They were teachers, scholars, mentors, ministers to the troubled. These men joined the priesthood in its heyday, before its ranks dropped precipitously.
They devoted their lives to God and helping others. After they grew old, they came to a secluded campus in the hills of the Santa Clara Valley to spend the rest of their days in quiet contemplation.In the span of a month, beginning in early December, eight residents of Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos died.As each man grew sicker, fellow residents entered the infirmary one at a time, anointed him with oils and said a prayer.“When that phone rang, it was haunting,” Peterson said.
Father Scott Santarosa, head of Jesuits West Province, said officials did everything they could to prevent a coronavirus outbreak. “The sacrifice, the belief in God and their mission helped these men through this difficult time,” Santarosa said, “but the loss of these great men is difficult to measure.”
In addition to prayer, Mass and reflection, the men took part in exercise classes, bingo, bridge, movies, museum excursions, picnics and lectures by fellow retirees.
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