In the early hours of the 15th of September 2020, Br. Francisco S. Garces, OFMCap. peacefully passed on from this world and returned to the loving embrace of the heavenly Father. His death occurred just before two in the early morning after a month of being confined at The Medical City, Pasig. Coincidentally, the day was the memorial of the Bd. Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows and, his demise brought grief to the brothers of the Province and the fraternity of St. Francis of Assisi, Mandaluyong which is still reeling from the death of Br. Manuel Javier Remirez, OFMCap last March.
Br. Francisco was born on December 25, 1925 in Ormoc City, Leyte. In 1945 he moved to Manila where he studied Mechanical Engineering at Adamson University. Before joining the Capuchins he worked as a sales agent and an assistant supervisor. He was at the peak of his professional career when he responded to the call of the Lord and entered the Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary, Tagaytay. He made simple profession on May 27, 1961 in Tagaytay and perpetual profession on the same day, four years later, in Pamplona, Spain. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1966 also in Pamplona.
Upon returning to the Philippines he was assigned to various ministries – formation, school administration and fraternity service as local economo. His longest tenure of service in the country was in Singalong, Manila where he served in St. Anthony School as assistant director (1971-1979) and school director (1985-1995). He also served as definitor of Vice-Province from 1976-1979. After the return of the administration of the St. Anthony Parish and school to the Archdiocese of Manila, Br. Francis went to do missionary and pastoral work in Texas, USA in 1995 and he stayed there for almost twenty years.
In May 2014 he finally returned to the Philippines and became a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, Mandaluyong. Despite of his advanced age, he continued to assist in the parochial ministries by celebrating the Holy Eucharist, hearing confessions and other liturgical services and this led him to be well known among the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Aside from his ministries, Br. Francis never failed to share his presence among the brothers of the Province. He is endeared to the brothers as a beloved lolo and, being the eldest in the Province in terms of age and profession, he enjoys the respect and esteem of the brothers as his presence brings joy whenever there are provincial gatherings or special events.
In May 2014 he finally returned to the Philippines and became a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity, Mandaluyong. Despite of his advanced age, he continued to assist in the parochial ministries by celebrating the Holy Eucharist, hearing confessions and other liturgical services and this led him to be well known among the parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. Aside from his ministries, Br. Francis never failed to share his presence among the brothers of the Province. He is endeared to the brothers as a beloved lolo and, being the eldest in the Province in terms of age and profession, he enjoys the respect and esteem of the brothers as his presence brings joy whenever there are provincial gatherings or special events.
Br. Francis’ earthly sojourn has finally ended and he will be surely be missed by the brothers and the many people whose lives he had touched through the years of his ministry. May his life serve as an inspiration to the brothers of the Province as they continue to strive to follow and be faithful to the Lord in the gift of the Capuchin vocation. May the Lord be praised and blessed because of the gift of life, the blessed ninety four years given to Br. Francis in which he became an instrument of God’s loving presence.
Name: FRANCISCO SACAY GARCES, OFMCap.
Religious Name: Francisco Jesus of Ormoc
Parents: Vicente Garces & Saturnina Garces
Birthday: December 25, 1925
Birthplace: Ormoc City, Leyte
Postulancy: May 1960, Tagaytay City
Novitiate: May 17, 1960, Tagaytay City
Simple Profession: May 27, 1961, Tagaytay City
Solemn Profession: May 27, 1965, Pamplona, Spain
Diaconate: June 1966, Pamplona, Spain
Ordination: June 29, 1966, Pamplona, Spain
Assignments:
| Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary, Tagaytay | 1966 – 1967 | Member of the Fraternity |
| Our Lady of Lourdes Seminary, Lipa | 1967-1971 | Vice Rector, Guardian |
| St. Anthony School, Singalong | 1971-1979 | Assistant Director |
| Lourdes School, Mandaluyong | 1979-1982 | Treasurer |
| Sacred Heart of Jesus, Sta. Mesa Fraternity | 1982-1985 | Local Economo |
| St. Anthony School, Singalong | 1985-1995 | School Director |
| Dallas, Texas | April 1995 | Missionary |
| St. Francis of Assisi, Mandaluyong | May 2014 | Member of the Fraternity |
Other Assignments:
Definitor (Vice Province) 1976-1979
Death: September 15, 2020
Eternal rest grant unto the soul of Br. Francisco, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him…may he rest in peace…Amen.
