Category: Fund for the Elderly and Infirm

Father Mariano Y. Varela, S.J., the oldest living Ilonggo Jesuit at 91 years of age, is known principally for his pastoral work in northern Mindanao and Cebu.

Father Varela was born in 1923 in Iloilo City. He did his early studies in Iloilo and Sorsogon and then moved to Manila for collegiate studies at the Ateneo de Manila in 1941. The Second World War interrupted his studies and he continued for a few months after the war at UST before entering the Novitiate in September 1946. He did the usual early Jesuit studies at Novaliches , then theology at Woodstock College in Maryland, USA.

After ordination to the priesthood at Fordham University in New York on June 20, 1959 and Tertianship in Auriesville, NY, he returned to the Philippines in 1961 and taught English, Religion and History at the old San Jose Seminary on Highway 54. Fropm there he was given a series of new assignments: Ateneo de Manila University Grade School (Asst Headmaster),Sacred Heart Novitiate (minister) and the Jesuit Retreat House in Cebu as superior and retreat master.

After a year’s break and spiritual formation at Guelph, Ontario, Canada, he spent 24 of his most productive years at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro City (1975-99). There he had a variety of apostolates, but mostly pastoral. He was the director of Campus Ministries, University Chaplain, and built up the spiritual programs of the university, many of which continue to this day. For a while he was also Executive Vice-President of the University and minister and treasurer of the Jesuit Community.

Father Varela is well-known not only for his work at Xavier University and among its alumni but also for his rich spiritual ministry to various groups in the city. He was prominent in his work for married couples and families and among charismatic groups. He did much for the healing apostolate in the city. He developed a large following in the city and its environs. Up till now a good number who benefited from his ministries or worked with him visit him at the Lucas Infirmary and share fond memories of working with him.

Father Varela continued his pastoral work for five years at the Jesuit Retreat House in Cebu directing retreats, counselling and being superior of the retreat house. In 2004 he was sent to Sacred Heart Novitiate to rest and lighten his retreat ministry. A couple of years ago he was asked to go to the Lucas Infirmary to attend to his failing health. Visitors who see him are impressed by his warmth and pleasant conversations. He is much at peace, grateful that the Lord allowed him almost 50 years of active pastoral and administrative work in his vineyard.

Father Vicente P Marasigan, S.J. is the second oldest Jesuit in the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. (The oldest is Fr Pierre Tritz,SJ, who will be 100 years old this year.) Fr Marasigan was well-known even at birth. His mother, Ana H. del Pilar, was the daughter of Marcelo H. del Pilar, and Gregorio del Pilar was his uncle.

Father Marasigan did his primary and secondary studies at the Ateneo de Manila in Intramuros, 1926-35, and entered Sacred Heart Novitiate on May 30, 1935. He did his theology partly at Padre Faura and completed it at Woodstock College in Maryland, USA. After ordination in 1946 he did special studies in Math at Fordham University in New York and astrophysics at Georgetown University, Washington DC till 1952.

On his return to the Philippines in 1952 Fr Marasigan was assigned to the Manila Observatory. In the succeeding years he taught physics, math, cosmology, and scientific questions in physics to young Jesuit scholastics in Cebu and Quezon City for many years. He also did research on the ionosphere. In the early 1980s he took a couple of years off to do research on a completely different field–popular religiosity at Mt Banahaw, Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon province.

Although Fr Marasigan has been in the Lucas Infirmary for a number of years now, he has maintained an active lifestyle within Loyola House of Studies. He is often seen sunning himself in the garden outside the infirmary. He goes around the long corridors and to the recreation room to read. In his room he often opens his computer and plays computer games, reads novels, watches movies, emails his philosophical and spiritual thoughts, etc. He watches choice programs on TV. He drinks a measured quantity of red wine at meals and welcomes an occasional shot of brandy, especially if it is Cognac. A gifted pianist,he recently stopped playing the piano because it was too difficult on his fingers. He complains of occasional aches and pains and of weak hearing in one ear. He continues to be mentally alert and enjoys good memory. He was hoping that the Lord would call him to his eternal mansion a few years ago but the Good Lord clearly has other plans for him.

Fr Robert C. Hogan, SJ is remarkable for his manifestations of great love for the Philippines and its people, especially the poor and needy.

Born in New York City in 1933, Fr. Hogan left the United States when he was only 22, came to the Philippines, and went straight to Cebu to do philosophical studies at Berchmans College. He then taught Religion, English and Physics at the Ateneo de Manila University (1958-61). He returned to the US to do theological formation in Maryland, then did special studies in chemistry and physics in New Jersey, New York and St Louis University in Missouri.

