From the JESUIT Province Socius, Fr. Abbott, re: the Demise of and Wake and Funeral masses for Fr. James Reuter, S.J.–
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This is to inform you that FR. JAMES B. REUTER, S. J. died just before 1 p.m. today in Our Lady of Peace Hospital, Coastal Road, Parañaque, M.M. Fr. Reuter, 96, entered the Society on 7 September 1934 and was ordained a priest on 24 March 1946. Requiescat in Pace.
Wake: The wake starting tomorrow will be in St. Paul’s College, Pedro Gil St., Manila. Thursday morning the body will be brought to Ateneo de Manila University’s Church of the Gesù, Loyola Heights, Q.C.
Daily wake Masses there at 8 p.m.
Funeral Mass: On Saturday, 5 January at 8:30 a.m., also in the Church of the Gesù.
Interment: Sacred Heart Novitiate Jesuit Cemetery, immediately after the Funeral Mass.
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Possibly, in my 56 years of existence, I would say that Fr. Reuter showed me the best exemplification of what God meant about creating us in His image and likeness.
Years back, I heard mass at AIM and a common friend said he’d introduce us to Fr. Reuter. I demurred because, what for? I didn’t think myself worthy. But when Fr. Reuter saw me, he was so gracious, I felt touched by his goodness.
Years later, at a mass in Ateneo’s covered courts, we saw him again. This time he was much older and had a male attendant holding his arm to keep him steady. He was talking to someone then, but when he saw us approaching him, I in my wheelchair, he took several steps forward to bridge the distance between us and welcomed me like he knew me. It must have been an effort, considering how deformed his toes were by then, possibly because of old age or perhaps, arthritis? But there he was, sincerely welcoming one of God’s flock, making that one person feel loved.
Goodbye, Fr. Reuter. With you now in heaven, the Philippines which you loved so well, will have one fervent soul praying for it, for us.
He had this amazing way of making you feel comfortable, loved, and important, and the Paulinian community, or at least this Paulinian, certainly felt it. He was our recollection master in our senior year in high school, and with guilt deeply imbued in us, every little transgression seems magnified in one’s mind, but he made us feel forgiven and so much loved. I will never forget him.
Lucky you to have had him as retreat master. Aside from the situations above, my only encounters with him were through reading his columns and watching him on TV. And he radiated such goodness each time.