BROTHERS CMM

in memoriam
BROTHER
CAMILLE (A.D.J.) GERETS
BROTHER
MARCEL (J.M.) ACHTEN
He was born in Lanaken, Belgium on April 15, 1928
and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of
Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, in Tilburg on August
29, 1945. He made his profession for life on August
15, 1951. He died on November 19, 2012 at the
brotherhouse in Zonhoven and was buried at the
Zonhoven-Centrum cemetery.
Born in Lanaken he got to know the brothers at
the primary school. Meeting them became the
foundation of his vocation to the religious life.
Brother Camille was very talented, his interests were
many. In all simplicity he was a motivated teacher of
Mathematics at the St. John Berchmans Institute at
Zonhoven. In 1960 he was asked to be a part-time
supervisor at the boarding facility. In 1967 CMM
founded the Province of Belgium. Besides being a
teacher Brother Camille was asked to take on the
function of provincial bursar. With total dedication
he managed for 45 years the financial affairs of the
province and kept the books. It must have been a
true cross to him when he had to cope with health
problems, which in the end forced him in 1983 to
say goodbye to teaching. He accepted his cross and
carried on with his life. It was typical for his mental
resilience, his ability to persevere and his optimism.
Brother Camille was attentive to the needs of others.
Humbly and caringly he helped where help was
needed. Thus he lived out his vocation as a brother
and he did what Jesus did: to serve and enlighten,
to speak a redeeming word, to be a helping hand for
many.
He was born in Helchteren, Belgium on December
12, 1911 and entered the Congregation of the
Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, in Tilburg on
December 8, 1928. He made his profession for life
on August 15, 1933. He died on December 3, 2012 at
the brotherhouse in Zonhoven and was buried at the
Zonhoven-Centrum cemetery.
Jaak Achten left his place of birth in Helchteren,
Belgium, in 1928 to move to Tilburg, The Netherlands,
where he began his novitiate as Brother Marcel. After
achieving his Teacher’s Certificate he was appointed
to teach at the Primary School for the Deaf in
Maaseik. After some years he became principal of the
same school. In 1955 he became the first principal
and remained so for 26 years of the renowned
Royal Institute for the Deaf and Hearing impaired at
Hasselt. He really cared for his students and he would
do anything for them to ensure they would do well in
society. Civil authorities expressed their appreciation
by rewarding him with a Royal medal: first Silver and
later the Golden Palm of the Order of the Crown. For
many years Brother Marcel acted as superior, deputy
or as a board-member of the community in Maaseik
and Hasselt. In 1978 and 1987 he spent a good deal
of time in Kenya to assist brothers and teachers in
their work for the deaf and hearing impaired. Brother
Marcel was given a long life, a very long life. In spite
of his old age and weakening health he participated
as much as possible in community life. With deep
faith and trust he looked forward to his final meeting
with the Lord of Love and Life. That wish has now
been granted.
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