Memorial Mass Homily By: Ferdie Gayos | 02 Jan. 2026 @ St. Mary's Cathedral
Today, we gather for a Memorial Mass. We are not here simply because someone has died. We are here because someone has lived.
We come carrying a heavy mix of grief and gratitude, memories and hope. We come to commend our brother, Frank Padilla, into the merciful hands of God.
At every Sunday Mass, we proclaim: "I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting." Today, that isn't just a creed; it is our lifeline.
What Does "Rest in Peace" Really Mean?
When we say "Rest in Peace," we aren't talking about disappearing or escaping. We are talking about Resting in God.
For centuries, the Church has whispered: "Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him." That’s not a prayer of resignation—it’s a prayer of Faith. In Christ, "rest" isn't inactivity. It’s finally coming home.
Living Christ, Sharing Christ
Bro. Frank’s life confronts us with the mystery we all eventually face: What happens when the journey ends?
The Church doesn't give us a theory; she gives us a Person. Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life." Frank didn’t just believe those words; he lived them.
- He knew faith wasn't a "break glass in case of emergency" kit.
- It was his daily bread—in his family, his service, and his community.
- He lived the Gospel quietly, consistently, and faithfully.
He didn't live perfectly—none of us do—but he lived faithfully. And in the eyes of God, that is what matters.
Grief is Not Despair
Let’s be honest: death is hard. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. The Church allows us to ache and to mourn because love demands it. But for the believer, death is not a wall; it is a door.
In this Mass, we don’t "canonize" Frank. We do something more honest and more hopeful: we pray for him. We entrust him to a God whose mercy is wider than we can imagine. We thank God for the gift he was to his family—to Sis. Gerry, his five children (Ramon, Xavy, Vania, Lily, and Josh), and his 13 grandchildren.
To the family: Frank’s love for you didn't end with his last breath. Love is transformed, not destroyed. The same hands that held you and served you now rest in the hands of God.
To the Communities: MFC and CFC
Bro. Frank’s life is a masterclass in discipleship. He reminds us that following Jesus isn't always about being loud. Usually, it’s about showing up.
- It’s about being steady.
- It’s about serving when no one is watching.
- It’s about trusting God even when the road is unclear.
An Urgent Question for Us
Bro. Frank’s passing leaves us with a gentle but urgent question: If today were our day, would we be ready?
Not ready in fear, but ready in Trust.
Are we living reconciled lives? Are we loving more than we are clinging? Are we anchored in Christ rather than in our own control?
Are we living reconciled lives? Are we loving more than we are clinging? Are we anchored in Christ rather than in our own control?
The Good News
Bro. Frank did not walk into death alone. He walked with the same Christ who fed him at the altar, the same Christ who forgave him in Confession, and the same Christ who promised, "In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places."
Frank now rests where faith becomes sight. We say goodbye, but not farewell. We grieve, but we do not lose hope.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
And for us who remain on the journey: May we live more deeply, Living and Sharing Christ, until the day we are all gathered home.
Bro. Frank Padilla’s legacy continues in the mission of Missionary Families of Christ. Let us carry the torch of faith he held so well.
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