In memoriam

Paris (France), 29 January 1928 - Nay (France), 3 March 2016

Homily by Laurent Bacho scj

| Texts 2 Cor 4,14 - 5,1 and John 9, 25-30 |

We have chosen this Gospel text corresponding to the liturgical season we are celebrating just now; this second part of Lent brings us to contemplate the Pascal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Also here at Betharram on the 400th anniversary of the miracle of the Cross, we are more aware of the mystery of the Cross which is the source of the mercy of God the Father which we are contemplating in this Holy Year. As religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram our Rule of Life shows us that the sick “with Our Lady at the foot of the Cross share very closely in the redemption of mankind.” We know the sufferings which Fr Andre Grossard endured, the sufferings of seeing himself diminished, the sufferings of seeing his own body, that “outer human nature falling into decay”. Following in the footsteps of Jesus he had to drink the bitter dregs of which the Gospel speaks and which filled him with bitterness. His illness was a source of physical and psychological torment preventing him from having a calm and serene relationship with his community and friends. Thanks to our Faith we believe that death frees us from the degradation of the exterior so that the inner being can benefit from the extraordinary weight of eternal glory which “God the Father prepared for him and which He is preparing for us” as St Paul assures us.

Fr Andre Grossard can present himself before God the Father, full of love and mercy as he unites himself to the words of Jesus on the Cross “all is accomplished”. All is accomplished and we can be sure that he is saying it with humility, fully aware of his shortcomings, his limits and his weaknesses. He can present himself in peace for God’s arms are outstretched to him, full of compassion. In this year of mercy more than ever, we are sure that his Son Jesus will present our Brother so that he will be received with compassion and forgiveness. He was a Religious of the Heart of Jesus for 30 years as educator and teacher and for 25 years as a religious priest in parish ministry.

We pray that our heavenly home of peace, solace and consolation which the Lord in his goodness has appointed for our Brother, will be given to him not because of any actions he may have performed but as a sign of his love and mercy. He now understands the extraordinary revelation which St Michael Garicoits has bequeathed to us: “What should be the principal character of our spiritual life? Christian goodness. Without this goodness we shall never have the spirit of generosity with which we ought to serve God.

May Our Lady of Betharram stand beside our Brother, Father Andre, in this ultimate offering of his life. Let us receive the consoling words of Pope Francis in this year of Mercy: “Mary never grows tired of casting her eyes of mercy on us and making us worthy of contemplating the Face of Mercy, her Son Jesus. May Fr Andre pray for us, for Betharram, so that young candidates may present themselves and that we can pass on the charism of the Heart of Jesus, “humble and obedient” which Saint Michael left us.May our act of brotherly love this morning place us under the protection of Mary that like her “we may be always ready for whatever God wants and obedient to whatever God does.”