The funeral Mass for Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ was held in St Ignatius Church in Tokyo on 23 May presided by Japan Provincial Fr Renzo de Luca SJ. Although the ceremony was held privately, as preventive measures against the coronavirus are enforced in Japan, thousands were able to follow the liturgy live on YouTube.
Fr General Arturo Sosa SJ delivered the homily through a pre-recorded video, in which he spoke of Fr Nicolás, who, like a grain of wheat having died to itself, had “given so much life in the Spirit”.
Pope Francis sent his condolences to Fr de Luca upon hearing of the news of Fr Nicolás’ death on 20 May. In his message, which was read during the Mass, the Pope said: “I am close to all of you and pray. The memory of Nico moves me to be grateful for all he did for the Society and for all he did for me, too.”
On the same day in Rome, Fr General Sosa led the Jesuits based in Rome in a Mass in the Church of the Gesù in honour of Fr Nicolás who had been Superior General of the Society of Jesus from 2008 to 2016.
Several memorial Masses were also offered by the Jesuit provinces within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific and around the world.
On 24 May, the Arrupe International Residence (AIR) with Jesuits from the East Asian Pastoral Institute (EAPI) in the Philippines held a memorial service for Fr Nicolás who was a beloved member of both communities. After his resignation as Superior General, Fr Nicolás was missioned to AIR and EAPI where he gave spiritual direction.
Myanmar Deacon Paul Tu Ja SJ, who was Fr Nicolás’ aide during his stay in AIR, recalled with fondness and gratitude the time he assisted Fr Nicolás in simple and practical tasks “with liberty and joy”, the humility of the former Father General to accept reality, and the light conversations they shared about the Myanmar Jesuit mission.
“I believe, for all of us, letting go of someone, saying goodbye, is very hard, especially to someone we are close to, someone we love, someone we share common things with in one community,” he said. “I thank Fr Nico for the gift of life he shared with all of us. We owe him a lot for serving and guiding the Society of Jesus.”
The funeral took place on the eve of the Feast of Our Lady of the Way. Fr General Sosa said the Society’s devotion to the Madonna della Strada is a reminder that “we are pilgrims” on a journey “accompanied by Mary who takes us by the hand, following her son Jesus who opens the way to the Father”.
“We do not know the details of the journey,” he said, “but we have learned from companions like Adolfo that it is not necessary to have the map, but to trust in the one who opens the way for us and in his Spirit who reminds us what is needed at each moment.”
Godspeed, Fr Nico, in your journey home to the Father.
Watch the funeral Mass here: Related Story: Death of a Superior General: Fr Adolfo Nicolás SJ (1936-2020)