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You are here:Home / Family News / NEF 2017 / Family News - 2017 November 14th / The first companions of Michael Garicoits
Nov 14, 2017

The first companions of Michael Garicoits

Jean-Baptiste Harbustan: apostle in Uruguay

Jean-Baptiste Harbustan: apostle in Uruguay

Jean-Baptiste Harbustan was born on 5 June 1808 and became diocesan priest on 24 May 1834. He was able to carry out his ministry in his home province, but he was born in Barcus, just like Pierre Sardoy, the priest of the neighboring village ... who was mentored by Father Guimon - him again, and from Barcus as well!

On 16 September 1854, the mission to Buenos Aires was approved. In early 1856, Bishop Lacroix authorized Father Harbustan to go to Bétharram. It all happened very quickly! On 23 April 1856, he joined the Society of the Sacred Heart. For him, as for his friend Sardoy, a few weeks of probation were enough, when it takes two years for others!

The last shall be the first: Fathers Harbustan and Sardoy were the first called to go out to America. Even before Father Guimon, the third Basque! Four men from Béarn followed in the list; and, finally, Brother Joannès, another Basque from Barcus! Why four religious men from this same village? Here, so near Béarn, all men know both languages, Basque and the Béarnese dialect: that was good for missionaries!

Father Jean-Baptiste Harbustan was ready for the mission, even to go as far as the Pampas tribes: he was with Father Guimon when, at the third visit, hostile spears made them retreat (see NEF n ° 126, May 2017) ... He became an apostle in Uruguay!

Montevideo! There, on 3 November 1856, the missionaries ofBétharram arrived in America. A brief stopover, and a good welcome. The next day, on the other bank of the Rio de la Plata, in Buenos Aires, no one was present at their arrival ... Whether due to nostalgia or missionary zeal, they asked very quickly to return to Montevideo.

Between the two cities, Dominique Sarrote, a trappist and former missionary of Hasparren, was already around. When he arrived at the Rio de la Plata he taught them in their own language, touched by the religious poverty of the Basques. Before returning to his convent, he met the priests willing to take over: “I left [the province of] Buenos Aires and left it in the care of the Bétharram fathers, and I returned [to Montevideo] to prepare a residence and maybe something more for them. We have started to collect materials for a large church, which we will build in the most beautiful part of the city for the use of our countrymen,” he wrote to Canon Etcheberry, cousin of Father Garicoïts.

On 21 June 1859, the founder answered Father Barbé: “I would like with all my heart to go to the aid of our compatriots of Montevideo; but the moment has not yet come: we need good Basque missionaries and a good superior for this residence. It would be a good idea for Mr. Sarrote to address Mgr de Bayonne, or myself, instead of addressing Mgr. de Buenos Ayres”. Michael Garioïts looked for these good Basque missionaries himself!

After missions to Uruguay, the decision was taken to set up a foundation in Montevideo, with, of course, Father Guimon in charge! He remained in Argentina to preach through Lent in 1861; but just after Easter came the illness that took him away on 22 May. Already on 1 March 1861, Father Harbustan had taken over from Father Sarrote in Montevideo, with obvious success among the Basques: Msgr. Jacinto Vera, Apostolic Vicar of Montevideo, was obliged “to receive, defend and protect the fathers of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who would be appointed by their legitimate superiors to exercise their ministry on the whole territory of [his] jurisdiction “(letter of April 13, 1861).In early 1862, everything became fragile. Father Harbustan fell ill; Father Barbé sent him back to Buenos Aires; Father Garicoïts was considering that Fr Harbustan would return to his native country when he was already presumed to be the superior in Montevideo (letter of 21 March 1862). Yet, in the same letter, the founder announced the long-awaited reinforcement: Father Dominique Irigaray and Brother Maurice. Two residences, yes; but a community or two? “Just two!” Michel Garicoïts followed the advice of Father Harbustan (22 July 1862).Cured, Father Harbustan returned to Montevideo. On 2 October he welcomed Father Dominique and Brother Maurice. Eight days later, Brother Joannès arrived. Nothing however, is simple! Bishop Vera, Apostolic Vicar, did not have the unanimous agreement of his clergy; he changed the parish priest at the cathedral - and then came the unexpected attack; the freemason government took the opportunity to exile the bishop. Welcomed by Father Barbé in Buenos Aires, he remained there from 8 October 1862 to 23 August 1863. “The church of the Basques becomes the refuge of defectors and deserters!” declared the one whom power wanted instead of Bishop Vera. On 10 October 1862, the clergy were summoned to recognize this new Apostolic Vicar, but Father Harbustan reacted with one word, “No!” and slammed the door ...; the following Sunday after mass Father Harbustan saw the police commissioner and two policemen coming to find him; he showed no opposition and walked quickly so his guards were out of breath. Very suddenly, he went into a house of one of his friends, a parishioner: the French Consul! The police could not follow him there. Between prison and exile, Father Harbustan chose to go to Buenos Aires. Father Garicoïts encouraged him: “So here you are, confessor !!!”(In the sense of confessor of the faith).When the exiled General Flores created a civil war to return to power (19 April 1863), the president in office, Berro, thinking of getting Catholics on his side, decreed the end of the bishop’s exile: in October 1863, the chimes of all the churches celebrated the return of Bishop Vera. In December, more discreetly, Father Harbustan returned to Montevideo; he continued the work undertaken with generosity.

He was the one who completed the so called “Basques” church, planned by Fr. Sarrote, dedicated to the Immaculate Conception according to the wish of the donor of the land in memory of his mother, Conception da Costa. It certainly took time to finish the building: the end date of the work varies between 1869 and 1871 according to the sources ... But as of 1 October 1867, the College was open and also placed under the protection of the Immaculate Conception.

When, in 1869, Father Barbé, superior of the religious of America, died, Father Harbustan succeeded him, elected by his brothers. In this capacity, he gathered his people in October 1870, on the 19th in Buenos Aires and on the 27th in Montevideo, to vote a petition to the Holy See asking that the Society of the Sacred Heart be approved.He died in Buenos Aires on 13 January 1873. He served his Lord well!Beñat Oyhénart scj

Beñat Oyhénart scj

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