international jury. In November of that year, the Government made him “Comman­der of the National Order”, the highest decoration of the country.
In September 2000, the White Fathers handed over the parish of Goungen to the Diocesan clergy and Willy left for a sabbatical year. On his return in August 2001, he went to Boulsa. He built a primary school and a teacher’s house. In 2004, He wrote: “Burkina Faso means ‘Land of the Just’. Hence the words ‘war, fleeing, shooting’ do not appear in my book of life”. As he said in many letters that was why he was so happy there.

Boulsa was handed over to the Diocesan clergy in 2006, and Willy moved to Dori “the gateway to the desert”, “a place of exile for political prisoners and troublesome functionaries.” He was asked many times: “What have you done to be appointed there?!

The population was almost 100% Muslim. Dori became a diocese in 2005 and a priority project of the White Fathers. There was a lot of contact with many Muslim students who came to study at the library because it had electricity. Willy was chaplain to the prison with 83 prisoners; among them 30 catechumens although many others came to listen. In the diocese, he built schools, a convent, and a church.
In March 2010, the White Fathers handed over the parish of Dori to local priests, and Willy moved to Aribinda at the end of June. He was very happy there; they had solar energy, but no running water, banks, supermarkets or post office.

Looking over his life and work, one could say that he lived it according to to the motto of his native province of Zeeland: “Luctor et Emergo”, meaning “I struggle and always succeed”. On the 14th of January 2013, Willy suddenly died of a heart attack in the clinic of Ouagadougou. On the 18th, there was a wake in our formation house in Ouagadougou, and he was buried there on the 19th January 2013. There was a delegation from all the parishes where he had lived and worked. In the Netherlands, there was a remembrance Eucharist with relatives, confreres and friends on the 26th January 2013.

“In so far as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me”. (Mt. 25).

Marien van den Eijnden

Father Rosaire Larivière

1916 - - 2013

Fr. Rosaire Larivière was born on the 3rd October 1916 in the Parish of St. Charles de Joliette, Province of Québec, Canada. His father was the village baker and his mother was a teacher. He had one elder sister. With his sister, he grew up in a profoundly Christian atmosphere. He said that he learnt the first elements of the catechism on his Mother’s knee. He attended primary school at the Academy of St. Viateur de Joliette followed by secondary school studies at the Joliette Seminary which included two years of Philosophy. These were very happy years for him and he showed himself to be a very good musician especially on the trombone which he played in the School Orchestra.

In September 1938, he joined the postulancy of the White Fathers at Everell, near Quebec. This also served as the first year of Theology. The following year he entered the Novitiate of St. Martin de Laval near Montreal. He did the final three years of Theology in the Scholasticate of Eastview near Ottawa. It was there that he took his Missionary Oath on the 29th May 1942. He was ordained priest on the 19th June 1943 in the Cathedral of Ottawa by Bishop Martin Lajeunesse, O.M.I.

These years of training passed off very well. He was able to exercise his talent for music and singing, something which allowed him to blossom as an individual. He did well at his studies, but he had to pay attention to a tenseness which affected him interiorly. He was of good character, always in good humour, easy in community with a simple personality sometimes bordering on naivety.

He celebrated his first Solemn High Mass in the Church of St-Pierre de Joliette on the 4th July 1943. At the dinner after Mass, he gave a long speech in which he expressed his gratitude to all those who had helped him get so far. He has a special word for the Missionaries of Africa: “To the Society of the White Fathers I express my love and affection. Five years ago, I left my family only to find another one which showed me real care, zeal and dedication for my formation as a priest and apostle. Thank you for the last five years passed in peace and joy. My heart is given over to the White Fathers and I dedicate myself to them until my death.”

At the beginning of September 1943, he was able to leave for Africa. He was appointed to Uganda, to the Apostolic Vicariate of Rwenzori. After a long and perilous journey of 53 days by sea and by train, he finally arrived in Mbarara. His Bishop was Bishop Lacoursiere who told him to sort himself out for learning the language. This did not last long as in the beginning of 1944, he was appointed as a teacher in the Junior Semi­nary of Bwera near Kitabi. The appointment was for a year but it lasted for eleven! In fact he spent about 20 years teaching in different places: Kitabi, Virika, and Fort Portal. Everywhere he was greatly appreciated. His Regio­nal wrote: “Fr. Larivière is a devoted teacher. He is uncompromising in doing his duty, but he works too hard, so he gets keyed up and wears himself out with work. He gives himself totally and supernaturally. The students respect and trust him”.

