austraLasia #2281

(apologies for long delay in sending austraLasia - since 19 October in fact. I have been in places where the facility to send mass emails was not possible, and the combined schedule of other commitments plus travel needs made it impossible at other moments)

Farewell to missionary, pioneer, preacher, parish priest, friend and father: Edgardo Espiritu sdb

FIS: 4th November 2008 -- Fr Edgardo Espiritu SDB, missionary, pioneer, preacher, parish priest, friend and father, died on October 24, 2008, following a courageous battle with cancer. He was 67 years old.
    Fr Ed was born on 24th August 1941. He made his profession as a Salesian on September 17, 1960, and was ordained on March 21, 1970.
    He is best remembered as the Principal of Don Bosco Victorias, Rector of Don Bosco Boys Town in Cebu, pioneer of the Missionary Seminary.  A moving force in Project Africa in the 70s, he spent 15 years in Makalle and Adrigat, Ethiopia.
    Returning from the missions in 1990, Fr Ed became the pastor of a church-less flock in the hinterlands of Mambucal, Negros. He prioritised the building of faith communities as the Body of Christ before venturing to build the physical structures of his parish church many years later.
    Towards the end of his life, Fr Ed still demonstrated what it meant to be at the forefront of delivering a message with a lasting impression. While in his hospital bed, he had his last words video-taped by his nephew priest, Fr Reechee. He thanked his confreres and all those who assisted him, especially in the last moments of his life. He gave instructions on what should be done with the little money that benefactors had given to defray his hospital expenses. He said he "wanted to die poor". Most touching were his words of apology for whatever pain he had caused. He closed with an affectionate 'arrivederci': "God bless you all in the name of Don Bosco, Mary Help of Christians and all the Ethiopian Saints. Thank you. See you somewhere in the bosom of God". In the final frames he was smiling and waving.
    Over 50 priests - Salesians and diocesan - came to concelebrate at his funeral. Present were alumni, parishioners and a good representation from the Salesian Family.
    Fr Ed was buried in Don Bosco Missionary Seminary on October 30, 2008, the place he had so arduously helped to establish.
  _________________
 AustraLasia is an email service for the Salesian Family of Asia Pacific.  It also functions as an agency for ANS based in Rome.  For queries please contact admin@bosconet.aust.com . Use Bosconet-wiki to be interactive. RSS feeds - just go to Bosconet, click on austraLasia 2008 in the sidebar. You will see the RSS orange icon in your browser address bar - add it from there.  Avail yourself of the Salesian Digital Library at http://sdl.sdb.org

Title: australasia 2281
Subject and key words: EAO Provinces FIS Fr Ed Espiritu
Date (year): 2008
ID: 2000-2099|2281