RIP: 22/10/2022 - Hamont-Achel (B)

Fr. René Gijbels was born on 22 August 1943 in Peer. He grew up on the Hork, Sint-Huibrechts-Lille. Throughout his life, Fr. René maintained close ties with the parish of Hamont-Lo. There he attended primary school and Salvator College and was also allowed to celebrate his first Mass after his ordination in Heverlee on 6 July 1969. Father René engaged in youth pastoral work, initially from Heverlee, and from 1973 in Scherpenheuvel. In 1980, a retreat house called Salvator was established there, where many young people from the Flandres came to find orientation for their lives during school reflection days. In addition, Fr. René was active in sports. He was an outstanding athlete and won many running competitions and enjoyed widespread fame. In later years, Father René was the inspirer of the centre “De Pelgrim”, near the basilica of Scherpenheuvel, where he devoted himself to welcoming the many pilgrims. Within the Salvatorian community, Fr. René was provincial superior for 3 consecutive terms of office and as such visited missions all over the world. He was also committed to the Lay Salvatorians, especially the Friday Evening Group, which he guided for many years. Fr. René spent his last years of life in the nursinghome WZC-De Beverdijk in Achel. As long as his health permitted, he enjoyed walking in the Achel Woods. Father René died on 22 October 2022 after still receiving the sacrament of sick. He was 79 years old and had been a Salvatorian for 59 years.