in memoriam

SPAIN

FATHER LEONARDO GALLEJONES GOMEZ

On July 27th 2006, Fr. Leonardo passed away after a long disease. The parish priest of La Pobla, Fr. Manuel Martin Nebot, paid homage to him during the funeral celebrated in the parish of Benlloch (diocese of Castellon). Extracts.

In the summer of 1986, 20 years ago, Leonardo landed in my presbytery in Vilanova de Alcolea. He arrived from a college belonging to his Congregation in the Argentine. He was coming in a spirit of service, without any great pretensions, simply as a substitute.

He was always faithful in putting into practice the characteristics of his charism as Priest of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Betharram, the same as that sought by St Michael Garicoits: Father, here I am, without delay, without reserve, without looking back. Father, here I am, to serve the plans of your love.

We all know Leonardo; I repeat we know because our faith in the risen Christ helps us to say, that even if he is no longer bodily present with us, he is living in Christ the fullness of God the Father. He is living in and through Him, in our midst, in the communion of saints.

During his last days this was his prayer: Lord, in you we have life, movement and being. Here I am. Take me!

When he had some bright idea, nobody or nothing could make him keep quiet. Not even a Bishop… His suggestions and attitudes were crystal clear and were the result of his obvious fidelity to God, to Christ, to the Gospel and to the people whom he served. At times we were in a predicament. It was difficult to put up with, but despite everything he stuck to his guns because he was deeply rooted in the reality of the people and the diocese. And even if misunderstood, he tried to be near to all and to bring people nearer to Jesus Christ and the Gospel. To be closer to the people, he even became football manager, including a women’s team. He would use the walkie-talkies of the pigeon hunters, even though they weren’t exactly church goers.

Despite all his shortcomings we were lucky to have him with us... Thanks to his family. Thanks to the Betharramites, here represented by Fr Gaspar and Bro. Theodore, and to those who have left their life here: Sinforiano, Fernando and now Leonardo...