Thanksgiving Mass for Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez
One month after his death on February 4, the community of the General Council and the General Administration of the Institute participated in a Mass of thanksgiving for the life and Marist vocation of Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez, Vicar General of the Institute, who died on January 4, 2025. The celebration, presided over by Father John Larsen, Superior General of the Marist Fathers, was attended by Brother Luis Carlos’ mother, Loren Blanco, and his sister, Martha Gutiérrez Blanco.
“Personally, his passing is a great sadness and a painful loss. As Vicar General, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the service of the Institute over these past eight years”, said Brother Ernesto Sánchez, Superior General, during the celebration. He added: “May the Word of God strengthen our faith and hope as we face the sorrow of losing our Brother Luis Carlos. Let us remember, with gratitude, all the good he has done throughout his years of service in the Institute of the Marist Brothers.”
The celebration was attended by the brothers of the General Council, together with the brothers and laypeople of the General Administration, the group of brothers who are taking part in the “Looking Beyond” formation program in Manziana, some brothers and laypeople from the Province of Mediterránea, from Italy, various priests, sisters and priests from the Marist branches, as well as other religious from other congregations.
We reproduce below Brother Ernesto’s words during the Mass.
Words of Brother Ernesto Sánchez Barba, Superior General, at the Eucharist on February 4, 2025
Thank you for your presence at this Eucharistic celebration, where we entrust to God and to Mary, our Good Mother, our Brother Luis Carlos Gutiérrez Blanco, who passed away a month ago in Spain.
We accompany his mother, Loren, his sister Martha, and his family on this journey, and we are grateful that they have come to Rome to be with us today.
As we gather now, with the entire General Council community present, we wish to celebrate this Eucharist in thanksgiving for the life and vocation of our dear Brother Luis Carlos.
I extend my gratitude to Father John Larsen, Superior General of the Marist Fathers, and to the priests who have joined us for this occasion.
I also thank the members of the Marist congregations—Fathers, Sisters, and Missionary Sisters—who are here today.
My appreciation goes to the General House community, to the lay men and women who minister here, and to the Brothers present, including those from the international program at Manziana and various communities in Italy.
To all those who have traveled from other religious congregations, thank you for being with us.
We all share in the sorrow of losing Brother Luis Carlos. Personally, his passing is a great sadness and a painful loss. As Vicar General, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the service of the Institute over these past eight years. The outpouring of messages we have received from so many Brothers and Lay Marists speaks to the impact of his life and mission.
Looking back, we remember all the good he has done in the Institute—from his early years in the Province of Central America, which he entered at a very young age, to his service at the Institute level as Vicar General.
For me personally, his presence and dedication were a great support. He played a key role in advancing the mission of the Institute, particularly in the areas of education and evangelization. He worked closely with the Secretariat of Education and Evangelization, fostering the creation and development of networks of schools, universities, and publishing houses. Through CMI, he also encouraged and supported volunteer work.
He accompanied the development of the Institute’s regional structures, collaborating with the link Councillors.
He promoted the theme of servant and prophetic leadership, as proposed by the XXII General Chapter.
At my request, he represented the Institute in Provincial and District Chapters, Assemblies, and visitations, often in challenging situations.
He also engaged with other religious congregations and provided invaluable assistance in civil and legal matters to ensure the safeguarding of our mission.
Above all, we walked this journey together in service as Superior General and Vicar General, supporting and encouraging one another, even in difficult moments.
Today, we have heard the Gospel of the Beatitudes, a passage that illuminates our path as disciples of Jesus.
Pope Francis, in a homily on the Beatitudes, offered these words of reflection:
“Dear brothers and sisters, this is the way of holiness, and it is the very way of happiness. It is the way that Jesus traveled. Indeed, He himself is the Way: those who walk with Him and proceed through Him enter into life, into eternal life. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be simple and humble people, the grace to be able to weep, the grace to be meek, the grace to work for justice and peace, and above all, the grace to let ourselves be forgiven by God so as to become instruments of His mercy.” (Pope Francis, Homily, November 1, 2015)
May the Word of God strengthen our faith and hope as we face the sorrow of losing our Brother Luis Carlos. Let us remember, with gratitude, all the good he has done throughout his years of service in the Institute of the Marist Brothers.
This year, as we embark on the journey of the Jubilee Year, we are called to be “witnesses of hope”, as Pope Francis reminds us. Even in our grief, may we live with hope, trusting that our lives come from God and remain forever in Him, our Father and Creator.
May Mary, our Good Mother, and Saint Marcellin, our Founder, hold Luis Carlos in their hands. We thank Mary and continue to place our trust in her, for she—like Marcellin–loves us with great closeness and tenderness.
May our brother now rest in God’s abundant peace.