In memoriam...

Father Joaquim Soares de Moreira scj

Cristina (Brazil), 14 July 1929 - Passa Quatro (Brazil), 8 July 2015

Very Reverend Father Joaquim, well-loved Master, Dear Friend and Brother Betharramite,

Who would have thought that St. Michael Garicoits, like a seed sown in the fertile fields of Ibarre, would have passed through the heavens, continents and the oceans to bear fruit at the foot of the imposing Mantiqueira mountains of Brazil?

There must be a hidden wisdom in the heart of the mountains, a connection, willed by heaven, between the hills of Bétharram and Passa Quatro, a superior wisdom that brings order out of chaos, in the most difficult moments of human experience.

Saint Michel dreamed, transformed the dream, then laboured and made disciples ...(who would) attract, lead, give instruction, culture and civil values ... Transforming the youth into good men, spreading the Gospel in all places and among all peoples, walking with young people by following the footsteps of Christ ...

Divine Providence has sown the seed of Betharram at Passa Quatro for 80 years now. Several generations were shaped by the hands, the advice and spirituality of those priests who by their presence and their action gave life to the College of St. Miguel, by developing a formation based on knowledge and Christian love. This college and the Betharramite Fathers are the source of our sense of justice, our culture and our civil values. It is a heritage of our city.

Of these 80 years, Father Joaquim has spent 57 working according to his disciplined nature, humbly with open hands and a heart full of love, to strengthen weak hearts and always reaffirm the purposes of God among us.

He was a professional and strict teacher! Many of us could tell an anecdote about this outstanding figure of Betharram! A particular trait? His blunt honesty! Even to the point of giving offence. His homilies, often drew blood! But they were sincere; he drew blood in order to heal.
Fr Joaquim knew how to tell stories, enjoy good wine, and mock ignorance. He could move from a passionate tone in his homilies to a quiet popular simplicity; a «Father Antonio Vieira» able to mix classical language with popular speech to illuminate the foolish minds and wild hearts. He was one of the last to pray and sing in Latin, and he would invite us to join him.

«It is the living to whom we should pay tribute and not the dead!” Father Joaquim was a man, a teacher, a friend, a counsellor, a brother, a father, a representative of Christ among us anointed by the hands of the Grand Master.

We all, of the College São Miguel, staff, students, teachers, principals and Betharramite religious, are very saddened by your departure, dear master, friend and comrade ... We will miss you a lot, as we will miss your very unique outlook on life.

Today, Very Reverend Father, we feel as orphans, deprived of your presence and your company ... but we will never feel orphaned by your teachings, your virtue, your dedication to the Congregation of Betharram, to education and your fidelity to the priesthood. (...)

Prof Anibal (professor at the College São Miguel)

Father Alexandre BERHOUET scj

Luxe-Sumberraute (France), 28 August 1921 - Bétharram,1st September 2015

Bétharram, 3 September 2015
Funeral of Father Alexander Berhouet, SCJ.

Luke 5, 1-11. Today the liturgy provides us with “our daily bread”; the where with all to make us grateful and full of hope as were are here with Father Alexander. The heart of the message is a lesson in faith, meaning that we can and must trust the Lord, wherever we are and whatever he asks of us. That’s how he makes fishers of men from the sinners that we are. In the gospel story Simon-Peter had every reason for sending Jesus back to his studies – or rather to his carpenter’s plank – when he asked Peter to pay out the nets further afield, Peter the expert fisherman! But on his word Peter didn’t hesitate for a moment.

The lesson for us is as clear as the waters of the Lake of Genesareth; one can have the feeling of being incompetent, of having reached summits that were dizzying or sunk to depths that were killing, when the Lord sends out a signal impossible to hide! Even though we don’t feel the courage we must still launch out into the deep and trust will work miracles. Believing is to take a step into the unknown. It is then and then only that the Word will affect our lives; real wisdom consists in accepting God to be our guide. To have faith means putting ourselves into his hands so as to live life to the full.

Father Berhouet could tell us a thing or two on that particular chapter. He willingly gave up an easy life style with personal projects. He did this through obedience which is the most authentic proof of love when one is a religious. He willingly renounced his beloved Basque country to go to unknown territories: Bethlehem, Bel Abbes, and Limoges where he left his mark on many generations. He taught practically every subject on the curriculum even some where he wasn’t too happy. He came face to face with whole classes even where he made the pupils laugh, pupils who as we know can be merciless for the weaknesses of their teachers. Yet for a man who was so unsteady during a maths lesson, he could be patient and resourceful outside the classroom explaining one or other problem.

It is no wonder that he waited till the 1st September, beginning of the academic year and World Day for the Protection of Creation, to bid farewell to this world. Father Berhouet was a lover of Nature. He was not a religious far removed from all things in Nature. He was rooted in his native land ( l’Amikuze) and in his adopted territory (the Limousin). But he was a religious who had lived for a long time outside community life so as to be able to continue his mission for the young.

By his presence he made Betharram and Ozanam rime even though the Congregation had already withdrawn. The pupils would crowd round him like a swarm of bees during recreation time just to learn how to make a racket or to meet a Father who took them seriously. Father Berhouet knew the Limousin thoroughly from the visits he paid there on Sundays. He loved driving or being driven as he chose. He could share his joy with a friendly family or with his brothers in community.

This nature followed him to Betharram where he chose to live out his retirement. He found a sedentary life a burden but he made up for it by long sessions at table, at the aquarium or on the doorstep. When he heard the footsteps of some visitor his face would light up again, a smile and he was no longer tongue-tied.

Now following in the footsteps of St Paul writing to the Colossians let us return to the communion of saints: let us ask the Lord to help us know his Will; let us ask for Wisdom, spiritual knowledge and conduct worthy of our vocation. May he give us his power to progress in doing good, persevering and patient to bear fruit. Full of joy let us give thanks to God the Father who helped Fr Alexander all the heavenly host of Betharramite religious to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light of eternity. Snatching them from the power of darkness He placed them in the kingdom of His Beloved Son. In the name of this same Son He will have mercy on us. He will be our pardon, our resurrection and our everlasting peace. His world will now that it is loved and redeemed.

Jean-Luc MORIN, scj