August 27, 2019
(UPDATED, August 28, 2019) This is to inform you that BRO. FAUSTINO G. REFUERZO, S.J. died about 9:45 p.m. last night, August 26, 2019, in the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center. He was suffering from various ailments, but the immediate cause of death was pneumonia. Bro. Refuerzo, 91, entered the Society on 2 May 1955 and took his final vows on 15 August 1965.
Wake: The wake will begin Tuesday p.m. in the JHWC and on Wednesday afternoon be moved to the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies, Ateneo de Manila Univ. campus, Loyola Heights, Q. C. Daily wake Masses at 8 p.m.
Funeral Mass: On Friday, 30 August at 8 a.m., also in the Oratory of St. Ignatius.
Interment: Sacred Heart Novitiate Jesuit Cemetery, right after the Funeral Mass.
Requiescat in pace.
BIOGRAPHY OF BRO. FAUSTINO G. REFUERZO, S.J. (1928-2019)
By Sch. Amado T. Tumbali, S.J., Asst. Province Archivist
Bro. Faustino Gagaoin Refuerzo, S.J. was born on 22 May 1928 in Agoo, La Union where he got his primary education at Cubal Barrio School (1936-1939) and Luna Academy (1941). He continued his secondary education at Luna Academy (1941-42) but the Second World War interrupted his studies. Schooling, however, resumed three years after at Christ the King Academy (1945-46) and St. Mary’s Academy, Agoo (1948).
He entered as a temporal coadjutor novice in Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches on 2 May 1955. Other Jesuits entering that same year were Frs. Mateo Sanchez, Candido Lim, and Benjamin Sim. After first perpetual vows, Bro. Ref stayed on at Sacred Heart Novitiate as Asst. Librarian and Infirmarian (1957-59). Afterwards, he received training as a nursing aide in San Juan de Dios Hospital, Philippine General Hospital, and Singian Memorial Hospital (1959-60) while then assigned in San Jose Seminary, Highway 54 as Asst. Infirmarian and kitchen supervisor.
After his training, Bro. Ref was back in Novaliches as Sacristan, Treasurer, and Infirmarian (1960-61). Then, he moved to the Jesuit Residence of Ateneo de Manila University as Asst. Minister, Infirmarian, Sacristan, and Beadle of Brothers (1960-64) and on to Xavier House in Sta. Ana as prefect of table reading and Asst. Sacristan. (1964-65). In his tenth year as a Jesuit, he did Tertianship (January-April 1965) at Sacred Heart Novitiate under Fr. James G. Koller, S.J. and professed final vows on there on 15 August 1965. He remained at the Novitiate taking on several tasks: Asst. Treasurer and Infirmarian (1965-70); in-charge of kitchen (1965-72); Minister, Historian; Prefect of Health; and chapel custodian (1971-73); and Consultor (1971-72).
Back to Loyola Heights, Br. Ref studied Theology at Loyola School of Theology while serving as Minister, Consultor, and Prefect of Health for the Jesuit Community of Manila Observatory. (1973-75). He then became the longest serving Minister of Loyola House of Studies for an uninterrupted term of fifteen years (1975-90) under five Rectors (Frs. Tanseco, Hontiveros, Nebres, Ocampo, and Salanga)! He was also Consultor, Treasurer, Prefect of Health, and Guestmaster. After this, his skill in temporal administration had him back in Manila Observatory as Minister, Treasurer, Consultor, Prefect of Health, Purchaser, and Guestmaster (1990-98) and in Xavier House as Consultor and Minister (1998-2005).
In his fiftieth year as a Jesuit, Bro. Ref was missioned to Sacred Heart Novitiate (2005-08). No longer burdened by tasks related to community temporalities, he spent these years edifying the novices by his presence, particularly in praying the Rosary and teaching them Latin Marian and Eucharistic songs, not to mention pitching during Softball games, and hitting backspins in Tennis.
Finally, after decades of caring for so many Jesuits, it was Bro. Ref’s turn to be taken care of as he prayed for the Church and the ministries of the Society of Jesus. He first resided in Jesus M. Lucas Infirmary in Loyola House of Studies (2008-16) and then moved to the newly opened Jesuit Health and Wellness Center (2016-19). He still managed to continue service. Until his recent ailments and decline, he was a familiar figure preparing for and serving all the Masses in the infirmary chapel.
Bro. Ref. died at about 9:45 p.m. on 26 August 2019 in his room at the JHWC. He succumbed to respiratory failure from pneumonia at the age of 91. He had spent sixty-four years in the Society of Jesus, mostly in dedicated and humble service to houses of formation and other communities in Metro Manila.
Bro. Ref’s wake begins on 27 August in the chapel of the JHWC. On the afternoon of 28 August, his remains will be transferred to the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies. Interment will be in the Jesuit Cemetery at Sacred Heart Novitiate after the 8 a.m. funeral mass on 30 August. R.I.P.