In the many years he was working in Uganda, Rosaire was, for more than 20 years, the chaplain of the Postulants and Novices of the Banyateresa Congregation. At the same time he was curate in the neighbouring parishes. Sometimes he was even Parish Priest. However he did not like responsibilities which stressed him out and made him sick. He often had to take holidays, sometime lengthy ones, in order to rest.

In 1966, he wrote: “Since January, I am a teacher in St. Mary’s Junior Seminary in Fort Portal. What I am doing now does not resemble in any way the Parish ministry that I was destined for. I was very happy in my little mission of Bukwale with its 7,000 Christians but I have to say that I do feel more at ease in my role of educating young people. This is easy to understand as I have been teaching nearly all the time and it has become second nature to me”.

In June 1997, Rosaire returned to Canada for good after 50 years of service to the Church in Uganda. Problems and the work had made him very weak. He needed some rest. He was to spend the next 10 years in the Provincial House in Montreal. There he undertook some services in the house and did occasional ministry. He needed to look after his health especially his diabetes.

In July 2007, he moved to the Retirement Home at Lennoxville in the city of Sherbrooke. He needed more medical supervision. At the beginning of 2012, he was transferred to the infirmary of the Capuchin Fathers in Montreal. There were problems in controlling his sugar levels and he needed frequent hospital care.
He died on the 9th January 2013 in the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital in Montreal. The funeral was celebrated on the 14th January in the Chapel of the Capuchin Fathers. He was buried in the cemetery of St-Louis de Laval in the plot of the Missionaries of Africa.

Our dear confrere left a good memory no matter where he was. He knew how to put people at their ease with his smile and gentle replies. His life was that of a great missionary, a man of faith and great trust in Providence. He liked to tell stories of his brushes with death but he always survived and, for him, this was the proof that God was protecting him. We pray that God will grant him the rest of the good and faithful servant.

Lauréat Belley

Father Alfred Volk
1920 - - 2013

Alfred Volk was born on 11th May 1920 in Fürth, Germany. He was the son of Johann and Maria Volk. He had one brother and one sister.

After his primary education, he did two years of secondary school in Fürth. In 1932, he moved to the minor seminary of the White Fathers in Zaitzkofen. He completed his secondary education in the minor seminary of Großkrotzenburg. In 1939, he was conscripted for National Service. However, he was allowed to start his philosophical studies in Trier the same year. He successfully completed philosophy in March 1941.

Meanwhile World War II was continuing and Alfred was conscripted into the army. He was sent to the front in Russia. After his regiment surrendered, each soldier tried to reach the West on his own. Alfred made his way through forests but Partisans found him asleep one day and handed him over to the Russians. The sufferings, slave work and deprivations as a prisoner of war marked him deeply. It is difficult to imagine how deeply this peaceful, delicate and cultured person must have suffered because of the cruelty he experienced during the war and during his time as a prisoner of war. It was because of his faith and because of his good health that he was able to survive. Throughout his life Alfred was deeply rooted in a mature faith, but his health remained badly affected.

While on their way to Russia, the German prisoners were met by a Czech Franciscan priest, who said Mass for them. It was the first and the last Eucharist during Alfred’s time as a prisoner of war. He later said that he lived on the strength of this food, not for 40 days, but for more than four years. Alfred considered it a special grace that he was able to have a copy of the New Testament throughout his years of captivity. He said that the NT he had with him was a book that contained Jesus Christ Himself. Several times the book was confiscated or stolen, but he always got back a copy of the NT, sometimes with the psalms included. In this way he received strength from the Word of God. The psalms provided him with words that allowed him to express his condition in front of God. Later Alfred explained that the time he spent as prisoner of war was his real novitiate; it was a time when he was most open to the Word of God.

