Well Done, Good and Faithful Servants

Fr. Antonio Moreno, SJ, Provincial, Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus writes:

As we celebrated the bicentennial year of the society of Jesus’ Restoration, ten (10)* Philippine Province Jesuits were born to eternal life.(Since this article’s publication in the Windhover ,Year XVI, Vol. 4, 2014,  two (2) more Jesuits have returned to Our Creator, namely: Fr.Vicente Marasigan, SJ and Fr.Jaime Bulatao, SJ).

We are most grateful for the many years of generous service these our brethren have rendered to the Society and to the Church; more so, for the inspiration and hope that their lives brought to ours. Each has his own gift to contribute. Some were scholars-men of depth and the relentless pursuit of truth. Others were tireless pastors who looked after the flock of the Lord. Some were leaders, others foot soldiers who faithfully accomplished the missions entrusted to them.

Despite their shortcomings and frailties, the Lord of the Vineyard called and sent them to be living witnesses of God’s loving presence in our world. We joyfully celebrate their lives and bless the Lord for giving these Jesuits to us. May St. Ignatius of Loyola recognize in them his true companions in this least Society of Jesus. And may Christ the Lord whom they served welcome them with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servants!”

Fr. Robert Cunningham

 

“Towards the end of his Regency, on 14 March 1952, Bob wrote to Fr. Leo Cullum, Mission Superior, Bob had asked for transfer to the Philippines. He said, ‘I had no doubt whatsoever as to my decision when I first asked for a change and now I am even more determined that God has called me to work here in the Philippines for His greater honor and glory.'” – Fr. Bill Abbott, SJ

Fr. Joseph Smith, SJ

“He was one of the few real scholars at LST. He never spoke without deliberation, research, reflection; one whose theological judgement one could trust, because it was always well-pondered. He took the trouble to read and check up on every footnote in a student’s paper and thus paid his students the tribute of taking them seriously and respectfully.” – Fr. Danny Huang, SJ

One single aspect we must note:  the unobtrusive fidelity to his daily prayer, in the choir loft before and after his morning Mass, that very private Mass always celebrated with a quiet reverence: the daily prayer of the breviary, again with unfailing regularity of time and even place-overlooking the Marikina valley; the almost secret evening prayer-period,  really hidden in the dark in the oratory, when most people had already retired.  One scholastic once remarked at a community meeting that “Father’s unintended but constant example of faithful prayer was a rock of support for his (the scholastic’s) own life of faith” – Fr. Catalino Arevalo, SJ

Fr. John Schumacher, SJ

“He was highly praised, then, by his intellectual peers and academic colleagues, but he was also a deeply vulnerable man as well. A giant of a scholar, a scholar’s scholar, but Fr, Jack was aware of his limitations and difficulties, struggling to be fair to those who thought differently than he did. A passionate scholar indeed, but a very human one who had very human needs like friendship and companionship.”

Fr. Jack considered his greatest legacy to be a readings book, not the many books he himself had written, but a compilation of extracts from primary sources whose targeted readers are scholastics, seminarians, lay and religious men and women, priests,  If that does not tell us about where Fr. Jack’s final and ultinate hopes lay, then we have failed miserably to understand him as a Jesuit, Church historian, teacher, writer, mentor, translator,etc., whose life and work had always been discreetly dedicated and daily delivered to Jesus Christ and his Church. – Fr. Tony de Castro, SJ

Fr. Randolph Lumabao, SJ

 

“Randy had a way of expressing an opinion that drowned possible dissent, not because he was bigoted, but mainly on account of the high decibels produced when he passionately contented a point. However, there was a certain charm to Randy’s persistence, the sort of aural magnetism that a radio audience develops listening to a frank and forceful commentator. People often mistook Randy’s manner of speaking for what he actually meant.  He was not afraid to speak his mind, even if it ruffled a few feathers. And ruffled them he did with gusto and style.

Yet behind Randy’s often abrasive manner was his love for humor.  He would not spare a moment to share what he recently read or heard that tickled his funny bone… Oftentimes, Randy himself was the subject of these exchanges. He never minded anyway.  At times he would even welcome jokes delivered at this expense.  One time, in a chapel in Miarayon, after a particularly exhausting Mass, Randy plopped himself onto a wooden bench.  the act was so abrupt that the bench squeaked loudly.  Before the people could react, Randy uttered, ” Ngano man, karon pa kamo nakakita ng tambok nga pari (Why, is the the first time you’ve seen a fat priest)?” To which the congregation erupted in nervous laughter.” – Fr. Weng Bava, SJ

 Fr. Aureo Nepomuceno, SJ

“He liked to joke about people, and so people also teased him. But he hardly got irritated. He was never pikon. His joy was to see people laugh with him. He was always jolly and cheerful. People enjoyed his company, his jokes and, at times, his naughty remarks. Our ministry in Zamboanga–given the conflicts, the threat of kidnap-for-ransom, the lack of security- was tough, and yet somehow we knew somebody would cheer us up.  There was always laughter and  fun because he was such a happy presence. We looked forward to coming home because there would be laughter and fun with Fr. Nepo around.  Personally, I can say he kept me going amid the challenges I had to face, the decisions I had to make. He made my exercise of leadership bearable. He unknowingly had a way of easing my stress with this practical words of wisdom: ‘Don’t be too serious.'” – Fr. Tony Moreno, SJ

