The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, former students, colleagues, and parishioners of +Rev. Fr. Leonilo “Nilo” Igloria.

Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma presided over the Funeral Mass with Fr. Joselito “Joy” Danao (District 2 Episcopal Vicar) as homilist at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. With him were Cebu Auxiliary Bishop-Emeritus Antonio Ranola, Malolos Bishop Dennis Villarojo, and visiting priests.

In his reflection, Fr. Danao shared practical suggestions from Pope Francis on how to prepare for a good and peaceful death:

1. Ask for the grace that you will die in the womb of the Church.

“Bisan daghan ta’g hugaw sa atong kinabuhi, apan kay siya inahan man, iya kitang putli-on, nga andamon ta niya, nga sa iyang sabakan, maangkon nato ang maayo ug malinawon nga kamatayon.”

2. Ask for the grace that you will die in hope.

“That is the heart and desire of God, nga bisan asa Siya, tua sad ta. Ang dakong pangutana, giila ba nato ang Ginoo nga adunay luna sa atong kinabuhi?”

3. Ask for the grace to live a Christian liiving legacy.

“We have been touched by the life of Fr. Nilo. Kada usa nato, natandog ta, nadani ta, ug nakita nato… nga naay Ginoo tungod kay Fr. Nilo.”

He concluded his reflection by expressing his gratitude to Fr. Nilo for his gift and dedicated service on behalf of the Church.

“Fr. Nilo, salamat sa imong pagkatawo ug labaw sa tanan sa imong pagkapari. Nahimo gyod ka sama sa gisulti ni Pope Francis, nga pangayuon nato ang grasya nga makahimo tag maayong kabilin, kabilin nga Kristohanon. Nilo, ang kabilin nga imong nahimo, ania sila karon, nagpasalamat kanimo tungod kay sila nakasaksi sa imong pagkatinuod nga pari ni Kristo,” he said.

Before the Final Commendation, Archbishop Palma spoke a few words of thanksgiving for the life of +Fr. Nilo and for those who joined the Funeral Mass.

The good archbishop emphasized that one’s sickness is a brief phase to death, which prepares him for eternal life.

“Once a person is reconciled to the reality of death, kining peace, kining beauty, becomes part of his demeanor,” he exhorted.