ARGENTINA, Juan Barbosa. The Shrine of Life and Hope in Córdoba now has its first Black Cross. In the shadow of the Shrine, rest the remains of he who has been named, since his return to the House of the Father, Rector General of the Mission: Jere Ruiz. Shortly more than three months since that moment – in an emotional reflection on his life and the sudden departure from the Boy’ Youth of Córdoba and with certainty from the Republic of Argentina – he is remembered today by his spiritual adviser, Fr. Marcelo Gallardo.
The latent remembrance of “el Jere” in each youth
“Jere’s departure has been so deeply painful – as is the death of a life recently begun and greatly fruitful for the Boys’ Youth. Very strong values which Jere embodied in the depth of his heart, today mark the youths to the point that in each Home Shrine of each Community of the last GM (Gaudium Mariae – the annual mission which takes place from Córdoba and the last one, No. 7, last December, moved 180 university youths from Chilecito in the province of La Rioja) with a photo of Jere and a document with the values which the participants had seen rooted in him, practically coincidental (Radicalness, Simplicity, Strength, Faith, Commitment and Service).”
“Jere Ruiz, spiritual Rector of the Mission”
“One of the most incredible things was that for GM 7, we had ordered the oars with plenty of time. Jere dies and we wanted to identify him forever by placing his title:’Jere Ruiz, spiritual Rector of the Mission’ on the oars. We thought it would not be feasible since there was little time left before the Mission and they had to be made…..Providence was thinking the same as we and…..and we were able to print the title on them since they had not been completed!”
“At the last camp for university students – continues Fr. Marcelo Gallardo in his narrative – Jere’s ashes have been placed in the Home Shrine since we wanted to pay him this last homage as a Branch. Jere was happy at the camps since he was able to really show his naturalness with the others. I would say that a camp…..was his natural habitat!”
The Black Cross of Córdoba is in gestation
One day while the father of Jeremías Ruiz was speaking to Fr. Marcelo, he told him what without a doubt would be for Jere the fulfilling of one of his greatest desires: to rest at “his” Cerro de las Rosas Schoenstatt Shrine. Fr. Marcelo tells us that it produced a great question in him, not by him, since his knowledge of Jere as his spiritual adviser justified it, but because he knows the family well since forever and ” in Córdoba there have been many pious persons even with the witnessing of everyday sanctity, commitment and service….. Blessed Mother has worked hard here and has produced living stones with great generosity,” he tells us with emotion and strong feelings.
“After a truly blessed 2009 with strong currents, for example ‘What are you going to do for your country?’ (for more information go to www.portupatria.org.ar) and with the month of May Eucharistic celebrations (daily Masses were celebrated with an average of 300 persons attending daily), we have Jere’s called Home….. We clearly interpreted what Mary told us overwhelmingly that the saints are her crown.”
“After a unanimous vote by the Fathers in Córdoba, we raised the request of placing Jere as a Black Cross in the Shrine of Life and Hope to which we also had a unanimous and overwhelming response. Mary’s message was clear: Jere should rest in the shadow of the Shrine.”
The heroes are not only found in books
This phrase came forth spontaneously from Sister Kornelia when she received an email which informed her of Jere’s demise. She received many other emails asking her, “Who was this young man?” This was how the information which was published a week after his passing came forth. Important aspects of his personality were highlighted here, as well as heartwarming events which took place during his departure. “Father, who was this young man?” This was a question asked of him by one of the drivers of the funeral cortege…..saying that he had never seen so many people at the funeral of a non-public person.
“We reflected at the Camp – Fr. Marcelo Gallardo continues – on Jere’s values and on his deep sentiments (committing himself completely for his family, having a long and holy courtship with his dear Mechu Aliaga, knowing exactly his mission in the world, and additionally on the way in which he carried it forth, among others…..). We saw in Jere a model of sanctity for the present times and basically for the Youth. Jere fulfilled his ideal with a strong Marian impression…..in silence, in action, but always without exhibitions.”
“We saw clearly that we were not “fabricating” a hero, but that we had him within a stone’s throw…..here, among us and we must thank God ever so much for instruments like Jere were contemporaries and especially that he was ‘one of our own.'”
The Black Cross is in its place
It is not unusual to see members of both the Schoenstatt Boys’ and Girls’ Youths while on their way to their meetings, Masses or Branch activities, make a “stop” by Jere’s tomb to pray with him for a short time. The Spiritual Rector of the Mission has undoubtedly been a mirror which reflects a young man seriously committed to the ideals which in his family have marked him and which his beloved Boys’ Youth have “inscribed with fire” into their hearts. His deep love for Mary, his commitment to the Mission, his being such a good friend to his friends, his being so in love with his Mechu in a holy courtship – are only some of the enormous attributes of this young man who is today in the favorite Garden of the Good Father God.
“Undoubtedly, his moment of spiritual splendor is marked by the Mission of Chilecito (GM7) -continues Fr. Marcelo Gallardo in his narrative – and his dream was there. All of his friends went with me into Therapy to renew with him his Covenant of Love with Mary and to surrender him to the Blessed Mother. After that renewal, the Group expressed its motto for the last time with their friend who was departing….. “Queen of Chilecito, we are afire for your Mission.” At that moment, Jere’s father said to me….. Chilecito! Jere would spend the entire day speaking of Chilecito!
Without a doubt, Jere has been a Crown of the Coronation, a true LIVING CROWN,” ends Fr. Marcelo’s commentary.
We are left with a question floating in the air and which surely with time will bring forth many more notes like this one because we feel we will have the answer which motivates them. The question from the driver and from Sister Kornelia, both separated by more than 13,000 kilometers…..Who was that young man?
Translation: Carlos Cantú, Schoenstatt Family Federation, La Feria, Texas USA 040910
