Fr. George J. Willmann, SJVol. 5 No. 1

DEC 2015Gazette

CARDINAL TAGLE OPENS ARCHDIOCESAN PROCESS OF THE CAUSES OF FR. WILLMANN

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FR. GEORGE J. WILLMANN CHARITIES, INC.

By: Roberto T. Cruz

On December 7, 2015, Mon-day, His Eminence Luis An-

tonio Cardinal Tagle presided over the milestone celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Ma-nila Cathedral to formally open the Archdiocesan process for the Causes of Beatification and Canonization of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ.

The Liturgical Rites for the for-mal opening preceded the Mass at 9:00am. With the entrance procession of Cardinal Tagle as the Main Celebrant together with two bishops, two mon-

signors and thirty-three priests who concelebrated the Mass, the Rites started with Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III, the appointed Pos-tulator for the Cause of Fr. Will-mann, giving biographical high-lights of the life of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. An Invocation of the Holy Spirit followed with the singing of Veni Creator Spiritus by the Manila Cathedral Basilica Choir.

Cardinal Tagle then examined and declared the legitimacy of the appointments of Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III as the Postulator

photo by Jerome De Guzman

photo by Jerome De Guzman

Fr. George J. Willmann, SJand Fr. Wilmer R. Rosario, JCD as Vice-Postulator in conformity with the Code of Canon Law.

Appointed members of the Archdiocesan Tribunal for the Cause of Fr. Willmann were: Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes, JCD as Episcopal Delegate; Fr. Wilmer R. Rosario, JCD as Vice-Postulator; Fr. Carlo P. Del Ro-sario, JCL as Promoter of Justice; Ms. Tere-sita F. Kudemus – First Notary; Ms. Marivic M. Ambasa – Second Notary; Ms. Julieta R. Santos as Third Notary.

The Cardinal reminded them of the great responsibility, importance and seriousness of the Process for the Causes for Beatifi-cation and Canonization. As required by Church law, all the members of the Tribu-nal, starting with Msgr. Geronimo F. Reyes, individually took their oath to faithfully fulfill his/her commitment and then signed the Acts.

The Experts who were tapped to form the Historical Commission include: Fr. Julius Paul Factora, OP, JCD as President; Fr. Ado-lfo N. Dacanay, SJ, JCD – member and Fr. Sander D. Niez, JCL – member, while for the Theological Commission, the experts appointed were Fr. Alexander L. Garces, SDB, JCL – President; Fr. Enrico Eusebio, Jr., SJ, JCD – member and Sr. Maria Am-paro Santos, OP, JCL – member. As with the Tribunal members, the Presidents and members of both Commissions, individu-ally took their respective oaths and signed the Acts.

The appointed Copyist, Ms. Ronalyn Reg-ino and Assistant Copyist, Ms. Gecerein Sayen Ocampo were called next to take their respective oaths and similarly signed in the Acts.

Then, Postulator Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III and Vice Postulator Fr. Wilmer R. Ro-sario, JCD individually took their respec-tive oaths not to compromise the truth and offend justice nor impede the freedom of witnesses to testify in the Cause. Thereafter, they also signed the Acts.

The Postulator then presented to Cardinal Tagle for his examination a list of witnesses to be interrogated, subject to the possible addition and revision of names in the fu-ture. Upon examining the list, the Cardinal decreed that the next session for interro-gation of witnesses be held on January 11, 2016 at the Arzobispado de Manila.

Finally, after ordering the Chancellor to es-tablish public record of this First Session, Cardinal Tagle declared the Process for the Causes of Beatification and Canoniza-tion of Servant of God, FATHER GEORGE J. WILLMANN, SJ, Father of the Order of

the Knights of Columbus in the Philippines, OPEN.

To complete the Rites, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle together with for-mer Chief Justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. as Chairman of the National Executive Com-mittee (NEC) for the Cause of Fr. Will-mann, jointly unveiled the portrait of Father George J. Willmann, SJ.

