Chronicle of our remembrance of Jaime Bonet

Here is a short account of how we as Zone Philippines lived the

passing away of our dear founder, Jaime Bonet.
Jaime passed away at 11.45pm on Sunday
June 25, 2017 (which was 5.45am on
Monday June 26.) During this period the
majority of the celibate branches were
having their one month retreat in Tagaytay
(from June 10-July 8). We desired to be one
with the whole Verbum Dei family in
mourning, remembering and thanksgiving to
the Trinity and Mother Mary for the life of
Jaime.
On Monday June 26 in the morning guidelines of the retreat, Adriana
Haro (who was giving us one week of the retreat on the exercise of
fraternal love) read the letter of Luca Herreras with the official
announcement of the passing away of Jaime.
"Our founder, Jaime Bonet, today, Sunday, June 25 at 11:45 PM, has
left us to go and meet with the Father, with Jesus, the Holy Spirit and
Mary. They, the "Quartet of his loves", surely received him with great
joy: "Come, blessed of my Father, to receive the prize prepared for
you from the creation of the world"

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In the afternoon of that same day we held an ecclesial rosary prepared
by the misioneras.
Various images from
the life of Jaime were
projected. During the
rosary a dynamic was
held wherein the
Paschal candle was lit,
and from that the candle
representing the life of
Jaime. Each missionary
was then called by generation, helping us to appreciate the
transcendence of the life of Jaime, like Mary in that "generations will
call me Blessed."
The wake Eucharist in Tagaytay was celebrated by Vincent Guinoo
and concelebrated by Filipe Vaz Pardal and James McTavish.
Various members
of the Verbum Dei
family in Tagaytay
attended as well as
a large number of
our friends, the
Sisters were from
the Handmaids of
Charity.

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The Verbum Dei family around the Philippines held various masses.
Cebu and Cagayan de Oro held their mass on the evening of Monday
June 26. The mass in CDO was possible as Iwao happened to be
visiting CDO. In Manila, a rosary and mass was held with the Verbum
Dei family on Tuesday (Pansol) and Wednesday (Pasig).

(above) Mass with VDMFam in CDO

Mass in Pansol

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 VDMFam
in Cebu

VDMFam in
Pasig

Many members of the Verbum Dei family here expressed their

condolences and thanksgiving for the life of Jaime.
Typical samples include:

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"We never met Fr Jaime but through your lives and sharing his
charism with us all, it is like we know him. Thank you for the chance
to get to know a great man of God. Surely his room in heaven has
been prepared and waiting. Prayers offered. " (Verbum Dei SOWer)
The missionaries on retreat gathered to watch the live transmission of
the funeral mass in Loeches via internet streaming.

A vigil of prayer was held starting at 9pm on Wednesday June 28,

culminating with the viewing of the funeral mass at 2am on Thursday
June 29. The homily of Fr Rodrigo Carrizo focused on Jaime being a
man of prayer, a zealous missionary who allowed the Lord to refine
and purify his love.

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Informing the Bishops
We took a moment to inform the various Bishops of our respective
Dioceses as well as some friends in the Church hierarchy so we could
be one with whole Church in praying for Jaime. Letters were sent to
Cardinal Tagle (Manila), Abp Jose Palma (Cebu), Abp Ledesma
(CDO), Bp Reynaldo Evangelista (Imus), Bp Honesto Ongtioco
(Cubao), Bp Mylo Vergara (Pasig) as well as informing Abp Socrates
Villegas (Dagupan) and Bp Abet Uy (Tagbiliran). They variously
expressed their condolences.
"Dear Fr. James, Thanks for sharing the information. My
condolences to you and the whole Verbum Dei community. We are
one with you in grief, prayer and hope. God bless. Cardinal Chito"
(Cardinal Tagle, Manila)
"I am sorry to hear of the passing away of Father Jaime Bonet the
founder of Verbum Dei. Although we are saddened by his passing
away, I am sure in my heart that heaven has just welcomed another
saint. Please be assured of my union of prayers with the community
in this moment of irreplaceable loss. May God give him rest. Fr Soc
(Abp Soc Villegas, Dagupan, CBCP President)
Internment mass
The interment was on Thursday June 29, 2017 in Siete Aguas, Spain.
The mass homilist was Fr Antonio Velasco. In his homily he shared
about the 3 great loves of Jaime: 1. Trinity and Mary. His biggest
treasure: a way of relating with God very closely interpersonal
dialogue. 2. Passion for the mystical body. Passion for the suffering

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humanity of Christ. He had a photo of a little suffering child with the
words of the Psalm, Save me by your love.
3. The Word of God. The Spanish poem says You put a tool in our
hands and you told us is time to create. This tool is the Word of God.