FR. JAMES Reuter, SJ may not have been Filipino by blood, but he was definitely Pinoy in heart and mind.
The revered and beloved 96-year-old American priest (who was also known for being an academic, singer, athlete, artist and political activist) passed away on December 31 from lung and heart failure. The entire nation mourned over his passing.
Born in New Jersey on May 21, 1916, Fr. Reuter made a crucial decision at age 7 — one that would determine his life’s journey.
He decided to become a missionary and entered the Society of Jesus at age 18. Four years later, he was sent to the Philippines to study philosophy as a Jesuit scholastic, said Inquirer.net.
The Jesuit immediately felt right at home and fell in love with the people as well. He credits the Philippines and Filipinos “for teaching him the true meaning of faith.”
“When I first came here, I thought I was bringing God to the Philippines. But what I discovered was [the Filipinos] brought God to me,” said Fr. Reuter during his 94th birthday in 2010.
Fr. Reuter is best known as a prominent communicator of the church — using various forms of media (radio, TV and print) to spread the Word of God for almost 50 years.
He is best remembered for his lasting contribution, “Radyo Bandido” — an underground radio station which kept the country and the world in tune with events, as they happened during the 1986 EDSA Revolution. DZRJ radio became Radyo Bandido, with June Keithley-Castro serving as “the eyes and ears” for the people during the 4-day uprising.
Fr. Reuter was a 1989 Ramon Magsaysay awardee in Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts for “employing his gifts as writer, theatrical director and broadcaster, and most of all as teacher, to make the performing arts and mass media a vital force for good in the Philippines.”
In 1996, the beloved Jesuit became an honorary Filipino by a unanimous vote in Congress.
In 2005, the Senate hailed Fr. Reuter through SR No. 17 for his “extraordinary and unparalleled life of service to the Filipino people.”
In 2009, he received the Serviam Award from the Catholic Church “for his hard work and passion as a priest and as head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ media commission.”
In 2011, Pres. Benigno Aquino III bestowed upon Fr. Reuter the Philippine Legion of Honor with the rank of Chief Commander — the highest honor that the President of the Philippines may grant an individual without the concurrence of Congress.
While the highly-esteemed Fr. Reuter joined his Creator, he leaves behind a legacy of wisdom and genuine love for Filipinos.
In his blog, Jamesreutersj.blogspot.com, Fr. Reuter’s words of love, wisdom and insight lives on. Here are some excerpts:
“Filipinos children have stars in their eyes. They dream dreams. They know that life is a gift. They know that what counts in this world is the beauty of life and the sweetness of love.”
“The joy of being a Filipino is that we all accept each other as we are. We do not expect everyone to be a genius or a saint. And this is the beginning of love.”
“The spirit of God is joyous, humorous, enthusiastic, inspiring. Religion was meant to be a joy. Even when you pray with tears, the tears spring from a soul at peace.”
“The Filipino is affectionate. The Filipino is forgiving. The Filipino is all heart, all love. We have been touched by the hand of God.”
“What the Filipino values most is not money, or power, or comfort, or pleasure. Our greatest treasure is each other. And in each other we find God.”
In a conversation with Inquirer columnist Ma. Ceres Doyo, Fr. Reuter encapsulates his sentiments about being an honorary Filipino best.
“I was born in the USA and I am still an American citizen but I belong to the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus. I still go to the US, lately for business purposes. I get a culture shock whenever I’m there. I belong here. I’ll die here. I’ll be buried here, at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Novaliches.”
Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Reuter, O Lord. He will be sorely missed.
(AJPress)
