CURIA GENERALIZIA MARIANISTI
Via Latina 22 - 00179 Roma, Italia
Tel. (39-06) 704 75 892 - Fax (39-06) 700 0406
E-mail: gencomm@smcuria.it

Death Notice No. 20 (To all Unit Administrations): June 25, 2006

The Province of the Zaragoza, recommends to our fraternal prayers our dear brother, SEVERO PEREDA FERNÁNDEZ, who died in the service of the Blessed Virgin Mary on June 3, 2006 in Vitoria, Spain in the 90th year of his age and the 73rd year of his religious profession.

Severo Pereda Fernández was born on February 1, 1917, en Armiñon (Álava) to his parents, Ovidio and Josefa. Three of his uncles were Marianists, brothers of his mother: Florencio, Macrino and Fermín Fernández. On October 1, 1928, he entered the postulate at Escoriaza (Guipúzcoa). He began his novitiate in Elorrio (Vizcaya) on July 9, 1932, in a politically tumultuous time in Spain, with religious persecutions already taking place in the surrounding areas. On July 10, 1933, he made his first profession at the same place.

In 1936, after his scholasticate in Escoriaza (Guipúzcoa), his first assignment was to a school in a small village of the Province of Soria, El Royo. He only spent a short while there because he was called to enlist in the army in 1937, shortly after the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War. He was not discharged until December of 1939, a few months after the end of the war.

His entire life was dedicated to teaching, especially younger and intermediate students. He traveled all over the Spanish map, including such places as Elorrio, where he was Principal of the school until 1963, when he was sent to Vitoria remaining there until his death. At Colegio Santa Maria in Vitoria he was a teacher and Principal of the younger students. Then, after retiring from teaching, he became secretary, and later secretary’s assistant until his last days.

He was a pious man, very devoted to the Blessed Virgin. Until just a few months before his death, when he lost his sight, there wasn’t a book about Mary that he did not read and carefully summarize in his wonderful handwriting. In the library of his community there are many of his summaries and notebooks.

With such careful reading and writing, he was always entertaining in his older years. He often said that he did not know what boredom was; that he always had something to do; and we could all see that. He used to go to the library, put on the radio very softly with classical music, and read all of the books about Mary, summarizing them, and doing the community annals… and, from time to time, he would stroll through the well-lighted community corridor from which he could see the school yard and the games and entertainments of the students at the school. He enjoyed their victories, lamented their defeats all while walking and saying the Rosary. He always had something to do. And, you could see it made him happy. Contributing to this happiness, no doubt, was his community which always appreciated him and, whenever necessary, cared for him in the best possible way.

He was a man of the highest character, with a permanent smile, who radiated peace. His demeanor was always tranquil, simple and positive. He emphasized his devotion to Mary, his quiet, simple, peaceful and constant work. He also communicated equanimity, that peace which fills one with fraternity and friendship. One really can do good without making a lot of fanfare or doing great things! Surely, as he showed us, one can do good simply by living happily, according to the vocation to which the Lord calls us, being kind to all!

We are convinced that Mary, the Immaculate Virgin, welcomed him on that Saturday, June 3rd. May he rest in Peace!