RUIZ José Maria (Father) - Uruguay

Our brother, Fr Jose Maria Ruiz, returned to the Father’s house on 11th September 2012.
He was born 7th July 1930 in Rivera, a town north of Uruguay. 
From the age of nine, in Montevideo, he accepted the invitation to be a Betharramite priest and religious. 
His vocation matured at the Apostolicat at Barracas, in the Novitiate and Scholasticate at Adrogue. He was ordained priest in 1954, but in order to celebrate his first Mass at Montevideo he had to go via Asuncion for the frontier between Argentina and Uruguay was closed. The first years of his ministry were spent at the San Jose College in Buenos Aires, where he taught literature after his diplomas. 
Soon afterwards he was named Director of the college of the Immaculate Conception, Montevideo, a post he held for five years. He was then appointed to be in charge of the Parish of the “Basques”.
He assured the same mission at Atlantida; he finished at Montevideo in 2008, the year in which sickness prevented him from assuming any other activity.

Enrique Gavel, scj

FRIENDLY PORTRAIT

Fr. Jose Maria Ruiz was mad about books. Every day he used to go to the book shop of the St Paul Sisters – as though it were a magic experience, there to admire the novelties. He could spend hours there, looking for a hidden treasure; then he would come back home leaving a few pesos behind or maybe a debt to be paid later. Thanks to this “felix culpa” of his the community library was the richer for all the theology books, literature, and support materiel for catechists and for the animation of youth groups. He wasn’t just satisfied with buying books, he was a reader also! He could always be seen with a book in his hands. Sitting in a corner he would spend hours with Leonardo Boff, Juan Luis Segundo, Etty Hillesum or Edith Stein, Casaldaliga, St John of the Cross and Cafrune (the Argentinean singer-composer of folk music) and plenty others besides. He was widely read but this didn’t take from the simplicity of his preaching. He used to say “The homily is only two little tales and a conjunction.” This is why he had great affection for Mamerto Menapace (prior of the monastery Los Toldos, writer) and was inspired by him for all his activities: catechism, meetings with the youth, community discussions. He had a happy disposition, a smile for everyone, a reflection or joke to make for more laughter. During community meals he would tell of his exploits and happy occasions, of the people and Fathers he had known He used to enjoy teasing Fr Talamillo (a Spanish Betharramite with a lively spirit) getting him to tell us his latest exploits. He had a very high pitched voice, but when he developed Alzheimers and his memory failed him, he took to singing all the tangos which he had learned in his youth. He loved his community and knew how to communicate his enthusiasm. He was called upon to be superior during the years when the Holy Spirit was spreading a new air in religious life. He opened the doors of his parish (The Immaculate) to the diocese and accepted the implementation of the pastoral plan. During his time the house was full of young people; what a marvellous time! Those were the days when the young had to be begged to go home because it was late! They probably found a family atmosphere in the parish and in Father Jose the father figure who was often missing in their own families. There were times when he was a trifle distracted; one particular occasion he was leading a funeral procession, met another procession and ended up in the Jewish cemetery rather than in the Catholic one. He was both shy and reserved and was wont to say that as parish priest he was worth neither more nor less than the others. He well known to all consequently they came in crowds to pay him their respects the day of his funeral. Dear brother, today I don’t feel like cracking a joke, but I have lots of joy and goodness to share, as you taught me how to do. You are now with our Heavenly Father, I ask you to send me your blessing. Thank you and Adieu!

Giancarlo Monzani, scj