FAREWELL TO A SAINT!

Hmmm ... WHAT AN ORDINARY WAY TO DIE!  This may perhaps be how Fr. Angel Antonio, SJ wished it.  Last February 24, a typical Wednesday morning ... Father Angel was simply proceeding with his weekday routine, that is waking up early, putting on his soutane and passing by the dim halls of the SJVTS faculty building and walking slowly down ... down the usual flight of stairs enroute to the seminary chapel.  The past three years since Father Angel was assigned to the seminary,  seminarians talked about how they often catch him as one of the first to begin his prayers in the chapel each morning.  He has become a symbol of PRAYER for almost everyone in the community.

Only a month ago, Father Angel just celebrated his 84th birthday.  Other than his coughing and occasional arthritis concerns, his health was perfect ... or at least, we never heard any major complaints from him (not about his health nor about anything). 

Then came the accident.  He must have tripped or missed a step.  He fell and hit his head first on the pavement.  The accident happened much like a  motorcyclist falling off  his bike sans a helmet.   An x-ray of his head needed  no further description from the medical doctors.  His right eye was severely damaged, blood was creeping into his brain.  Hmmm ... a missionary, made tough by more than 45 years in Zamboanga, can easily get over this.  We were trying to convince ourselves. 

Father Angel finally expired and surrendered his soul to his Creator the third day after the accident.  We will surely miss your gentle and quiet presence, Father Angel.  Keep us always in your prayers, please ... we beg you!  Til we meet again!