Fr. Robert Cyril Guise OCD

Fr. Robert Cyril Guise, OCD entered Eternal Life on Aril 4, 2024 at the age of 92.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA to Harry and Mary V. (McGrath) Guise. Fr. Cyril

was a priest of the Washington Province of Discalced Carmelite Friars for almost 65

years and a professed religious for almost 73 years.  Fr. Cyril entered religious life

on August 21st, 1950, at the age of 19 and made his first profession of vows a year later. 

His solemn profession took place in 1954 at the age of 23, and he was ordained to the

priesthood on June 6, 1959, around the age of 28. Soon after his ordination to the priesthood,

Fr. Cyril was called to minister in our missions in the Philippines; he served there till his return in 1964. At this time, he took up his new ministry at our retreat house in Peterborough, NH

as Vicar, serving in the vocation’s office till 1966. Then in 1966 he went off to Brookline, MA

as Assistant Mission Procurator, holding this office for one year. Then off he went to Waverly, NY as Prior while serving as chaplain in the local hospital. He served in this capacity till 1980. 

After this, he went to San Bernardino, CA to serve as a hospital chaplain till 1984. Then the Lord called him to Martinsburg, WV to continue his ministry as a hospital chaplain till 1987. At this point in his life, he was called to Saint Florian Parish in Milwaukee, WI, to serve as Prior and Pastor till 1990. Finally, Fr. Cyril settled at Holy Hill in 1994 and was elected Prior in 1996 for a three-year term.  He has been at Holy Hill ever since, serving as Director of the Development Office and ministering to the pilgrims who come to the Shrine, whether at Mass, confession,

raising money for the shrine and basilica, and for monastery renovations, golfing at the Saints and Sinners fundraiser, blessing religious objects or simply welcoming the many groups

that came to Holy Hill and offering them a farewell blessing as they entered their busses and returned home. Fr. Cyril kept in close contact with his family and friends, such as: Amy Hemphill (niece), Joanne Shannon (cousin), Loraine DiSanti (cousin), Betsy Weber (cousin), and long-time friends Rita Connelly and Shirley Klauser (wife of Jim who recently passed). He will be greatly missed by his religious community at Holy Hill and by all who knew and loved him. Funeral arrangements will be with Berndt-Ledesma Funeral Home in Hartford, WI.  The Vigil and Funeral Mass will be in the upper shrine at Holy Hill. Hours will be: April 16th Vigil: 1pm-4pm and 7pm-10pm. April 17th Vigil: 9:30-10:30am followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Fr. Cyril will be laid to rest in our Province Cemetery located on the grounds of Holy Hill. Mary, Help of Christians, and Queen of Carmel pray for us all.  Amen.

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