January 4, 2017
This is to inform you that FR. OSCAR A. MILLAR, S.J. died early on January 4, 2017 in the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center, Loyola Heights, Q.C. Fr. Oscar, 89, entered the Society on 15 July 1943 and was ordained a priest on 22 June 1957.
The wake will be in the Oratory of St. Ignatius, Loyola House of Studies, AdMU campus, Loyola Heights, Q. C., starting tonight. Daily wake Masses at 8 p.m.
The funeral Mass is on Saturday, 7 January at 8:30 a.m. in the Oratory of St. Ignatius. Interment follows at Sacred Heart Novitiate cemetery, Novaliches, right after the funeral Mass.
Requiescat in Pace.
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BIOGRAPHY OF FR. OSCAR A. MILLAR, SJ
By Sch. Amado T. Tumbali, S.J. (Asst. Province Archivist)
Fr. Oscar Abadilla Millar, S.J. was born on 12 October 1927 in Lucena, Tayabas (Quezon). He finished grade school at the Ateneo de Manila Grade School in Padre Faura (1935-39). He started secondary studies in the same institution in 1940 but was interrupted on account of World War II.
He joined the Jesuits at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches on 15 July 1943. Wartime complications led him and his fellow novices to continue their formation in La Ignaciana. They returned to Novaliches in 1945 as juniors. There he studied Philosophy at the adjacent building of then St. Robert Bellarmine College (1948-51). He did his regency at Ateneo de Zamboanga (1951-54) where he taught Religion, English, and Social Science. He was also basketball coach and moderator of Dramatics, Sodality, and Intramurals. He took up Theology at Woodstock College, Maryland, U.S.A. (1954-58) where he earned Bachelor in Sacred Theology. His batch included Frs. Eugene Moran, John Schumacher, Joseph Smith, Prudencio Macayan, John Moran, Thomas Murphy, Emmanuel Non, and Ernesto Carretero. They were ordained on 22 June 1957 at Fordham University Chapel, Bronx, New York, U.S.A. He did tertianship at Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York, U.S.A. and professed final vows on 2 February 1978 at Immaculate Conception Chapel, Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City.
Fr. Oscar’s first assignment as a priest was in Xavier University (1959-64) where he taught Theology, Philosophy, and English. He was also headmaster of the grade school and later of the high school. He was reassigned in Ateneo de Zamboanga (1964-66) as student counselor, moderator of Sodality, and instructor of Theology and Philosophy. His next mission was Ateneo de Naga where he was student counselor and dean of studies (1966-72); rector and president, moderator of alumni association, and confessor of students (1972-1978); acting treasurer (1972-75); and teacher of Theology and English (1976-78). He was back to Xavier University (1978-87) as rector while, at the same time, pre-novitiate director (1980-81), minister (1980-82, 1983-87), Theology professor (1980-84), moderator of alumni association (1981-82, 1983-87), faculty at SEARSOLIN and dean of Arts and Sciences (1985-1987). His longest assignment was in Ateneo de Davao University (1987-13) where he served as headmaster of the grade school (1987-1997), vice-president for basic education formation (1997-02), minister (1999-08), assistant to the president of Jesuit identity and mission (2002-03), campus minister in basic education units (2003-09), and chaplain of the grade school (2007-13).
In 2013, he moved to Jesus M. Lucas Infirmary, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, then to Jesuit Health and Wellness Center in 2016 where he died of multiple organ failure associated with pneumonia on early morning of 4 January 2017. A sum of 61 years, including regency, was generously and joyfully spent in the education apostolate.
Peter Ivan R. Guballa on January 9, 2017 AT 03 pm
The only rector-president (Ateneo de Naga HS ’77 guys) ever knew during our hs years, 1973-77. He tried basic English to communicate although he was an English mentor. Tried teaching critical thinking to teen Pete who confessed something the Jesuit considered relative for a more mature mind.
Tried to explain how costly repairs vis-à-vis continuation of AdeN’s existence in response to vandalism instead of Father Moreta’s hardcore approach to disruption that forced a whole class to stay during lunch. Tried to broadened minds by allowing non-Christian meditation gurus to address an assembly although they got booed.
Tried to console himself and assumed command responsibility, even offering his own blood, when he released students to attend a game that, unfortunately, included the accidental shooting death of Delfin Bonaga. Tried to persist and reflected on Father Phelan’s attempts to persevere many years since becoming a Jesuit. Tried nodding with profuse appreciation when coed Ross sang for your bday that made Embet Rodriguez remark she’s entitled to receive an “Oscar” award.
Tried to calm down a roaring drunk threatening all by bravely walking to him solo as the campus guard already unsnapped his revolver’s strap while we held tight our arnis sticks. Tried humility and exalted for your gentleness when the student body serenaded you in front of the Jesuit faculty house as Father Mara presented you with a plant.
You tried, were fried, and died, a priest still. For trying, and refusing to quit, Father Oscar A. Millar, SJ, we owe you.
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