GAVEL Enrique (Father) - Uruguay

On 14 July after long years of illness which had got worse in October 2013 and after two days in a coma, Fr Enrique Gavel made his return to the father’s house. Just a few days previously, he had received the sacrement of the sick and a visit from Father Gaspar, accompanied by his ordination companion, Fr Constancio Erobaldi. Since October his illness had confined him to bed. During these months, his sister and nephews were with him and comforted him with remarkable devotion and affection. Fr Enrique died on Monday at three in the morning. On that day, nearly all the Betharram community in the region were on their way for the Paraguay Assumption to take part in the regional Pre-Chapter meeting. That’s why they could not be present at the funeral mass, celebrated in the parish church of St Michael Garicoits, where Fr Enrique was the priest until the end. Concelebrating with the Archbishop of Montevideo, Bishop Daniel Sturla and the Bishop of Florida, Bishop Martin Pérez Scremini, a former scholar of Betharram was Fr Gonzalo Estévez, another former student of Betharram, alongside numerous diocesan priests and brothers. The Congregation was represented by Fr. Angelo Recalcati. Fr. Gonzalo began the celebration by recalling certain aspects of Fr Gavel’s life, for which all those present gave thanks to the Lord. He emphasized in particular his faithfulness to the religious life. In fact, Fr Gavel quite recently celebrated 50 years of life in the Bethrram order and it was Fr Gonzalo himself who had presided over the celebration in place of Fr Gavel who was too weak due to his illness.

After having recalled his deep connection with the parish where he was baptised and with the Congregation, due to the education received in colleges from several members of his family, the Archbishop highlighted Fr Gavel’s commitment to the Betharram community in return, including when he had been asked to leave the college he had devoted his whole life to, in order to take care of the parish, even though he had no pastoral experience.

Finally Bishop Sturla noted the profound meaning of the family of our brother. Far from being a burden, this sense of belonging strenthened him. The statements heard about his ability to understand others and his serenity were numerous and moving, qualities that many people have benefited from during the years he was a priest. Also while thanking those who came to share these moments of contemplation, we wish to thank the Lord for the gift of the life and the person of Fr Enrique Gavel.

Angelo Recalcati, scj