Meet Brother Richie

Bro. Richie, Richard  Michael Fernando (1970-1996) died at a young age of 26 in the Jesuit mission, Centre of the Dove in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  He was teaching and caring for young children - handicapped by the violent environment of Cambodia.  He had first encountered the Cambodia amputees during World Youth Day in Manila 1995.  On October 17, 1996, Bro. Richie had been 18 months in the mission when a grenade was thrown at the center.  The explosion injured two boys and killed Bro. Richie.

So many children and adults in Cambodia were marred by the unexploded mines buried in the fields.  The Jesuit mission sought to give them a helping hand through technical skills in building wheelchairs and artificial limb.  Bro. Richie was joyful amidst the visible scars of war in the mission, he felt closer to Jesus. 

I wish, when I die,  people remember not how great, powerful, or talented I was, but that I served and spoke for the truth,  I gave witness to what is right,  I was sincere in all my works and actions,  in other words, I loved and I followed Christ." 
Richie Fernando's retreat diary,
January 3, 1996

What kind of heart must we have to truly love the poor?  They do wear the imprints of some bad and ugly things in this world that was not necessarily their making.  Many would wish them away and do their utmost so they dwindle in number by reducing their population.  A priest friend of mine, when I asked if we can visit where he was assigned.  It was a neglected and undeveloped region in the Philippines.  All he could say is that it is not for the weak of heart.

Brother Richie, Mother Teresa, Father Richard Ho-lung and their missionaries must have more in their heart that they do not fall into desperation over the plights of the people they care about.  Courage - to accept the world we live in is not paradise.  Hope - to see that there is a chance for better and happy lives amidst the conditions they are in.  They are not social workers wherein the poor are the least and they are the superior ones that they depend on.  No, I think Bro. Richie, Mo. Teresa, and Fr. Richie knew that as much as they give, they are also being given.  They knew that beyond the poverty, the poor still has something to give.  Most of all, the heart of these missionaries had a heart after Jesus' own heart.  They love Jesus and Jesus loves the poor.  Although, most of the people they are working for are not Christians, Jesus was very much alive at their midst, because they start to love each other where they are and who they are.  From that foundation of love, they can move forward to possibilities and eventually experience far greater love - giving themselves totally.