 Fr. Thomas Steinbugler, SJ

“One member of a European agency that supported the JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) wrote these lines:’Above all, I will remember him as a man of great solidarity with the plight of men, women, and children in sorrow, need and despair. Not one meeting with him has passed without Fr. Tom expressing his concern for people and organizations known to him and not being on the radar of international agencies like ours.” – Fr. Mark Raper, SJ

“In the latter years of his life, he was very actively involved in campus ministry activities here at the Ateneo de Manila.  He loved to hear confessions for the recollections of the students.  He would come well prepared, bringing an extra handkerchief for students when they would cry.  He would spend much time with each student enabling the confession to a life-changing experience.  He also loved to say Mass for the students, sometimes breaking down and crying during his homilies.  Many students would maintain a lasting relationship with Fr. Stein, visiting him for spiritual direction at the Jesuit Residence and joining him for lunch. He loved his work in campus ministry and was saddened when his poor health no l0nger made it possible to leave the Jesuit Residence.”- Fr. Pat Giordano, SJ

 Fr. John Carroll, SJ

“And perhaps, in a most privileged manner, those of us who have worked for what is now known as the John J. Carrol Insitute on Church and Social Issues beheld the light of his zeal shining most brightly, at times even glaringly.  There were the strict work hours,  The fear and trembling as we awaited comments from him for written submitted for his approval.  His disdain for what he would call the “plotting and scheming” that would distract from more important tasks i the office. His wagging finger and sarcastic smile whenever work was not up to his standards..”His insistence on spartan work conditions-no aircon in the ICSI offices before 1pm (and no aircon at all in his office), not only to reduce the electricity bill, but because Fr. Jack insisted that the poor visiting us should see us united in their plight even in the smallest of ways. This was very meaningful, but as you can imagine it also made work at in the ICSI office uncomfortable at times.  All this was a challenge for those working with him, but the burden was borne gladly because it represented who Fr. Jack was and what he was committed to.  And in the end we realized, sometimes grudgingly, that we have become better persons because of it.  Fr. Jack’s light burns on in the hearts of many whom he guided and inspired.” – Fr. Robert Rivera, SJ

 Fr. Luis Candelaria, SJ

“Whether you taught Latin, religion or theology, whether you taught English or conducted the Ateneo glee Club, you were always opening doors and windows to new experiences.  Your were the consummate pedagogue, a picturesque word whose Greek roots mean one who leads children-like a shepherd leading the flock to verdant pastures and running streams.

Humor is what you had. Your child-like gift to enjoy the moment, to enjoy the warmth and affection of friends and family-your Jesuit family-is a treasure to be cherished. It is a gift that made you the happiest old man I have known, and who leaves only joyful memories.  I hope in heaven you will be happier, when you meet Horace de la Costa and when you see Fr. George Gorrospe, whom we suspected was the one who stole your record in heaven’s Book of Life so that it took you such a long time to return home,  St. Peter finally found your files and outwitted George.”                                     – Fr. Rene Javellana, SJ

Fr. Victor Badillo, SJ

“He had a terrific nightlife like no other Jesuit; the roof deck at the Manila Observatory was full of excitement, a slow and ponderous awe. Watching Uranus and its moons rise over the Sierra Madre in the early hours of the morning-this was the best cocktail of physics and mysticism.  He had no agenda and had many experiments on the side; the last one I remember was with orchids on the third floor.  He was kind and uncomplicated in his ways, talking and inquiring about all things in a personal way.  When we wanted to plant trees on the ground, he saw them as our stars that we like to watch grow, and so had the “green alert” team, and some joined him for the night sky also.  He wrote to me when the first group of children graduated from the Bendum school in the mountains of Bukidnon, far away from his experience and daily life.  He saw this as like his own Sunday apostolate.  He was not rigid about his duty to science.  He wrote again a kind letter to me when my mother died,  as he did for many others, always thoughtful.”        – Fr. Pedro Walpole, SJ

 Fr. Ramon Mores, SJ

“As Prefect of Discipline in Ateneo de Davao, he was a man of order who kept the traditional practices.  But beneath his strict and serious externals, Fr. Mon had a thoughtful, compassionate heart.  He enjoyed giving candies that he received from his friends in the US to Children.  And he would often give money to the Parish employees to buy banana-cue or ice cream for snacks.  The Lumen Christi and the parish scholars are grateful for his support in promoting their bibingka project after Mass. He called them divine bibingka.” – Fr. Ben Sim, SJ

“Mon was not a noted theologian or an astute philosopher or an historian, but he was a Good Shepherd of souls and a good administrator. His presence lit up any room he entered; he was approachable, a simple Jesuit with many more blessings the Father in heaven will give him.” – Fr. Nick Cruz, SJ

 Fr. Vicente Marasigan, SJ

“I think Fr  Mara’s greatest contribution  came from  service in these fields of his special studies and in related areas.  Through the 50s, 60s, 70s he taught physics, astrophysics, cosmology, scientific questions to different groups at San  Jose Seminary, Berchmans College in Cebu and Novaliches and the present Loyola School of Theology. I took one of his courses in Scientific Questions in Physics and felt that he was one of the best teachers I had ever had. He was amazingly sharp, clear and interesting. But he was a man with other interests and talents, and so he taught Spanish, Psychology of Education at Berchmans College, and Philosophy and Theology at the Ateneo de Manila University. I think he spent much time studying the writings of Bernard Lonergan. – Fr. Assandas Balchand, SJ

Fr. Jaime C. Bulatao, SJ

 On Fr. Bu