In September 1949, Alfred was finally released from captivity. As was the custom at that time, the White Fathers did not see the need for a prolonged recreation or a time to deal with trauma. Hence he began his theological formation in Trier only one month after his return from Russia. After completing one year in Trier, Alfred did his novitiate in s’Heerenberg, followed by three more years of theology. His formators appreciated his genuine piety, his calm and friendly temperament and his intelligence that was more geared to the speculative than the practical side. They also noted that he was very conscientious. In s‘Heerenberg, Alfred took his Missionary Oath on 22nd July 1953. After that, he went to the scholasticate in Monteviot, Scotland, where he was ordained priest on 10th June1954.

At that time, the White Fathers needed qualified teachers for their schools in Germany. Alfred was specially gifted for old languages. For that reason, he was appointed to study Latin, Greek and Education at the University of Frankfurt. Before he began as a probationary teacher in Frankfurt, he made a short trip to Ghana. As a qualified teacher, he was called on to teach in our minor seminary in Rietberg, where he taught from 1962 until 1964. Then he was moved to his old school in Grosskrotzenburg. As he himself was very quick in grasping what was explained, he found it hard to understand why pupils continued making mistakes after he had explained everything to them. In September 1966, his Superiors appointed him prefect of our boarding school in Amberg, Bavaria.

In 1970, after our minor seminaries were closed, Alfred moved to Cologne. There he founded an Information Office of the Missionaries of Africa. As he worked in a methodical and organized way, he produced enlightening and well researched papers. For many years, he published IFI (An information service for those interested in Africa). The various booklets dealt with topics that were of African interest, or they gave detailed descriptions of African nations. His publications were useful for those who wanted to help people become better acquainted with Africa. Unfortunately, it was never possible for a broader audience to access his work.

Alfred was a collector of many things. He collected articles and publications that were useful for the Information Office. He also collected postal stamps. The sale of his stamp collection allowed him to contribute financially to the African Mission. During his holidays, Alfred often followed his cultural interests. He visited museums and, on occasion, was an informative guide through places of historical interest. His sermons had spiritual depth, were well thought out, and interesting. However, because of his frailty, he had to limit his preaching.

The years he had spent at the front and in captivity had left deep scars on his psychological and physical health. All his life he suffered delicate health. He accepted his limitations in a spirit of deep faith, and he did not become a burden to others. Alfred was a pleasant and considerate confrere. He was a quiet person, but he had an open ear and heart, and he was always ready for a conversation.

At the age of 88 years, Alfred moved to our newly founded community in a senior citizens home in Trier. He died on 1st February 2013. He was buried in the plot of the White Fathers in the main cemetery of Trier on 7th February 2013.

On the occasion of his golden jubilee of priesthood, Alfred looked back at his experiences and he quoted from psalm 118. “I shall not die; I shall live to recount the great deeds of the Lord. ... The Lord has not abandoned me to death... Give thanks to the Lord...” (Psalm 118: 17-19+29)

Rolf Wigger

 

Father Pedro Pérez Gadea

1929 - - 2012

Pedro was born on the 24th March 1929 in Mingla­nilla, on the border between the austere region of Castilla-La Mancha, with its severe climate and the mountains of Valencia with its colourful landscape and the soft Mediterranean climate. These contrasts were also reflected in Pedro’s personality: an honest man, silent, austere but at the same time having a sense of humour and a spontaneous smile.

Pedro did his primary schooling in his village. He attended secondary schools in Requena and Valencia. After getting his baccalaureate, he began Philosophical studies in the Seminary of Cuenca. He was inclined toward the Franciscans, but after meeting a White Father, he changed direction and decided to become a Missionary of Africa.

After his Philosophical studies, he continued with Theology in Cuenca for two more years. He received the first minor orders there. In July 1951, he entered our Novitiate at Maison-Carrée and in September 1952, he went to Thibar-Carthage for his final two years of Theology. He took his Missionary Oath on the 12th April 1954 and was ordained priest six days later, on the 18th April 1954. He was appointed to Mozambique.

