HARGILE CASENAVE Junes (Father)

Funeral of Father Junes Casenave- Harigile
(26th September 2018)

Dear brothers and sisters,

We have chosen the Mass readings from the feast of St Michael Garicoits; I think that Fr Junes would have been happy with this choice. This Word of God emphasises the mercy and forgiveness of God which can be affirmed by those who pass to the other side, and who leave the world of men to enjoy the happiness granted by the Lord in his Kingdom of love. Not one amongst us is holy; it’s not our virtue that comes first; it’s always the goodness, the tenderness and the generosity of God which lets us enter his house. Fr Junes was con dent of that as indicated in this sentence in Basque displayed in his bedroom: “Jesü Christo Jauna, Jinko semea, ürrikal zite, nizan bekatoreaz” (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have pity on me, a sinner).

All the religious of Betharram made the choice to become the reflection of Jesus who declared himself “gentle and humble of heart”. We don’t have any claim to an exclusive right to this; every Christian is invited to it, but at Betharram this has become the great model. And Junes who we accompany today was a good disciple of this heart of Jesus, following St Michael Garicoits. In his life, he didn’t make much noise, at least in Betharram; his discretion was known by everyone. However, he was not locked away inside his own shell, for example, he knew how to use his computer skills to publish the news of the entire congregation within the community.

In the encyclical on the environment “Laudato si”, Pope Francis points out that the last century often lacked humility and simplicity and he advises us to follow this path of whole- some humility and happy simplicity. I think that Fr Junes made big steps on this path and we can safely learn from what he experienced.

A wholesome humility. Sometimes humility which would be unwholesome could generate passiveness by putting oneself down and by presenting numerous objections when a service is required: “I am not capable”. Wholesome humility, on the other hand, is to be aware of all the talents and abilities the Lord has given us and that we have to make them bear fruit in the service of others. Fr Junes did not lack talent.

For 32 years, he exercised his teaching talents by knowing how to masterfully combine gentleness and firmness when dealing with children and teenagers. Through relaxation and healing sessions, he managed to quieten and calm the most spirited. Incidentally, his gifts of relaxation and healing have allowed numerous people to find good health, tranquility, peace and serenity. And all this free of charge, or for a modest contribution!

For 30 years, he carried out his pastoral duties in Soule, putting life back into the Basque Souletine language; he contributed greatly to the recognition of the distinctive Souletine character. This study did not con ne him to the office or attach him to his computer screen. Thanks to his skills as a writer and a translator, he could get in touch with the “fringes” as one says nowadays, people who did not share his Christian faith but who found in him openness, tolerance and mercy.

This wholesome humility, he had drawn from St Michael Garicoits, who was well aware of his poverty but was persuaded that the service of God asked him to deploy all his energy until he had the courage (20 years after setting up the congregation) to send 9 religious brothers to accompany the emigrants from Béarn Basque to South America. Each one of us is invited to likewise use our abilities without pointing out our modest origins, our weaknesses or our limits.

Wholesome humility, happy simplicity. Religious of Betharram, we are called to that by the vow of poverty, a simplicity which allows us to share and therefore to create happiness for others. Everyone who met Fr Junes admired the discipline he imposed on his life, without preaching, a discipline which is not rigid but which gives more opportunity in life. A discipline of life which allowed him to keep his alertness and his agility, well known Souletine characteristics. A simplicity in eating and drinking and in the use of medicine; he reached 94 years without giving much trouble to traditional medicine. A simplicity that allowed him to fully share his financial income without keeping anything for himself! There too, of course, it is the example of St Michael Garicoits which helped him. Simplicity is one of the virtues that is represented in wrought iron in St Michael’s chapel, with the clock hands pointing to 3 o’clock, the time he got up. Even regarding the time he got up in the morning, Father Junes was close to the Founder!

A happy simplicity is indeed the advice we need to hear and make a reality in our lives. That way, we will be able to fit in these Gospel values that the world is entitled to expect from Christians: compassion, benevolence, humility, gentleness and patience.

“I am gentle and humble of heart” proclaimed Jesus; we have to become more of a disciple of this master every day, following the example of Fr Junes; that is the grace that we ask for in this Eucharist. And that Fr Junes may be filled with the peace and gentleness of the God of love and tenderness, introduced by St Michael Garicoits into his everlasting Kingdom.

Laurent Bacho SCJ