When Fr Hogan returned to the Philippines in 1967, he was sent to the Ateneo de Naga where he stayed for fifteen years, handling a variety of assignments—teaching physics, philosophy, theology, being Chair of the Depts of Theology and Natural Sciences, campus minister, director of the pre-novitiate program, etc. He made many friends during these years through his pastoral care for students, faculty and others. To better serve the people, he studied Tagalog, then Visayan at the Interfaith Language School in Quezon City.

After a year’s break in the US, Fr Hogan was sent to the Ateneo de Davao in 1982, where he stayed for almost 25 years, engaged in diverse assignments— College campus ministry, the Theology Department as teacher and chair, director of the vocation promotion program, house librarian and other ad hoc appointments. For many years he stayed actively involved with the Christian Life Community (CLC). He also began the Daily Bread Program, where poorer students were given free meals to help them continue their studies. Father Hogan noticed that quite a number of students were eager to study but did not have enough money for their meals. The program continues to this day as the Daily Bread Community Foundation and is a big help to many of the poor and hungry college students.

All through his years in Naga and Davao, Father Hogan showed much care and concern for the poor, helping them in whatever way he could, according to their need and the resources he could generate. Many continue to communicate with him and visit him to express their gratitude and show him what his help has done for them.
In 2008 Fr Hogan began to experience weakness in his legs and at times difficulty keeping his balance when walking. Sometime he found himself walking too fast and falling. He had the onset of Parkinson’s disease. He was sent to Sacred Heart Novitiate in Quezon City to give retreats and help the CLC. As his situation worsened, he was moved to the Province Infirmary at the Ateneo de Manila campus where he receives the care he needs. He radiates much peace and optimism in the company of the other ill Jesuits and the nurses and caregivers. He keeps active, attending cultural, spiritual and academic functions and events, especially on campus. He has never been heard to complain and is well-loved by all who meet him.

Father Hogan had a special treat three years ago when his sister, Eileen, his brothers, Neil and Fr Pat, and his nephew, also named Bob, came from the US and spent some weeks with him in Manila, Naga and Davao. They met a good number of the people whose lives Fr Hogan had touched. It was a joyous occasion for all and a touching reunion of his family with him.

We found a reference to Fr. Bill McGarry, SJ written last February 19, 2009 for his then 81st birthday. We thought it approriate to re-post (with advance permission from pandoraspace). Fr. Bill celebrated his 86th birthday last February, 15. He was born in 1928. Pandora’s Valentine Special

Fr. Carrol, obtained his Ph.D. in sociology from Cornell University.

He has been President of the Philippine Sociological Society, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Gregorian University, Visiting Professor at Cornell University, Acting Director of the Institute of Philippine Culture, Research Director for the National Secretariat for Social Action, Founding Director of the Institute on Church and Social Issues, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Institute of Social Order, and member of the Board of Trustees of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Fr. Carrol is 88 years old.

After our ordination at Fordham University Church, we spent some weeks at the theologians’ villa at Blue Ridge Summit. Then we went to Woodstock in order to finish our fourth year theology.

The first thing I did when we arrived at Woodstock was to visit Father Fisher, my spiritual father. He asked me, “How are you?”, “I am now ready to die,” I answered “What makes you so ready to die/” he asked. ” All my life I have wanted to say Mass,” I said. “Now that I have said Mass, I am ready to die”.

He smiled and said: “You will not die yet; you will work for forty more years.” He said this fifty nine years ago. Father Fisher was not a prophet. But he was a holy man and a wise counselor.

I spent most of these fifty-nine years teaching philosophy. Once. an interviewer asked me: “Could you tell me why you chose to devote your life to philosophy?” “I did not chose philosophy”, I said. I was given an assignment to teach philosophy. So I only fulfilled my assignment.” “Do you mean to say,” the interviewer asked, “that you would not have taught philosophy if you had not perceived an assignment to do so?”. “Yes.” I answered. “How horrible! ” she said.

Sometimes, we tend to look at work done under obedience as somehow unreal and insincere. But Michelangelo painted the Sistine chapel in obedience to the Pope’s request and his paintings were certainly real and sincere. Jesuits who live under obedience are not geniuses like Michelangelo. But we strive to be real and sincere.

Dear Father Provincial, you have just begun to fulfill an assignment which you did not choose. It was chosen for you by Jesus. When we accept an assignment out of obedience to Jesus it becomes our charism for his Mystical Body. Jesus is the head of his Mystical Body.

The Holy Spirit is the soul of the Mystical Body. Some medieval theologians used to say somewhat quaintly that Mary is the neck of the Mystical body. Because when graces from the head are scattered throughout the body they have to pass through MARY. So, if there are days of storm and rain we can always, like Saint Bernard, “Look to the Star, call on Mary: Respice stellam, voca Mariam.” And we are always reassured by St. Stanislaus Kotska, that the mother of God is my mother, “Mater Dei est mater mea.”

Ferriols, R. S.J. (2013, December) Anniversary Message on the 59th Year of My Priesthood, Windhover, 4, 27.