25 years of Brother Bernard Guesdon’s Service in Rome: Message from the Superior General

Dear Fathers, Sisters and Brothers

It is with great joy that we gather here today to celebrate and thank our dear Brother Bernard Guesdon for his 25 years of valuable service in Rome as archivist of our General Curia.

Today, at this time of celebration, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to Brother Bernard, whose service and dedication have enriched our community and the entire Congregation to an extent that deserves to be celebrated.

After 32 years of missionary service in Senegal, Brother Bernard, with a great spirit of obedience, agreed 25 years ago to come to Rome for a new mission: that of archivist, not with a fixed-term contract (which is unfortunately often the case today in our congregations), but with an open-ended contract... And so he did it for 25 years, without ever complaining, without ever asking to change community or mission, because he approached this delicate mission with great passion and love. 

Brother Bernard has done meticulous and passionate work as an archivist, carefully preserving our history and our most precious documents. His professionalism has been truly exemplary, and his research into the different aspects of our founder's history and the origins of the congregation will remain important and useful for the whole congregation and the Montfortian family.

The simplicity of his life is no less important. In a world where materialism and selfishness often prevail, Brother Bernard chose to live humbly and soberly, reminding us that true value is found in spirituality and sincere human relationships. His constant focus on community life strengthened the bonds within our community, making every shared moment an opportunity to strengthen community relationships.

Fr Bernard also emphasised the moments of joy and celebration in our community. With his talent as a singer, his skill in the art of rhyming, his keen eye for photography and for special moments, he made every celebration memorable and heartfelt. These are occasions that will remain engraved in our memories, thanks to his commitment to celebrating life and the important moments in each person's story.

Finally and most importantly, I want to emphasise how Fr. Bernard always put others first, showing a genuine interest and loving attention that made each of us feel unique and valued. This selflessness is a wonderful example of how we should behave towards each other, recognising and accepting the value of each person. He never put himself at the centre of the attention, he always put others first. 

It is with gratitude and admiration that we thank Brother Bernard for all that he has given to our community. His legacy of service, simplicity, communion and concern for others will remain a model and a source of inspiration for us. Thank you, Brother Bernard, from the bottom of our hearts.

Dear Brother Bernard, another aspect of your life as a Brother of Saint Gabriel that has always impressed us is your passion for the saints, for their lives, but above all your passion for our founders, Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort, the Blessed Marie-Louise Trichet, Gabriel Deshayes. You have always tried to learn from them the aspects that can help us grow spiritually and as Christians. 

From the latter, and from your patron saint, St Bernard, you also learnt a great devotion to the Virgin Mary, whom you prayed to and sang to frequently. 

That is why, at the end of this message of thanksgiving, I would like to quote a famous text by St Bernard on the role that Mary can play in our lives, a text that certainly also inspired St Louis-Marie de Montfort: ‘In dangers, anxieties, uncertainties, think of Mary, call upon Mary. May she never be far from your heart. And to be sure of obtaining the favour of her prayers, do not neglect the example of her life. By following her, you do not go astray; by praying to her, you do not despair; she holds you, you do not collapse; she protects you, you do not fear; she guides you, you do not grow weary; she favours you, you succeed’.

This quotation is also intended as the prayer we all address to Mary, that she may always be your guide, that she may protect you and give you the health you need to continue to bear witness to your passion for Christ, for the life of a religious brother that you have always lived with fidelity and passion.

On behalf of the entire Congregation and the Montfortian Family, on behalf of the entire Generalate community and all those present here and on my own behalf, dear Brother Bernard, I thank you for everything you have done over the last 25 years and for the way in which you have done it, and thank you for the example you have given us through your witness.

Brother Dionigi Taffarello

Superior General