Priest killed by falling cross at Mass praised for his ministry

Fr Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari CSsR died on October 17 while celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Guayaquil, Ecuador, during the week of the 21st anniversary of his priestly ordination.

The news, which spread rapidly through media and social networks, profoundly affected fellow Redemptorists, parishioners and friends, who expressed their condolences and support to his family, the Andean-Caribbean Province and the parish community.

A statement from the Redemptorists noted: “Behind the news is a brother, a priest and a missionary: a life consecrated to the Most Holy Redeemer and to the service of communities. His passing places us before the mystery and invites us to renew our hope in Jesus Christ, who died and rose again. A life dedicated to the Gospel is not confined to its final moment: it remains in the fruits of the mission, in the people accompanied, and in the love sown along the way.

“Those who knew him remember him as a simple, calm and fraternal priest, close to young people, a collaborator with educational institutions and attentive to the wellbeing of the sick.”

The accident occurred just moments after the priest spoke about death and the importance of giving one’s life to God, according to media reports.

“One day, all of us here will also die, and sometimes the time we’ve spent on things doesn’t have as much meaning as the time we spend with God,” Fr Molinari said, per a translation by The Telegraph.

“The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children and family – that time is the best spent.”

The Redemptorist statement added that, “in the midst of pain, we give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Fr Patricio, who manifested throughout his life, and until the very moment of his death – at the altar, celebrating the Eucharist – his intimate union with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament”.

FULL STORY

A Life dedicated to the Redeemer (Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer UK)

Catholics in Ecuador Mourn Death of Priest Struck by Falling Crucifix During Mass (National Catholic Register)