02/07/2020
The life of Friar Joseph Maria Itabor (OFM Cap.); a Paraphernalia of Holiness.
It is paradoxical that it takes death, to teach us about life.
As we call to mind, the 15th year after our Father, Founder, Brother, Teacher, Spiritual Director, Fr. Joseph Maria Itabor (OFM Cap.) returned to His place among the heavenly host; I recall the writing of Elisabeth Kรผbler-Ross, in her last book titled, Death: The Final Stage of Growth. To me, it summarises the personhood of this holy man.
"What is important is to realise that whether we understand fully who we are or what will happen when we die, it's our purpose to grow as human beings, to look within ourselves, to find and build upon that source of peace, understanding and strength that is our individual self; and then, to reach out to others with love, acceptance and patient guidance, in the hope of what we may become together".
I can still visualise Father in his little cell in Lewis Street, Lagos, telling me: "If you are sincere, you must know that you cannot go to heaven alone! Your hands (Opening his 2 palms as though showing me something therein) must be filled with good works... with souls you have won for our Eucharistic King". Just listening to him, my favourite phrase: "Together, we can do many beautiful things for God", made perfect sense!!!
An Italian poet, Quasimodo, who won the Nobel Prize for Poetry, wrote a little poem that says: "Each of us stands alone in this vast world, momentarily bathed in a ray of sunlight; and suddenly, it's night." Well, If we stand together in service to God and our neighbour like Friar Joe taught us to, we can share the Sunlight and when 'night comes', it won't seem so frightening. Shortly before his death, almost all his organs started to fail, yet nothing but peace, radiated his countenance.
Friar Joe was the first person to nurture in my teenage heart, the pious practice of offering up Prayers and self mortification for the needs of others in pain or in lack, United with the Suffering Christ. Listening to his Brother, Friar Akosa, recounting the last days of Friar Joe on his deathbed, indeed, he seemed to have been nailed to the Cross.
Believe me, Fr. Itabor was an Incredible Gift to the Church, the Franciscan Capuchins and to the Pages of the Blessed Sacrament Movement which he found. But guess what? As we celebrate the memory of his life today, he challenges you and I, to become an Incredible Gift to the Church, our Family, our workplace/school, the PBS Movement (which he loved dearly) and the world at large!
Weisel in his book, "Souls on Fire", made a beautiful statement: "When you die and go to meet your maker, you're not going to be asked why you didn't become a Messiah or find a cure for Cancer. You're going to be asked - Why didn't you become *ALL* that you are?
It is little wonder that one of the Prayers that Fr. Itabor taught us in the PBS Movement says:
"My Crucified Jesus, help me to Crucify myself, ........Omnipotent God, make me what You want me to be!"
Dear Fr. Itabor, you enjoy the beatific vision of God, do not cease to intercede for us. Suffer us not to gain the whole accolades that life has to offer and be unfortunate to lose our Souls. Pray to God for us, for all our temporal needs and the means to make heaven after our Earthly sojourn. Let us one day, be reunited with you, in the unending Joys of Heaven, through Christ our Lord. Amen!