Thereafter, Cardinal Tagle began the cel-ebration of the Holy Eucharist. Concel-ebrants were: Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco, D.D., Bishop Mylo Hubert C. Vergara, D.D., Msgr, Geronimo F. Reyes, JCD, Fr. William Arana, OSA, Fr. Carlo Magno Marcelo, Fr. Marvin Mejia, Fr. Wilmer Rosario, JCD, Fr. Carlo Del Rosario, Fr. Julius Paul Fac-tora, OP, JCD, Fr. Sander Niez, JCL, Fr. Alex Garces, SDB, JCL, Fr. Rico Garcia, Fr. Regi-nald Malicdem, Fr. Darwin Faith Ponce, OSA, Fr. Ricky VIllar, OSA, Fr. Geoffrey Eb-orda, OSA, Fr. Genaro Supremedo, OSA, Fr. Jojo Torres, OSA, Fr. Joseph Villareal, OSA, Fr. Roy Gallano, OSA, Fr. Michael Salazar and Fr. Romel Cruz.

Also serving as Concelebrants were a num-ber of KC Priests Scholars of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. Willmann Charities, Inc. that included: Msgr. Pedro C. Quito-rio III, Fr. Benjamin Deogracias Fajota, Fr. Jeronimo Ma. Cruz, Fr. Antonio Rex Pa-laya, Fr. Melvin Gamelo, Fr. Julius Cuison, Fr. Felix Labios, Fr. Ramelle Rigunay, Fr. Randy Salunga, Fr. Joel Cariaso, Fr. Hernan-dez Mendoza, Fr. Julius de Sagun, Fr. Ronel Ilano, Fr. Lowie Palines and Fr. Emmanuel Hipolito.

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle focused on the question: What does it mean to be holy? He said that Fr. George J. Willmann, St. Am-brose and Mother Mary all responded to sanctity and holiness. He clarified that “Ho-liness is an attribute of God and not man’s achievement nor his work. It is God who is Holy and our holiness is a gift of God – our oneness with Him”.

Cardinal Tagle added that the Holiness of God transforms a desert symbolizing hu-manity that is seen to be dry, fruitless, emp-ty and even lifeless into a bountiful garden

photo by Jerome De Guzman

photo by Jerome De Guzman

Gazette

with a safe road along the holy way. “When-ever we experience hopelessness loaded with faults, God will infuse His Holiness and cure the sickness”. During this season of ad-vent, the Cardinal added that we must look deeper into our deserts in order to experi-ence the Holiness of God.

The Cardinal underscored that we need to actively respond to God’s Holiness like the friends of the paralyzed man who passed through the roof to bring the paralytic closer to Jesus. He stressed that when we are down, we must be alert, discerning with eyes of faith to respond to God.

Cardinal Tagle called for prayers for those entrusted with the Cause of Fr. Willmann that they may be illumined with eyes of faith. With no intention of pre-empting the Dioce-

san process, Cardinal Tagle thanked God for sharing His holiness through personal expe-riences with Fr. Willmann, his life and minis-try devoted to inspirational service particu-larly to the youth, the poor and the prisoners.

The Cardinal cited his own basic forma-tion as a Charter member of the Columbian Squires in Imus, Cavite where they helped the Church in its program for the street chil-dren. He also mentioned his appreciation for being a scholar of the Knights of Colum-bus during Fr. Willmann’s time. Cardinal Tagle ended his homily by encouraging all in attendance to be agents of God’s holiness.

The Mass was well attended by representa-tives of various organizations established by Fr. Willmann including the Daughters of Isabella (now Daughters of Mary Im-

maculate), Catholic Youth Organization, Columbian Squires and the Knights of Columbus as well as parishioners and residents from nearby communities such as Tondo, Intramuros, Sta. Cruz, Malate, etc. who all witnessed the very meaningful Opening of the Archdiocesan process for the Cause of their “Father and Benefactor” of forty years.

We have been blessed with the formal opening of the Archdiocesan process of the Cause of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. - Servant of God. Let us fervently pray for continued enlightenment from the Holy Spirit for everyone involved in the Arch-diocesan process and the Cause as a whole so that our beloved Fr. George J. Willmann may ultimately be elevated to the honors of the altar.

photo by Roi Lagarde

photo by Jerome De Guzman photo by Jerome De Guzman

Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ

SERVANT OF GOD - FR. GEORGE J. WILLMANN, SJ.

favorsreceived

fr. george j. Willmann, SJ

GazetteEditor: Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio IIIAssociate Editor: Roberto T. CruzManaging Editor: Yen OcampoCirculation: Denise Solina - OrtiguerraLayout: April Frances Ortigas

Fr. George J. Willmann SJ Gazette is a project of the Knights of Columbus Fr. George J. WillmannCharities Inc.