Pedro quickly learnt Portuguese in Lisbon. From there, he left for Beira arriving in October 1955. He studied Chisena for a further eight months at Murraça before being appointed to Goron­gosa where the language spoken was similar to Chisena. He was very happy living with these welcoming mountain people.
Pedro did the long Retreat at Villa Cavaletti in Rome in May 1963. He returned to the Diocese of Beira where he was appointed Superior of Chemba, followed by a stint at Manga. For many years, he devoted himself to adult catechesis and organising Christian Communities. He knew the language very well and the people liked to listen to him. His homilies were lively and his conversation agreeable and kindly. He had many friends among the white settlers and the Mozambicans, both rich and poor. It was among these last that he found himself most at ease.

“The Second Vatican Council took place in the 60s and it emphasised the dignity of people, underlining the duty of recognising the rights of all including those who were colonised and who were entitled to the same rights, dignity and respect as those who were rich and powerful.”

It was also a decade that marked an important stage for many African States. It was the era of Independence and the end of colonialism. Independence promised progress and material well-being for all. As the Portuguese colonies were considered ‘Provinces’ of Portugal, they could not dream of such a step.
These two circumstances meant that many of our confreres in Mozambique were forced to have a good look at the way they were living under colonial rule. They questioned themselves on the legitimacy of their attitudes and the activities in which they were involved. They were collaborating with a Church that was under the thumb of the Government which was imposing discriminatory and unjust laws. When it came to a decision, not all the confreres were of the same view. A genial person like Pedro could not think of abandoning “his” country and “his” people. He fought vigorously against this option. In the end, however, he left the country with his confreres in May 1971. He left with a heart full of happy memories and friendships.

He received a new appointment to Malawi. He learnt Chichewa very well and gave himself generously to the work. In community, he was noted for his good humour. Outside, he worked hard, was agreeable and everybody’s friend. He especially liked Adult catechesis, visiting villages, organising Christian Communities and agriculture. The local people were willing to hear the Good News from his lips. He left Malawi in 1995 due to ill health.

He spent two years in Spain but once his health was restored, he returned to Mozambique. He was appointed to the Nazaré Centre in the Diocese of Beira. Pedro spent a lot of time looking for funds to keep it going. He had a barn full of cows, turkeys and hens. He was very much at ease with the ordinary people; his friends. However, Pedro revealed another side to his character when faced with injustice: he became harsh, uncompromising and with an inflexible righteousness.

After more health troubles, he returned definitively to Spain. After some rest, he joined the community at Roquetas (Almeria) which was concerned with a project for welcoming African immigrants which had been entrusted to the White Fathers by the Diocese. He was installed as curate in the Parish of Notre Dame du Rosaire where he was to remain for five years. He earned the affection of many parishioners because of his qualities as a good pastor.

In October 2005, at the age of 76 years, he moved to Benicassim as a resident. It signalled an important change in his life, but very soon, he found his feet. He spent more time at prayer; passing long moments in the Chapel. He read books on pastoral subjects and on the Virgin Mary as well as the latest books of Spanish literature. He took his turn in saying Mass at one of the chapels-of-ease in the parish of Benecassim as well as in a Retirement home near our house. As was his wont, he soon had a network of friends and he was very much appreciated.

In community, he loved to offer orange juice to the confreres from oranges he had gleaned from the fields once the harvest had finished. He also liked to present delicious fried or grilled almonds for the aperitif.

On the 13th August 2012, Pedro went home with his family to celebrate the feast of The Assumption, the patroness of the village. The following day at breakfast, he suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly.

The funeral took place in the Parish church. Mass was concelebrated by 12 priests in a church full to overflowing; friends and neighbours, people from the locality, confreres and friends from Benecassim. The villagers carried his coffin for more than a kilometre to the cemetery. Pedro now sleeps in peace besides his parents as he had wished.

Gonzalo Estremera

 

Father Herman Boon

1931 - - 2012

Herman was born on the 28th February 1931 in Jette, Belgium. His father was a doctor and he was the fourth of seven children. Bie - the nickname that he was always known by - did his secondary school studies in the College du Sacré-Cœur in Ganshoren (in another suburb of Brussels). He entered the White Fathers in September 1949 at Boechout. After his Spiritual Year in Varsenare, he did four years of Theology in Heverlee where he took his Missionary Oath on the 16th July 1955. He was ordained priest on the 1st April 1956. The staff noted his sensitive character. He was passionate and plain spoken. He was sociable and had an open mind. They also noted his piety and commitment to work. He was appointed for further studies to the University of Louvain. He fell ill during the year and was sent to Switzerland for some rest. In July 1964, he graduated with a Doctorate in Modern History. His thesis was published and he received a literary prize for it.

