Samuel Garcia Zepeda
Amealco, Qro (México) 19 dicembre 1972
Guadalajara, Jal. (México) 9 marzo 1997
A poco più di un mese dalla morte di P. Domenico Marchetti, il Signore ha nuovamente visitato la Regione del Messico: alle 23.10 del 9.3.1997, è morto Samuel García Zepeda, studente di filosofia, stroncato dal tumore alla testa che si era manifestato nel maggio del 1995. Il confratello aveva compiuto da poco 24 anni essendo nato il 19 di dicembre del 1972 a Amealco, Qro.
Samuel entrò nel Seminario di San Juan del Rio nel 1986. Lì ha fatto le medie e la preparatoria. Passò, quindi, a Salamanca, Gto. per il Postulato e il Noviziato. Emessa la prima professione il 25.7.1993, passò a Guadalajara per gli studi filosofici.
Alla fine del secondo anno di filosofia, a causa di ricorrenti e lancinanti dolori alla testa, fu sottoposto a diversi controlli medici che rivelarono la presenza di un tumore maligno. Era la sentenza di morte, eppure Samuel lottò con tutte le sue forze contro il terribile male e sempre con serenità.
La comunità della filosofia di Guadalajara iniziò immediatamente una novena al Fondatore per ottenere da Dio il miracolo della guarigione. “Invece il Beato Fondatore - scrive P. Natalio Paganelli annunciando la morte del confratello (9.3.97) - ci ha fatto un altro miracolo, ha dato molta forza a Samuel per portare la croce: non si è mai lamentato, ha accettato con serenità la sua malattia. Per tutti noi questi due anni sono stati di grande insegnamento. Anche altri confratelli hanno potuto conoscerlo a Roma in occasione della Beatificazione del Fondatore”.
Il Vincitore della morte accolga nella Vita eterna il nostro giovane confratello, conforti la famiglia di Samuel e la comunità Saveriana del Messico.
Samuel Garcia Zepeda
Amealco, Qro (México) 19 dicembre 1972
Guadalajara, Jal. (México) 9 marzo 1997
Following the death of Fr. Domenico Marchetti of one month ago, the Lord has revisited the Region of Mexico by calling home our philosophy student Samuel Garcìa Zepeda on March 9 1997. He had been fighting a brain tumor since 1985. Our confrere was 24 years old, born on Dec. 19 1972 at Amealco, Qro.
Samuel entered the Seminary of San Juan del Rio in 1986 for high school. Then, he continued to Salamanca, Gto for Postulancy and Novitiate. After the First Profession on July 25 1993, he moved to Guadalajara for philosophy studies.
He was an introvert, a man of few words, prudent and observer of the things around him; yet, at the same time, through his silent presence he would communicate and contribute to the life of the community. One of his qualities was his honesty. The relationships with his friends and companions were friendly, simple, honest, serene, amiable, respectful and affectionate. At Salamanca, for postulancy and novitiate, he committed himself willingly to find his space in the new environment, by creating lasting friendships with both companions and formators. He was ever available for the services in the community, open to profound human relationships, and faithful.
At the end of the second year of philosophy he received the bad news from the doctors: a tumor had spread in the brain. The first operation for the removal of the brain tumor was on May 22 1995, followed by a period of relative normalcy in his life. It brought some optimism too for better future days. He underwent another operation on Oct. 12 1995, for the tumor was growing again. He felt well enough to be able to participate at the Beatification ceremony of our Founder in Rome on March 17 1996, to whom he attributed the grace of a better health. Unfortunately the trip tired him greatly, but gave him a great desire to continue the normal rhythm of community life.
New hospital exams revealed the necessity of a third operation, on Aug. 20 1996, followed by a fourth on Jan. 22 1997. From that moment on, Samuel did not recognize anyone and had few moments of clarity of mind. Yet Samuel was able to fight with renewed strength and serenity his approaching death.
The community of Guadalajara had started a Novena to our Blessed Founder to ask for a miraculous healing: “Instead, writes Fr. Natalio Paganelli in communicating the death of Samuel – our Blessed Founder gave us another miracle: he gave the strength to Samuel to carry his cross: he never complained, and accepted his illness with serenity. For all of us, these couple of years brought great teachings. Other confreres had the opportunity to meet Samuel in Rome for the occasion of the Founder’s Beatification.”
May the Victor of death welcome our young confrere into Eternal Life, and bring comfort to the family of Samuel, and the Xaverian community of Mexico.
