Friends and followers of Father Luciano Ariel Felloni’s daily Almusalita were saddened by the news of his death on February 2. I could not contain my sadness when I read what had happened.
Father Felloni died on February 2 at the age of 51 from complications of skin cancer. His last assignment was as parish priest of Jesus, Lord of Divine Mercy Parish in Mapayapa Village, Quezon City, the Philippines and director of the diocesan Social Communications Office.
It was in 2016 that I first came across his programme Almusalita, which a friend shared with me on social media. I was so inspired by his reflections. Since then I have always looked forward to his talks. His reflections were inspiring, no wonder he had so many followers. Every day I watched his video reflections, shared them and tagged my friends. I sent him a friend request on Facebook and was overjoyed when he accepted. During our chats, I would ask him for some spiritual advice or if there were verses in the Bible that I did not understand.
One day my group suggested that I try to invite Father Felloni to Hong Kong to give us a Lenten retreat. Without thinking, he immediately agreed.
When he came to Hong Kong in 2018 for the Lenten Recollection at St. Alfred’s English Community, I asked Father Jay Flandez, SVD, chaplain of the Filipino Chaplaincy, if he could let another Filipino church organisation to invite Father Felloni to give a recollection. Father Flandez then contacted the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Tai Po. Many people attended his talk.
Father Felloni loved the Filipinos and his Tagalog was perfect. In fact, he used Tagalog in the daily reflections of his Almusalita and in his talks. Apart from his daily morning talks, he also had a feeding programme for the poor and a rehabilitation programme for drug addicts. I felt that he really loved the Filipinos very much and he told me many times that he wanted to die in the Philippines. He also applied for Philippine citizenship, that’s why he told me that when he goes to Argentina, his motherland, he always said he was going to visit and after his holiday he would say he was coming back home to the Philippines. For Father Felloni, the Philippines was his home. He is loved by many Filipinos, including those who work overseas. He really did a lot for the Filipinos.
To our dear Father Felloni, you have fulfilled your earthly mission. You are now in a better place. You will be missed and I believe that earth’s loss is heaven’s gain. You will be missed and always remembered. Rest in peace.
Cynthia Jaqueca
St Alfred’s Church
Tai Wai, N.T.
