By FIS Commission of Social Communication

Borongan Eastern Samar, The Philippines, 6 January 2020 -- On Monday 6 January, the Salesian Family, in the presence of Bishop Peter Baquero, SDB, DD of Kerema and Bishop Crispin Varquez, DD of Borongan, and the Pacada Family, laid Fr. Ramon “Monix” Pacada, SDB to rest. Bishop Peter presided over the funeral mass at 9:30 in the morning. He described the funeral as “a celebration of life: life that Fr. Monix received at birth, life that Fr. Monix shared in his ministry, and lives that Fr. Monix touched.” Concelebrating with him were Bishop Crispin, Salesian priests from the different Salesian communities of FIS, and Fr. Monix’s three classmates from the Philippine North Province (FIN).

In his homily, Fr. Arturo Julius Sanchez, SDB, one of Fr. Monix’s former rectors, shared that Fr. Monix was a simple Salesian who did not build any buildings, write any books, or achieved doctorates, but he was a passionate and faithful Salesian. He said, “In front of God, greatness does not count, only our faithfulness,” and described Fr. Monix’s faithfulness in his prayer life, in his passion for the ministry, and in his practice of poverty.

At the end of the celebration, eulogies were given. The Provincial Superior, Fr. Godofredo Atienza, SDB, thanked everyone who prayed and helped at the death of Fr. Monix. He said that Fr. Monix gave us memories, his messages, and meaning to live for.

Fr. Monix died suddenly in the morning of 29 December 2019. He was part of the fun run organized by the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM) Sisters in the diocese of Borongan. He was about to finish a 5-kilometer run when he dropped to his knees just five meters from an ambulance on-standby and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead-on-arrival. He died of heart failure.

Fr. Monix is part of the Salesian community of Borongan, Eastern Samar. Together with his rector, Fr. John Cardinal, SDB and Bro. Edward Villordon, SDB, they are working for young people through the youth and training center in the eastern part of the Philippines.

It is a glorious day for the Salesian congregation when a Salesian dies wearing his working boots, St. John Bosco once said. Fr. Monix, was faithful Salesian who gave his life for the young people in the Philippine South. His passion and his faithfulness is the glory gained for the congregation and a powerful witness for his confreres and the young.

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