The 91 – 60 – 60 Missionary
Banpong, Thailand, 16 August 2017 -- The long life of 91 years old, more than 60 years of priesthood and more than 60 years of missionary life in this ‘land of the free – Thailand’ would summarize easily the dedication of Father Albert Gustav Roosens. However, the swiftness of the last moments of his life was exactly the opposite. It was on 10 August 2017, while taking his usual ‘shower’ that he experienced ‘blood flow in his brain’ which eventually caused his collapse. And on the early morning of 11th August 2017, the memorial of St. Clare, he breathed his last. His body was laid for the funeral wake at Don Bosco Technological College, Bangkok, where he used to work as the Rector for many years. Immediately upon receiving the sad news, the past pupils of this institute flocked in great numbers to pay their last respects to the Salesian who had taught them and who had supported them to stand on their ‘strong feet’ at present.
Wreathes from the Salesian houses, the members of the Salesian family, the alumni, the various religious families, the association of the blind, and from the hospital who took care of him in his sickness, surrounded his coffin. One wreathe, with flowers in deep violet color, stood above the others - the royal wreathe from Her Royal Highness – Princess Sirindhorn. She also honored the person in his death just as she honored him when he was alive by gracing the opening of a school in Pattani Province, in the deep south of Thailand.
The final funeral service on the 16th of August 2017, the birthday anniversary of Don Bosco, at St. Joseph Church, Banpong, Ratchaburi Province, was officiated by Bishop Joseph Prathan Sridarunsil, SDB of Surat Thani Diocese and Bishop Silvio Charatsri of Chantaburi Diocese. Some 60 priests, both diocesan and religious, concelebrated. The Church was filled with religious Brothers and Sisters, the alumni from Don Bosco Technological College and from the Skills Development Center for the Blind, the youth from our formation houses and schools, and the faithful from all walks-of- life.
The ceremony started at 14.00 hrs. In his homily, the celebrant Bishop underlined the various, exemplary traits of Fr. Roosens: his determination in every pastoral activity, his generosity, his poverty, his punctuality, his dedication at the confessional, his simple but constant piety, his undying love for the poor youth. The Bishop highlighted these ones because of his personal experience of living with him while Fr. Roosens was the diocesan economer and parish priest of the cathedral.
After the reception of Holy Communion, the provincial governor arrived to personally receive the ‘royal soil’ from the Royal Palace, and place this on the coffin of Fr. Roosens. The silent attention that filled the Church, exhibited by the participants, showed the solemnity of the moment – indeed, a very fitting and laudable tribute from the Royalty. At this moment too, nature joined in the tribute by opening its sky to release a strong rain. Yes, perhaps, Fr. Roosens wanted to stay a little longer and feel the warmth of the love and respect that all the Salesian confreres, the members of the Salesian Family, the alumni, the faithful brought with them. Just as he had given his fraternal and fatherly warmth to them when he was still among them, so all, too, wanted him to feel this on this last moment on earth.
The long missionary life of 90 – 60 – 60 of Father Albert Gustav Roosens could not be easily reciprocated.
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