From January to July 1964, Bie was already working as an assistant lecturer in the new University of Bujumbura, having arrived in Burundi the previous year. In October 1964, he was appointed lecturer at the Official University of Bujumbura holding the Chair of Modern History. In 1969, he became a member of the Academic Council of the Univer­sity. In 1971, he was made Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy and Arts. He gave conferences and represented the University at many International Congresses.

In April 1972, a revolt took place in the south of the country, a sort of coup d’état. Reprisals immediately followed in the capital. Bie related later on: “It was hell. On Tuesday, the 2nd May, I was giving a course. All the students were present. At ten to ten – I will never forget it – a Police Commissioner entered the classroom with a gun in his hand and forced everybody outside. A list of 18 names was called out. All were Bahutu. Their hands and legs were tied and they were literally thrown into a lorry. On the Friday of the same week, half of my students had been massacred, mostly by their fellow students.”

Many years later, Bie admitted: “the images of the bodies all along the road near the campus are engraved on my memory”. Fr. Boon left, as was planned, for a congress in Quebec on the 15th May. He was never to return to Burundi. The Superior General had asked the confreres preparing to go back there to postpone their return until the situation clarified. On the 22nd September, Bie, from Brussels, tendered his resignation to the Rector of the University, Fr. Gabriel Barakana: “on grounds of principle following the events at the University of Bujumbura after the revolt of the 29th April 1972”.

At the beginning of 1973, Fr. Boon was appointed Professor of Modern History at the University of St Louis which was later to become the Catholic University of Brussels. In 1980, he became President of the History Depart­ment. He was very committed and appreciated as chaplain for the students. Every Sunday, he went to celebrate Mass in the Parish of St. Martin in Meise, some kilometres north of Brussels. He was chaplain to the youth movement “Chiro”, directed the catechetical programme preparing people for confirmation as well as missionary promotion work. He was also involved in RIGU an organisation financially supporting projects in mission countries. His commitments at the University progressively diminished and stopped altogether in 1996, when he became an Emeritus Professor.

Bie was appointed Parish priest of St. Martin, Meise in October 1987. The parishioners were delighted as they knew him well already. In his homily at his installation he promised that the poor and the weak would be given first place in his pastoral policy. It would be unthinkable, he said, to pray for justice without having a clear commitment to it. Priority then was given to the unemployed, to the lonely and the unknown poor.
He shared his responsibilities with lay people. He said: “In this Parish, which is so child friendly, I will be the Parish Priest of all the children, no matter what school they attend”. The children were calling him “Uncle Bie”. Bie succeeded in making Meise a young and dynamic Parish, committed to the third world. He said: “I was Parish Priest until my 75th birthday plus six months. It was the best period of my life”!

In 2011, Bie began to feel more and more tired. A medical examination revealed an advanced cancer. After each session of chemo­therapy, he returned to Meise where the Sisters of the Annun­ciation and the parishioners had prepared a full programme regarding a special organic diet, his laundry, the maintenance of the house, his travels, etc. From time to time he was able to celebrate the Eucharist while seated. He read, meditated and prayed a lot. He prepared himself while still hoping against hope but accepting what a confrere wrote: “You have just entered the third phase of your life. After the academic phase followed by the pastoral phase, you now begin the mystical phase”.

In September 2012, he was so weak that all treatment was stopped. Members of his family and friends kept a day and night vigil. Some days before his death, he fell into a light coma and on the 27th September he died peacefully.

As the Parish church was undergoing renovations, the ‘Liturgy of the Ascension’, as Bie liked to call it, took place in the Basilica of St. Servatius, Grimber­gen, on the 6th October, followed by burial in the Meise cemetery. The offertory collection was, at Bie’s wish, sent to the Nouvelle Espé­rance project in Bujumbura.

Jef Vleugels