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Status: unpublished
The morning of January 29, 2009 dawned on us with the heart-rending news of the demise of Fr.
Francis Guezou, SDB, the Founder and Patron of Don Bosco Centre, Yelagiri Hills. The imposing
personality with the smiling face that went about the campus was lying still and the thundering
voice that reverberated in the minds and hearts of us all was silent. A feeling of emptiness loomed
large in everyone’s face. But then the sober thought that he has gone for his eternal reward
subdued our mixed emotions.
Sun-drenched face with familiar wrinkles, forehead with lined strips that spoke of strong mind of
facing toughest situations in life; tanned skin, toughened hand, most powerful voice, a man of
medium height, At 87, could go around with full confidence on a motor around the complex, such
was the man, Fr. Guezou.
Life is an open book for interpretation and inspiration, and not for calumniating. Fr Guezou’s life
holds good the same. The shock of cultural transplantation demanded his psychological strains.
He is no longer the French man, but Indian (Salesian) missionary. The salesianness that bloomed
in Kerala didn’t happen in Yelagiri hills. It came very late but profoundly in late 90’s. Until then he
was found battling his vagueness in missionary charism.
Life of a Pioneer
What God has for Guezou in this obscure hill? Was he academician? A Self-fulfilled Catholic
seer? Did he sat and spent time on reflection and wrote bombastic spiritual statements unmindful
of the people in his opposite hut struggling with poverty? No. Guezou is not made for that. It is the
same story of D-Day that led to Europe’s liberation. The pioneer has to suffer, even if that costs
his life. Since 1962, Fr. Guezou had made Yelagiri his home. It was the road less travelled by.
As a farmer, Fr. Guezou ploughed hard, planted and nurtured, and God gave the growth. Fr.
Guezou offered his life for the young people of Tamil Nadu. He went about doing good, digging
wells, constructing schools, boardings, home for the street children, dispensaries… He seemed to
be at his self when the young people were around. That was the Salesian in him and those who
came in contact with him saw a friend in him. Those came to him for money, surely would never
have seen him other than a “funding-being”. It depends on the perspective of the people.
A stranger to the land, language, customs, food, weather and what not, Fr. Guezou had the
courage and conviction to withstand all trials, tribulations and retaliation from the very people for
whom he toiled. Many a time, he was exposed to dangers and threats. In the beginning people
misunderstood him for an intruder into their customs and faith. But in his own graceful ways he
won them over. There were times when he had to stand before the police and the court. He faced
the challenging situations with indomitable courage.
Man of Action
Fr. Guezou was a man of action. He detested ‘long meetings’. He wanted the people to work
more and talk less. He was deeply contemplative too. Punctuality was characteristic of Fr.
Guezou. He would awake very early and be on time for prayer, be on time for all the functions
and community meals. And he would expect the same from everyone.
Mr. Vijayakumar, the Managing Director of Anabond Pvt. Ltd., a beneficiary, spoke thus, “Father
would cheerfully give the money - more than what I would have asked for. In the happiness of
others he found his own happiness.”
The construction of a water reservoir with large storage area stands as a living monument for the
far-sighted vision and ingenuity of Fr Guezou.
A Mission to Continue
Fr. Francis Guezou had a deep conviction that only quality education can pave way for the
upliftment of the rural mass. Thus was born the evening school for the working boys and girls, St.
Charles School, DBC Boarding, and BICS InfoTech (BIIT and BOSCO ITS). More than 110 boys
and girls from the hill are given education scholarships for their higher education every year.
Hundreds of youth who studied here are well placed in the society.
Enduring Saga
The news of Fr Francis Guezou’s death reached all corners in lightening speed. Crowds of
people - officials, labourers, police, religious, non-believers, poor, rich, lame and the sick - from
far and near thronged to the Don Bosco Centre to pay him homage. They wept for him as if they
had lost their own. The shops on Yelagiri Hills were closed and life came to a standstill.
His death has left us an aching void, but the rich and unique legacy that he has left behind is
enough to sustain us, generations together. His memories will linger on. Fr. Guezou dwells in our
midst in unwritten memorial, graven in the hearts of people. His virtues, ideals, aspirations,
desire, longings will be commemorated, cherished and lived by everyone forever. A person of
great self-discipline with a sense of humour, Fr. Guezou was a great gift that God had given us.
His life and work has been legendary in nature and magnitude.
For the funeral service on January 30, 2009 the campus was filled with grief-stricken people,
each one of them wanting to have a last glimpse of Fr. Guezou. With two bishops, the regional
superior, Provincials and a great number of priest and religious, the funeral service was touching
and poignant. Celine, the grandniece of Fr. Guezou bid farewell to him, on behalf of her family.
The people of the hill took the mortal remains of Fr. Guezou ceremoniously in a flower decked
vehicle, around the village and paid their homage in their tribal custom. Fr. Guezou was buried in
the Christ the Redeemer chapel built by him at Don Bosco Centre, Yelagiri Hills. The Month’s
Mind celebration, presided over by the Provincial on March 01, 2009 was yet another occasion to
witness how Fr. Guezou endeared himself to the people and to the Salesian Community.
The words of Mr. Stanislaus Ernoult, President of the Association of Friends of Fr. Francis
Guezou speaks volumes on the impact that Fr. Guezou has left behind:
“Your thoughts and spirit are the link between us and we want to thank you for the following:
To have opened our eyes and showed us the way to love each other
To have given to us so many brothers and sisters in India
To have opened the door to our hearts
To have shared your life, your joys, your difficulties and above all your determination
To have made us live the words: Let us be one”
Retreat House with 20 rooms was built at Don Bosco, Yelagiri Hills.
1979
(Now serves as guesthouse)
TESTIMONIALS
Fr. Guezou is a true son of Don Bosco and an outstanding Missionary. His contribution to
education of the poor children of the tribal belt is a replica of the type of activity initiated by Don
Bosco himself.
Rev. Fr. Fabio Attard SDB, Salesian General Councillor for Youth Ministry, Rome
Fr Guezou – The Man I have witnessed
Fr. Guezou respected and valued every individual – big and small, rich and poor, good and bad,
powerful and the weak, useful or useless – and treated them equally. All of them including lepers
sat at table with him.
He was compassionate to the poor and gave cheerfully. Never did he consider himself as the
“Generous Giver and the poor as the “miserable beggars”. He did not like publicity. He did not
expect people to be grateful. He would ask, “When you feed a sparrow, do you expect it to sing
your praises every morning?”
A humane person that he was, he had a perfect understanding of people, their strengths and
weaknesses. He never passed judgement. Nor would he publicly or privately discuss the
mistakes or defects of people. He did not make people feel guilty. He always chose to help the
very individual who caused him pain, following, in letter and spirit, the teachings of Jesus Christ
to love the enemies and do good to them.
He would readily and instantly forgive and forget. He forgave the drunkards who abused him,
listened to those who cursed him. In return for their insults, he gave them his love and help. If he
happens to initiate an action against an offender, the next moment he would relent and withdraw.
And in case he had hurt someone, Father Guezou would apologize to him instantly.