| CURIA GENERALIZIA MARIANISTI Rome, January 8, 2005 Death Notice No. 01 (To all Unit Administrations) The Region of Switzerland and its Sector Togo recommend to our fraternal prayers our dear Brother, PIERRE DEVANTHEY, who died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on January 2, 2005, at Sierre, Switzerland, in the 87th year of his age and the 70th of his religious profession. Pierre Devanthey was born at Monthey (Valais), on November 29, 1918. He was the ninth of a family of ten children. At the age of 14, Pierre entered the postulate at Martigny; at 16, he began his novitiate in Belgium, at St-Remy-Signeulx. A year later, on September 12, 1935, he consecrated himself to God in the Society of Mary. On August 2, 1941, the young brother gave himself to God for ever and made alliance with Mary. Pierre Devanthey spent most of his life teaching in Sion, at the trade school for almost 15 years (1939-1953), then at the normal school, while at the same time, pursuing his studies at the University of Fribourg. In 1972, he crowned his formation with a doctorate in history, with a thesis entitled La Révolution bas-valaisanne de 1790. His superiors then proposed a missionary experience to him and Brother Pierre, at the age of 54, answered the call that was addressed to him. For eight years, he taught at Collège Chaminade in Kara (Togo). He left a part of his heart there. In fact, each time someone talked about the African continent, a large smile brightened his features. In 1983, Pierre retired. In prayer, he united himself with the events of the world as well as the joys and troubles of his extended family. He interceded for the people close to him and loved to receive intentions for prayer, which he kept in his heart, above all the sick that were confided to him. He went to one of the churches in the city of Sion to pray the rosary. That is how, at the request of some of the participants, he helped form a Marian prayer group, which has met once a week in the chapel of the community since 1992. With problems of health for several years, he had been preparing, in union with Mary, for his final meeting with the Lord. “I wish to carry out the will of God,” he confided, with his rosary in hand, during his last stay in community. On Saturday, November 20, 2004, Pierre Devanthey was hospitalized
because of breathing problems. The doctors discovered that our dear
brother had suffered a heart attack. One week later, Pierre was transferred
to the Clinique Ste-Claire at Sierre. At the time, he confided to one
of his acquaintances: “I’m preparing myself for a long
journey.” The last straight leg of this earthly path became a
long journey of letting go, of saying goodbye to all those he loved,
of having confidence in God in spite of the unknown things that awaited
him. Finally, on the day the Epiphany was celebrated, January 2, 2005,
he recognized the star and followed the light in order to be near the
Lord. A testimonial letter sent a few days after the death of Brother
Pierre summarizes that long road in a wonderful way: “With emotion,
we think that the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, whom we celebrated
on January 1, simply led him to the Epiphany of the Lord. May he continue
his precious intercession for us!” |