Fr. Cyril (Robert) Guise of the Mother of God was born in Philadelphia, PA to Harry and Mary V. (nee McGrath) Guise. He 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. Soon after his ordination, Fr. Cyril was called to minister in our Philippine missions; he served there till his return to the United States in 1964. He then took up his new ministry at our retreat house in Peterborough, NH as Vicar, serving in the vocation’s office till 1966. 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 until 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. Fr. Cyril settled at Holy Hill in 1994 and was elected Prior in 1996 for a three-year term. He remained at Holy Hill, serving as Director of the Development Office and ministering to the pilgrims who came to the Shrine-celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, raising money for the shrine, 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 entered Eternal Life on April 4, 2024, at the age of 92 and is buried at the Carmelite Cemetery in Hubertus, Wisconsin.