Brother Marcelino Ganzaraín, General Councilor from 1985 to 2001, passed away
On Sunday morning, October 13, Br. Marcelino Santiago Ganzaraín Gómez, of the Province of America Central, died at the Champagnat Residence in Guatemala. A native of Cuba, he was 85 years old and had been a Marist religious for 62 years.
“Today, in the sadness of his departure, we recognize his invaluable work and his fruitful Marist journey,” said Brother Juan Carlos Bolaños, Provincial of América Central, communicating his death to the brothers and lay Marists.
Brother Marcelino was elected General Councilor of the Marist Institute at the XVIII General Chapter in 1985 and re-elected in 1993.
He stood out as a teacher, spiritual companion and visionary of religious life. Br. Marcelino was a born leader; his jovial and fraternal character allowed him to carry out multiple missions at the service of the Province and the Marist Institute:
- Professor in the formation houses of Spain: Juniorate of Miranda de Ebro: 1966-1969.
- Teacher in Guatemala: Liceo Guatemala Secundaria: 1970-1971.
- Director of Scholasticate: Marist University Residence, Guatemala 1972-1975.
- Master of Novices: in Miranda de Ebro 1975, in Venta de Baños 1976-1980.
- Provincial Superior of Central America: 1980-1985.
- General Councilor of the Marist Institute: Elected at the XVIII General Chapter, Rome, 1985-1993. Re-elected at the XIX General Chapter, Rome. 1993-2001.
- Presence and service in various communities of the Province: Estelí, Nicaragua 2002; Postulancy in Chinautla, Guatemala 2003-2008; Los Chiles, Costa Rica 2009-2011.
The last 13 years of his life were spent between the Champagnat Residence and the Provincial Residence of Guatemala, in various provincial services, accompanying the Fraternities of the MCHFM and in the care of the elderly and sick brothers.
“The news goes beyond the limits of our Province of Central America, since his career as a Marist Brother has been long and well known in many parts of the world. His jovial character, attentive and sensitive to the brothers and the laity, provokes in us a deep gratitude”, emphasized Brother Juan Carlos.
Rest in peace, Brother Marcelino and intercede for Marist life.