The 69th Death Anniversary of Fr. John P. Delaney, SJ

Fr John is one person I will never forget. He was my inspiration, idol and spiritual counsellor during my college years at the University of the Philippines from 1952-1956. I have posted several articles in my blogs ( see references at bottom of page) on his influence of my spiritual growth during my college years. This posting is my personal tribute to Fr. John. The following two articles is from UPSCA ( University of the Philippines Student Catholic) FaceBook Page.

"Today, we commemorate the death anniversary of Rev. Fr. John P. Delaney, SJ, a beloved servant of God and a spiritual leader whose unwavering dedication to his faith and community continues to inspire us to this day.

As the first chaplain of the UP Chapel, Fr. Delaney left an indelible mark in our community. His vision and commitment to building a home of worship for the faithful gave rise to a sacred space that has brought countless people closer to God.

Though he left this world too soon, his legacy lives on in the Eucharistic celebrations, the vibrant faith of the community he nurtured, and the countless lives he touched through his kindness, humility, and love for Christ.

May we honor his memory by carrying forward the values he lived by: faith, compassion, and service to others.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Rev. Fr. John P. Delaney, SJ, pray for us.

#PHSMedia

UP Student Catholic Action

 

𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒| Father Delaney returns to the Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice

There is no eulogy for Father Delaney. Your presence here is his eulogy," said Fr. Vincent Kennally, vice provincial of the Society of Jesus, just before the body of the U.P. Catholic chaplain was sealed up in a vault in the Jesuit cemetery in Novaliches yesterday afternoon.

The presence of about 15,000 persons-composing one of the biggest crowds to attend the burial of an ecclesiastic in the Philip- pines was a more eloquent testimonial of the love of his congregation for the deceased Jesuit priest than any well-written eulogy could be.

Hundreds of buses and cars joined the three-kilometer-long motorcade which covered the 25 kilometers from the Catholic chapel in Diliman to the Sacred Heart Novitiate in almost two hours.

The principal requiem mass yesterday was said by Msgr. Rufino J. Santos, archbishop of Manila, at the U.P. Chapel of the Holy Sacrifice, where the body had lain in state since Friday evening.

"Father Delaney is not dead," Archbishop Santos said. "You are his living crown."

Other requiem masses were said after the principal rites. At 3:15 p.m., the liturgical office of the dead was performed by the Very Rev. Kennally.

After the final blessing, the coffin bearing the body of the deceased priest was transferred to a funeral car, and at 3:30 p.m. the funeral cortege left for Novaliches.

People along the road gaped as hundreds of buses and cars filled to capacity by students of the University of the Philippines, the Ateneo, and other sectarian and private schools passed by in a seemingly endless procession.

As the funeral car, which was at the rear of the long motorcade, left the Diliman campus, the U.P. carillon tolled out funeral dirges.

At 5 p.m. the funeral car arrived at the Sacred Heart Novitiate. Several sets of pallbearers, including Senator Francisco "Soc" Rodrigo, Education Secretary Gregorio Hernandez Jr., Vicente Araneta, Oscar Arellano, Dean Patrocinio Valenzuela, Dean Andres Abejo, and Dr. Agerico M. Sison, carried the bier from the gate to the tomb.

As the pallbearers and mourners slowly proceeded to the graveyard, choir members of the Sacred Heart Noviatiate sang the "Benedictus."

The Very Rev. Kennally officiated at the final obsequies in front of the tomb.

The sun was setting; the birds were coming to roost in the tall pine trees just a few meters away from the tomb. Only the clear, strong voice of the officiating priest pierced the almost unreal stillness.

At 5:25 the coffin was placed inside the vault between the common grave of 27 priests, six scholastics, and 24 lay brothers and the tomb of Fr. Franciscus Rello.

The women in the crowd, who up to that time were able to restrain their tears, gave way to uncontrolled weeping.

A former U.P. student who is now a Jesuit novice tried to console some of them. "Cheer up, smile," he said. "Father Delaney would not like to see you crying."

A group began singing the Catholic Action song, and the others joined in. Some boys gave three cheers for Father Delaney. They were trying to put up a brave front. But somehow they failed, for they could not hide their tears.

Reprint of the article by Isagani M. Yambot, "A Living Eulogy," THE MANILA TIMES, January 15, 1956.

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2019/04/my-undergraduate-college-years-in-up.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2024/08/memories-of-my-college-life-up-chapel.html

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2018/10/life-at-university-of-philippines.html

Lastly, Did you know that there are now officially 7, 641 islands in the Philippines from the previous count of 7, 107.