The funeral rites for Father Olivier, Provincial of the Montfortines in France, were held today in the Basilica of Saint Louis-Marie de Montfort.
Newsroom (13/08/2021 15:42, Gaudium Press) All the bells of the churches of the Vendée (Vendée) in north-west France rang in a sign of mourning for Father Olivier Marie, murdered on Monday by a man of Rwandan origin whom he had taken in his community of Saint Laurent sur Sévre – a name so closely linked to Saint Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort. The assassin, who handed himself in to the authorities, had already been accused of being the author of the fire in Nantes Cathedral last year and had attended an audience with the Pope.
Father Olivier’s funeral took place in the Basilica of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort in Nantes. The funeral rites began at 2:30 p.m. and lasted about two hours. They were presided over by the President of the French Episcopate, Bishop Éric de Moulins-Beaufort and were attended by Father Santino Brembilla, Superior General of the Montfortian Fathers. Civil and political personalities were present.
The faithful were allowed to attend, and a big screen was installed in the parvis (square) of the Basilica to follow the ceremony.
A man of great wisdom
At the beginning of the ceremony, the journey of his life was explained: “Born on 19 November 1960 in Besançon”, the priest had numerous diplomas, in theology, psychology, natural sciences, obtained in different cities. He was ordained a priest in 1992.
“I take the liberty of telling you: you remained a simple man, very accessible, who does not make noise, but who moves forward,” Monfortine Brother Daniel Busnel said at the ceremony, very emotional. “I will miss you, I will miss your good humour.” But “we must continue working,” the brother continued, “Do not think that you will stand idly by in the house of the Lord.”
The homily was given by Fr Robert Chapotte, assistant to Fr Olivier Maire, mentioning the “wisdom” of the priest.
The ceremony concluded with a “Hail Mary” that resounded through the Basilica.
The priest was buried in the Wisdom cemetery, located next to the Basilica, where the religious of the Congregation are buried.
With information from France Bleu.