Editorial Office is at Father George Willmann Center, Gen. Luna Cor. Sta. Potenciana Sts. Intramuros, Manila.

Tel No. 527-2223; Fax. 527-2244Website: www.frgeorgewillmann.org

Email: contact@frgeorgewillmann.org

If you have a first hand account of Fr. Willmann’s intercession in your life, kindly email it to favors@frgeorgewillmann.org or call tel. no. 527-2223.

A physical miracle attributed solely to Fr. Willmann’s intercession is necessary for the cause of his beatification.

Additional information is welcomed from anyone who knew him personally.

George J. Willmann was born in June 29, 1887 in Brooklyn, New York to William F. Willmann and Julia Corcoran Will-

mann. He entered the Jesuit Seminary at age 17 and was ordained a priest on June 20, 1928.

After his first trip to the country in 1922, he returned to the Phil-ippines in November 1936 to once again teach at the Ateneo de Manila. In 1937, he served as Session Director of the First Na-tional Eucharistic Congress in Manila attended by over a million people. In December 1941, he established servicemen clubs in Manila.

On June 30, 1938, he joined the Knights of Columbus Manila Council 1000 and served as Chaplain. By 1951, he was appointed the Order’s acting Territorial Deputy and by 1962, he was ap-pointed as the Philippines Deputy.

Closely interacting with the youth and the poor early since his ar-rival, he organized the Catholic Youth Organization in 1938 and the Columbian Squires in 1950. He also organized the Daughters of Isabella in 1951, the Knights of Columbus Fraternal Associa-tion of the Philippines, Inc. (KCFAPI) in 1958, the KC Philip-pines Foundation, Inc. in 1971 and the Fund for Poor Seminar-ians in 1977.

Fr. Willmann devoted the last forty years of his life, not only in humble service and dynamic leadership of the Knights of Co-lumbus in the Philippines, but equally being a compassionate pastor in the care and formation of the youth. He provided relief to victims of the war and of violence while also alleviating the sufferings of the poor. He likewise established ways to preserve and promote the sanctity of life, marriage and the family.

It was in 1997 or eighteen years ago that the Knights of Colum-bus in the Philippines first started a concerted thrust to formally lay the groundwork for the Cause of Fr. Willmann. During the Order’s centennial celebration of Fr. Willmann’s birth, the Order created a Committee on Cause composed of Ramon V. Consing, Lauro M. Cruz and Msgr. Pedro C. Quitorio III as co-chairmen. Notable activities of the Committee included: gathering of testi-monials, launch of the Prayer for the Centennial of Fr. Willmann

with the Imprimatur of Msgr. Jose C. Abriol, launching of Fr. Willmann Fellows, meeting with then Jaime Cardinal Sin and the Father Provincial of the Jesuits to seek their respective endorse-ments of the Cause. The Order published and distributed the pamphlet “A Glimpse...The Life and Works of Fr. George J. Will-mann, SJ.” in order to give due acknowledgment and recognition as well as to increase awareness about Fr. Willmann. A landmark achievement of this period was the publication of “The Gentle Warrior”, a biography of Fr. Willmann authored by Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ.

Promoting the fama sanctitatis of Fr. Willmann included making his works more concrete with direct testimonies of individuals he had personally interacted with. The one-time membership dona-tions of Fr. Willmann Fellows are pooled to fund the production of materials such as prayer cards, publications, tarpaulins, post-ers to effectively promote Fr. George Willmann to the youth, the poor and underprivileged of various communities as well as to brother Knights.

In 2011, through the efforts of the KC Fraternal Association of the Philippines and the Knights of Columbus Fr. Willmann Charities, Inc., the National Executive Committee (NEC) for the Cause of Fr. Willmann was created with the primary function of overseeing all the initiatives relative to or in connection with the Cause.

On December 7, 2015, His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle formally opened the Archdiocesan process for the Causes of Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. The appointed members of the Tri-bunal will now take on their respective duties in the Archdioc-esan Inquiry on the Causes for Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God, Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ. Though the pro-cess for the Causes could still be long and tedious, the completed formal opening now ensures that the Servant of God - Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ will seriously be considered as a worthy candidate for possible elevation to the honors of the altar.

May the Holy Spirit guide and enlighten all of us to support the successful completion of the Causes for Beatification and Can-onization of the Servant of God - Fr. George J. Willmann, SJ.