RIP: 18/04/2024 - Hamont

Fr. Piet Stevens was born on 24 January 1937 in Hamont but grew up in the Maasland village of Leut. He did his secondary studies at Salvator College in Hamont and following the example of his elder brother, Fr. Jos Stevens SDS, he joined the Salvatorians and pronounced his first religious vows, after having completed the novitiate in Passau, on 8 September 1957. After finishing his studies of philosophy and theology, he was ordained a priest in Hasselt on 31 March 1963. Fr. Piet then served in the Salvatorian mission in Congo for 56 years. In the first years, he served as a young missionary in the Salvatorian boarding school at Ntita secondary school in Kapanga. When this school, along with all other schools in Congo was nationalised, Fr. Piet was appointed parish priest in the parish of Notre Dame de Fatima, the largest parish in the diocese of Kolwezi. Besides ordinary pastoral duties, he paid special attention to the poor, sick, and disabled. After 20 years of pastoral service, Fr. Piet was relocated to Tshabula, where he was assigned to further complete the construction of the formation house. He also became chaplain to the prisoners in Kolwezi. Father Piet’s last stage in Congo was spent in Lubumbashi, in the Salvatorian procure, where he enjoyed welcoming and serving confreres passing through. Due to illness, Fr. Piet had to return to Belgium, where he stayed for several more years in the community of Hamont. Thanks to the devoted care of confreres and medical staff, Father Piet was able to stay there until the last. On 18 April 2024, he could close his eyes peacefully to pass into the Light of Resurrection and come home to his Saviour, whom he had been privileged to serve all his life. Father Piet was 87 years old and had been a Salvatorian for 66 years.