Ignas Bapu: Remembered on his 2nd Death Anniversary

Ignas Bapu: Remembered on his 2^nd Death Anniversary

It was on 8^th December 2012 our beloved Ignas Bapu passed away from this earthly life to eternal life by saying gently bye to all of us at Unteshwari. Immaculate Ignas entered into the eternal abode on the Feast of Immaculate Conception of our blessed and benevolent Mother Mary. On the same evening very meaningfully we bid farewell to him at the side of Unteshwari Mata Mandir. From the assembled congregation many shed tears for him, for he was a holy person and a noble Jesuit missionary and an inspirational icon for many of our Growing Gujarat Church.

Having heard about the death of their beloved and respectful Fr. Ignacio Ordoñez, his brothers, cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives sent email messages expressing their heartfelt grief and gratitude to all of us. We too kept them informing about the happenings of the death, funeral and the post-funeral events. At different intervals his loving brother Fr. Santiago, compassionate cousin sister Mari Jose and nice niece Beatriz expressed their and their family members’ sorrows and sentiments. His family’s always available Alvaro, the youngest bachelor brother, cried many times while talking with me over the telephone. Every time they all emotionally expressed in different words, “on our behalf, please offer flowers and candles on our beloved Ignas’ tomb”. Faithfully we (the Fathers, Sisters and the Parishioners) continue to light candles and agarpatis, place flowers on his tomb as and when we feel moved. Almost there is a growing custom created by his close associates and the children of our Unteshwari residents to bow to the tomb first and then to enter into the Shrine of our Lady of the Camels. Yes. He was set apart to permeate God’s unconditional love to all persons without any calculations. Praise be to God for the GIFT of our dear Ignas Bapu in our midst!

Soon after the 1^st death anniversary, the family of Ignas at Torres del Rio, the native land of his in Navarra – Spain, was well pleased to receive the compiled and edited book on him by me – “Inspirational Icon – Fr. Ignacio Jose Ordoñez, SJ 1928 – 2012”.  Having gone through the book they were overwhelmed with joy to see how Ignas was made alive once again through this book by various admired and inspired persons from the globe. According to them this was the right and apt tribute for they believe that by this kind gesture their Ignas will ever remain to inspire many more to follow the path of Jesus and Mary. So, they expressed: “We are content with all that was done to our dear Padre Ignacio!”

Again we are at the 2^nd death anniversary. On this 8^th December, 2014 once again we fondly remember our pleasant and precious Ignas Bapu. We are very well aware, these are the days thousands and thousands of Christians and non-Christians throng to Bom Jesu, Goa to venerate the Saintly body of our ever moved and moving Missionary San Francisco Javier, one of Our Founders of the Society of Jesus. When such venerations are taking place in Goa of the Navarra origin Saint, here at Gujarat we fondly remember another simple and humble Navarra origin missionary, a saint-like person! Let the flame of Ignas Bapu continue to burn in the hearts of all pilgrims who arrive here at Unteshwari and may their lives be filled with the spirit with the ‘darshan’ of his holy grave!

Ever since Ignas left us, since then his native people are in touch with a few of our Gujarat missionaries. I am one among them who was privileged to visit their homes on my last visit to Europe in August 2014. With the permission of my Provincial Fr. Francis Parmar, after the completion of the Frater Intercontinental Conference with the Persons with Disabilities at Celja, Slovenia, I went for my personal, official and sentimental visits to Netherlands, Rome-Italy and Spain.  In Spain, on 9^th and 10^th August I had my condolence visit to the family of Ordoñez at Torres del Rio, Armañanzas and Los Arcos which are close to Logroño.

Whomever I met, after my initial sharing, they all felt sad; eyes were filled with tears and a few closest persons shed tears. I sincerely felt that they were comforted by my visit and they felt like participating in the holy Eucharist.  So, we together celebrated and participated in the holy Eucharistic at the Church of Los Arcos and fondly we re-membered Ignas in the midst of the gathered family. We really REJOICED for the gift and task of Ignas Bapu to humanity. Rev. Fr. Videgain of Logroño was the main celebrant, the past benefactor Missionary from Japan and an admirer of Ignas. After the Mass we were in an Easter mood and shared the meal together.

  

Besides meeting the family of Ignas, I was also introduced to meet Mr. Juan Luis, the Mayor of Torres del Rio, the birth place of Ignas. He really rejoiced with me for the gift of Ignas and fondly remembered the given award “THE BEST SON OF THE SOIL” by him to Ignas in the year 2008 at his village. He also expressed his gratitude how we Indians take care of Spanish Missionaries in Gujarat.

Then I was joyfully taken by him to visit his village museum in an upper room. After visiting, I was given the visitors’ book. This is what I wrote on 09.08.2014 in that book:

Fr. Girish Santiago, SJ

Unteshwari Sammilitalayam,

P.B. 9, Irana Road, Kadi –

382715, Gujarat, India.

I am really well pleased to visit the native place of my best Jesuit Missionary companion Rev. Fr. Ignacio Ordoñez, SJ who is from this same place. To me he is the best native person, the son of the soil from this Torres del Rio who really shared his faith which was received from here with the persons from Gujarat Mission.  Since his faith was strong, he could build the Church of Gujarat in a beautiful manner.

Today, though he is no more with us, still his spirit is alive in me and others in Gujarat. I am grateful to the family of ORDOÑEZ of Torres del Rio. I appreciate the people of Torres for treating all pilgrims, guests, friends and persons of all kinds with an open heart and sharing their faith through prayers and financial support. I wish you all for a Christ-filled life. Pray for us. We shall pray for you.

Prem ane Prarthana (in Gujarati)

With love and prayers,

Sd. Girish, SJ

 The above mentioned words of mine summarize in short who Ignas was for his native persons and to all of us in Gujarat. Today he is no more with us physically. But, he very much lives in us and moves with us in guiding us to serve MORE for God and His peoples in an unassuming way. That’s how he lived and that’s how he continues to inspire the missionaries in Gujarat.

Thank you Ignas Bapu for your earlier earthly life and the current heavenly blessings!

Girish Santiago, SJ