‘Their problems became his problems,’ says bishop of Fr. Willmann
“Their dreams became his dreams, their aspirations became his aspirations, their problems became his problems. And their triumphs became his triumphs also.”
This was part of the homily of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin during the funeral of Fr. George Willmann at the Manila Catholic on September 21, 1997.
Iba Zambales Bishop Bartolome Santos opened with this quotation his homily at the mass offered on September 14, 2022 to commemorate the 45th death anniversary of the Servant of God, George Willmann, at the Fr. Willmann Chapel in Intramuros, Manila.
“It is easy for Fr. Willmann to dream our dream, to aspire our aspirations. But to take our problems as his own, this is exceptional – a heroic virtue,” said Bishop Santos.
The mass to mark the death of Fr. Willmann is annually celebrated on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross when the Church honors the cross that represents Christ’s victory over death.
The Mass was concelebrated by Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes, the Judicial Vicar of the Archdiocesan Tribunal on the Cause of Beatification and Canonization of Fr. Willmann; Msgr. Pedro Quitorio and Fr. Robert Young, the Postulator and Vice-Postulator, respectively; together with priests-scholars of Knight of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc.
Referring to Fr. Willmann whose life was dedicated in serving the poor, Bishop Santos said in his homily “With the intentions of our Knights of Columbus he (Willmann) is still solving problems.”
“Insurance is actually for problems, grants for problems, we wanted to solve the problem, we wanted to unburden people of their problems,” Bishop Santos added.
Towards the end of his homily the good bishop encouraged everyone to “pray that as we also remember Fr. George who died 45 years ago, he as a Servant of God will soon be like any other saint, will be given the veneration for what he has done for our country and Filipino Catholics, not only Catholics but everyone.”
Also present in the occasion were the KCFAPI Board of Trustees and employees led by the President Bro. Rene V. Sarmiento and Executive Vice President Bro. Anthony P. Nazario.
The Knights of Columbus Fraternal Association of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) is one of the legacies of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ., whose Cause for Sainthood was resumed by the Archdiocese of Manila on July 4, 2022. (Cresty Tomenio/ KC News) Photos courtesy of Roy Lagarde/CBCP News