January 25, 2017
This is to inform you that FR. RODOLFO V. FERNANDEZ, S.J. died this morning, January 25, 2017, in The Medical City, Pasig City. He had suffered a major stroke on Saturday evening. Fr. Rody, 87, entered the Society on 13 July 1946 and was ordained a priest on 18 March 1962. Requiescat in Pace.
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, 28 January at 8 a.m. in the Oratory of St. Ignatius. Interment follows at Sacred Heart Novitiate cemetery, Novaliches, right after the funeral Mass.
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BIOGRAPHY OF FR. RUDY FERNANDEZ, SJ
By Sch. Amado T. Tumbali, S.J. (Asst. Province Archivist)
Fr. Rodolfo Venturillo Fernandez, S.J. was born on 15 September 1929 in Culion, Palawan. He finished grade school in Balala Elementary, Palawan and attended high school in Arellano, San Beda, and Sacred Heart Juniorate.
After Second World War, he joined the Jesuits at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Novaliches on 13 July 1946 with Fr. Jose Arcilla and Fr. Oscar Lingad. On that year, Frs. Rodolfo Valdes, Rene Puentevella, Simplicio Sunpayco, Gilberto Magtoto, and Mariano Varela also entered in different dates. After juniorate, he went to Berchmans College, Lahug, Cebu City (1948-50) and finished M.A. Philosophy. After a year of regency in Ateneo de Manila High School (1954-55), he was assigned to Japan becoming the first Filipino Jesuit missionary. After language studies, he studied Bachelor in Sacred Theology in Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan (1959-1962). He was ordained priest by Cardinal Doi at St. Ignatius Church, Tokyo on 18 March 1962. He did tertianship (1963-64) and professed final vows in Hiroshima on 15 August 1964.
Fr. Pedro Arrupe was then the provincial when Fr. Rudy was assigned to the Jesuit School in Hiroshima where he taught English, Ethics, and Religion, as well as, coach to the basketball team (1965-1999). After 34 years, his provincial, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas, arranged for his return to the Philippines where he was assigned to East Asian Pastoral Institute, Ateneo de Manila University Campus, as counselor (1999-05) and in-charge of community life (2001-05). His next assignment was Ateneo de Manila University High School Campus Ministry (2005-2010). He also ministered to the Jesuit Volunteer Philippines and to his social media fan base who daily received short reflections. At 82 years old, he accepted another new assignment, i.e. pastoral, campus ministry, and chaplaincy work in Xavier University High School, Cagayan de Oro City (2010-14).
In 2014, he returned to Quezon City and continued to do pastoral work while residing in Loyola House of Studies. In 2016, he transferred to Jesuit Health and Wellness Center. On 21 January 2017, Fr. Rudy had a convulsive seizure while watching television. Unconscious, he was brought to Medical City. Tests revealed he suffered a major stroke. He died of cardiac arrest on the morning of 25 January 2017. In his 70 years as a Jesuit, 44 were spent as missionary in Japan.