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Reflection #357
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Died to save the disabled Posted: 9th November 2006
In saving the students of a school for the disabled in Cambodia, the Jesuit scholastic Richard Fernando was killed by a grenade exactly ten years ago. On October 17,1996, Filikpino Scholastic Richard Michael R. Fernando, known to all as “Richie, laid down his life for his friends at the Jesuit Refugee Service’s school for the disabled called Bantay Prieb (Center of the Dove) – near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A disturbed student was about to throw a hand grenade into a classroom. Richie grabbed him from behind. The grenade fell to the ground and exploded. Richie was killed instantly, while everyone else survived. Richie had chosen a clear path on life’s journey, a path of faith and friendship. When he was still in high school, his first plunge into the wilderness was in Mindoro. There he dedicated himself to mission work with the Mangyans. He later confided that this experience created new challenges and directions for his life. After much reflection and deliberation, Richie chose to be a Jesuit. Many thought he would not last in such an ambience and that, eventually, he would return to the comforts of life. TIMES OF SICKNESS AND SDNESS He proved that they were wrong. For his regency, he indicate his preferences: mission work in Bukidnon or Cambodia. When he was assigned to Cambodia, he admitted he was delighted but, at the same time, he had some apprehensions because he was a student learning the Khmer language, a teacher in English, and an all-around staff assistant; he took charge of the generator, sometimes he did the marketing, driving, bringing/carrying disabled Cambodians to the hospital. He wrote that one day he had to bring the some fellow twice to the hospital for amputation and, since the hospital was understaffed, he was even asked to assist in sewing up the wounds. Life at Batay Prieb in Cambodia was hard. There were times when he felt extremely lonely. He had frequent bouts of diarrhea and was even sick with malaria. There were moments when he was deeply saddened by the mounting miseries of his Cambodian students. “I KNOW WHERE MY HEART IS” On October 12, 1996, in the midst of the bustle of his mission work, Richie e-mailed his close friend, Totet: “Pero, alam mo (But, you know), to be honest, I don’t feel like stopping. I honestly feel inspired to face the problems, the people, and the trust though difficult and painful. In other works, Tet, I know where my heart is … it is with Jesus Christ … Jesus who gave His all for he poor, the sick, the orphans, etc. I feel as if I’m beginning to understand more when I say, I want to be like Christ. I will follow Jesus. I am Jesus‘s friend and companion. I am a Jesuit. I know where m heart is …” “I am confident and inspired – even though I feel tired physically, mentally, and emotionally at times – I am confident that God never forgets His people: our disabled brothers and sisters. And I am glad that God has been using me to make sure that our brothers and sisters know this fact. I am convinced that this is my vocation/mission. I honestly believe that to die for our friends here will be the greatest gift that God can give us. And I continually pray for that grace every day.” Article Source: World Misssion October 2006 No. 194 VOL.XVIII 60 PESOS ISSN 0116-8142 |
Courtesy of Francis Alvarez, SJ