The first companions of Michael Garicoits

Do we really know the first companions of St. Michael who shared his dream and his efforts to fulfil it in the Church of his time? Probably we do: who has never heard of Fr. Guimon, Fr. Chirou, Fr. Larrouy, Fr. Perguilhem, Fr. Fondeville, Fr. D. Barbé, Fr. Sardoy? But we may not know their personality, nor how they met Saint Michael, how they decided to fully dedicate themselves to a project which was inspired by God and drew them to be the pillars of the emerging congregation, despite all the works and the obstacles, the different personalities. There are some beautiful stories to tell.

Bishop d’Arbou, appointed to Bayonne in 1830, wanted to continue the project of Bishop d’Astros: bring all the seminarians back to Bayonne. The old superior of Betharram, Pierre-Procope Lassalle, died on July 5, 1831. He was succeeded by Michael Garicoits. Appointed to the Convent of Igon, was Simon Guimon, a former missionary. He didn’t last long: the rigor of the new chaplain discouraged young religious and postulants. Jeanne-Élisabeth Bichier des Ages, the founder, was upset by it and so Michael Garicoits took the road to Igon; For 30 years!

Far from being discouraged, Simon Guimon put himself under the guidance of the new superior of Betharram. Thus, his first support is formed, more than a friend. As planned, the seminary of Betharram was empty after the ordinations of December 23, 1833. Eventually, Abbé Guimon took up a hectic schedule of parish ministry. Michel Garicoits however didn’t travel further than the convent of Igon: four kilometres! But what a spiritual journey!

In contact with the nuns, Michel Garicoits felt called to create a congregation; A retreat with Fr. Leblanc, a Jesuit, confirmed it: “You will be the father of a family that will be our sister”. At the end of 1832, after an animated discussion, he convinced Simon Guimon to become the first Companion, the ardent defender of the foundation. Bishop d’Arbou was less enthusiastic: while he approved the formation of a Society at Betharram; He was slow to accept that priests (from his diocese) would enter.

Michel Garicoits thought that Simon Guimon was at one with him. Yet one day he discovered a letter: four pages of insults. The paper was signed: Guimon! An explanation was quickly forthcoming. On reading the letter, the presumed author looked troubled; He reread and exclaimed: “It is my writing, my signature. But It was not I who wrote it; It is the devil! He hugged Michael’s neck, and they stay embraced for a long time, with moist eyes ...

In 1841, Mgr. Lacroix Bishop of Bayonne for three years, arrived at Betharram with a Rule for Auxiliary Priests. With fervour, Simon Guimon demanded religious vows; And when he thought he had lost the battle, he fell at the feet of the Bishop, vowing to rise only when he was heard. The silence was long, very long. The Bishop gave in and granted to the small group the vows and the Rule chosen by Michael Garicoits. Father Guimon had a fiery personality, sometimes given to odd behaviour. He was sometimes criticised for this, but each time he accepted correction and asked forgiveness, often on his knees.

Beñat Oyhénart scj

Correspondence of Saint Michael, pubblished and introduced by Fr. Miéyaa scj : In 1855, when cholera spread through the countryside, St Michael sent almost all his missionaries to the parishes to help the parish priests to help the sick. The epidemic was widespread, and much worse, the misery so great that many died for lack of care. Fr. Guimon had been given some money from some Basque priests, and apparently also from Bishop Lacroix. Because of his vow of poverty, he did not dare to dispose of it without proper authorisation. He asked his superior. St Michael Garicoits answered him by this brief letter (Nr. 113 bis).

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My dear friend, why are you asking me? When you sacrifice yourself for souls, give, give all that you have. Assist all these unfortunates; Do whatever you can to relieve them.
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We shall meet Father Guimon and his missionary zeal sometime later, at the time of the great departure for America. Meanwhile, in 1833, a third companion joined the first two members of the small congregation: Father Jean Chirou.