ARGENTINA, Juan Barbosa. On the afternoon of the 16th of December, the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth of Córdoba, suffered one of the greatest tragedies in its history: the going home to the House of the Father of one of its dearest, most committed members and one loved by all, Jeremías Ruiz. He was affectionately called “el Jere” and they will continue calling him this way. His going home was not only sudden but unexpected. A cerebral aneurism was the explosive which in hardly 6 hours caused his death, permitting him, nevertheless, to do it in peace with God through the reception of the Anointing of the Sick and accompanied by family and very close loved ones.
Joyful, close and pragmatic
With these very clear and decisive words about his personality, Fr. Marcelo Gallardo of the Schoenstatt Fathers Community, his Spiritual Director, defined Jere, adding that firmness and commitment were the two totally palpable gifts in him when performing his apostolic work which was something he loved.
Already as a boyfriend with his inseparable Mechu Aliaga, Jere entered the Schoenstatt Boys’ Youth where he met his other great love, the Mother of God. He sealed his Covenant of Love with Her on November 22, 2003, and there, in the Shrine of Life and Hope at the Cerro de las Rosas (mountain of the roses), he promised to the Virgin Mary his loyalty, his apostolic commitment and his daily struggle for sanctity. In his consecration prayer, Jere asked the Mother of God for her enlightenment in order to develop in all areas as best as possible according to the mandate and the will of God.
“Jere had an enormous gift – narrates Fr. Marcelo Gallardo with a great far-reaching smile, he was present completely. He “was at home”wherever he was and, thanks to his great personality, he could park his R6 (antiquated auto) next to the most luxurious cars without losing his great self-esteem which he lived with great humility.”
A story of love and friendship
In the 8 years of inseparable courtship with Mechu, they did not stop cultivating, not even for a day, their love for the Mater (Blessed Mother) as the Mother of God is called lovingly in Schoenstatt. “They shared dreams and very high ideals for their individual development and for their courtship which they maintained with sanctity and with profound commitment to each other and with others – continued Fr. Marcelo Gallardo. They did not close themselves up but cultivated deeply their love and they radiated it to others not only as an image but in concrete acts.
Both were profoundly missionary to the point that Jere said that for years he dreamt of being Rector of Gaudium Mariae (the name which identifies the summer Mission led by the Schoenstatt Boys’ and Girls’ Youths; the next one will be the 7th and will be composed of 180 youths). This was now given to him, not by his own choice, but by the Team since it was the consensus of the Group. He desired to be Rector in order to serve a Missionary Community.
Another passion he had was singing and also singing traditional folklore. Through them he formed the group LOS NOGALES (Pecan trees) for which Jere was very proud. In life and in his final moments, he was surrounded by posters and CD’s from his group of dear fellow-singers.
Jere’s friends say that his attitude was to always listen actively. His natural disposition for action and his heart open to all (thus the title of this article Jere Ruiz: a MISSIONARY Heart) always prompted him to solve whatever situation came up whether it regarded him, his friends, or his missionary group. “It is not in vain that two of the groups he was in – continued Fr. Marcelo – bear names which so well define Jere: COR UNUM (one missionary heart) which was the name of his group in Gaudium and MAGIS (always give more) the ideal of his Group for Life.”
God’s call
While at work on the morning of December 16th (he was about to leave his job to complete his university studies where he would graduate with a degree in Agronomy Engineering), he had a terrible headache which ended up in his being sent to intensive care at the Hospital Privado (private hospital) where his father is part of the excellent medical group of that renown health center.
Completely conscious, he was visited by his relatives, friends, and, of course, by Fr. Marcelo Gallardo. After a good talk between the two, the priest administered the Anointing of the Sick and he was able to enjoy a good encounter with his fellow brothers of the Boys’ Youth. Afterward, with Jere who was now unconscious, they renewed together their Covenant of Love with Mary and recited for the last time with Jere the motto for this Mision. They will carry it in their hearts for the rest of their lives: “QUEEN of Chilecito, we are on fire for Your Mission.”.
His dear Blessed Mother manifested herself by means of an offer which Fr. Marcelo Gallardo made to Jere’s father: the farewell in the Shrine which Jere loved dearly. The Boys’ Youth took charge of the entire ceremony as a means of accompanying their icon. Without a doubt, Fr. Marcelo Gallardo defined it thus, citing that “I am grateful to the dear Mother of God that in this coronation year, She had the finesse of proposing to us an icon both as a youth and as a missionary in the person of our dear Jere. Undoubtedly, he lived in a constant struggle for sanctity and in permanent service to others as was his life’s desire.” In his last visit to the Shrine, Jere reposed next to the altar under his beloved QUEEN and in permanent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament which was shared by hundreds of youths. They accompanied THEIR FRIEND throughout the entire night.
He does not leave us. Jere left on a Mission
There were two Eucharistic celebrations for his final farewell. There was one on the evening of the 16th where hundreds of persons gathered around the altar to bid him farewell, and on the following day, at four in the afternoon. It was held at that time since his mother was returning from Europe. “The funeral Mass has been a Mass of SENDING FORTH – says Fr. Marcelo Gallardo. As General Rector of Gaudium, I personally left beside Jere, as a means of handing over, the Rosary of the Rectors and I gave Mechu Aliaga the Bible so she could be the one to put it at the side of her great love and together we send Jere on his last Mission. Jere will not let us. He will not rest. He is going to work from Heaven with THE QUEEN, taking care of each group and of each missionary so that his heart opens and in this way goes on pilgrimage with the Mother of God in fullness.”
A recently blessed poster indicates the entrance to the headquarters for the Father Joseph Kentenich Center of the Apostolic Schoenstatt Movement at the Cerro de las Rosas where the final farewell took place. Why there? Because that poster is largely there due to Jere’s merits. Through his drive and his constancy the construction went ahead (he himself negotiated, took care of and controlled the funds for the financing!) and a cute anecdote shows him “in full figure” as they say in Argentina. “Jere had those strong elements of unity in both the spiritual and the natural which are so necessary for understanding, admiring and loving God deeply – Fr. Marcelo Gallardo continues telling us – . When the wish for a great poster comes forth, the first thing done is a raffle…..a very attractive first prize, because of technology; a very admired second prize, for the spiritual which was already a picture of the Blessed Mother; and…..lacking was a third prize. Without question Jere says…..a pig! In case they did not understand his message, he told the commission that without a doubt that would be a prize which would integrate nature into the raffle. And obviously it happened that way!
In conclusion, Fr. Marcelo Gallardo wants to show his enormous gratitude, and in the name of all the Youth, “to the entire Schoenstatt Family who in so many thoughtful ways has accompanied us in this difficult moment of bidding farewell to a friend. This clearly showed that Jere did not belong to the Youth, but to the Family and it assures us with great certainty that each member belongs to the Family even though he/she may be involved in activities in a determined Branch or activity.” “A great thank you to everyone.”
Father…..who was this boy?
We close this homage with three commentaries which mark with midday clarity that Jere was someone special:
“Undoubtedly, it could be no one other than Jere whom the Blessed Mother would call because of his enormous bravery, for his absolutely unconditional YES” (Eugenio Méndez, Leader of the University Men’s Youth of Córdoba).
“We must see to it that the world knows of these testimonies. Our heroes are in the books, but not only in them. They are also in daily life! (a Schoenstatt Sister of Mary).
“Father, who is this boy? Never, in any funeral of a non-public person did I ever see so many people and never had I seen so many demonstrations of affection and deep pain” (Chauffeur for one of the funeral cars discussing with Fr. Marcelo Gallardo).
More information, testimonies: www.jmcordoba.org.ar
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 123009
