Death of Fr. Saturnine González OP,
It was in our convent of S. José de Matsuyama, on June 5, 2022, at 2:00 AM, a few hours after he had turned 96 the day before.
God wanted to take him to heaven at dawn on Pentecost, without suffering, in the silence of the night, he fell asleep forever in the Lord. R.I.P.
As you well know, Fr. Saturnine worked for many years in the mission of Japan, both in the churches and in Aiko school, where he did a great job for many years for the greater glory of God and testimony of his dedication to the Mission that the Province entrusted to him, o which he dedicated his whole life with love and extraordinary fidelity. And always with a particular personality: with his peculiar character, his serene presence, his jokes, his scratchy and hoarse voice, his preference for vanilla ice cream and other little things, and above all a heart as a child and very big, who could bear the jokes of unruly friars. And despite being in bed in recent years, he never lost his cheerful countenance, always ready to converse gratefully with whoever came to greet him, even if he was not understood what he said, spoke and was glad to be visited, always with a shining face and a positive attitude.
Life is a gift, and life together as brothers, sharing the same Dominican charism, an even greater gift. Let us remember with gratitude the extraordinary gift that Fr. Satur was for us, and let us pray for his eternal rest.
Fraternally in Christ and Our Father St. Dominic,
Fr. Mariano González Martín OP Vicario Provincial