Be tofaithful your
Love (Narrator's Note: Our community in Don Bosco Tarlac had the unique privilege of taking care of Brother Nicolas Aguila, SDB from his days of sickness with cancer until he breathed his last. He was a man of very few words, most of those were even silly jokes. But the life he lived was an eloquent witness to his God-given vocation as a Salesian brother. Allow me to be the mouthpiece of our dear Brother Nick. His exact words are in quotations. The following are from the stories he told me, from the stories and homilies said during his wake, and from what is recorded in our archives. May these help us appreciate him, his life, and his death.)
By Br. Nicolas Aguila SDB
“I
as narrated by one of his pongklong, Fr. April Jerome Quinto, SDB
am a Salesian. I am Br. Nick Aguila. I am a Salesian Brother. I help in the education of the young as the in-charge of the Don Bosco Youth Center (DBYC).” November 21, 2020. I did not anymore see the sunrise on this blessed day. It was a Saturday, the day of our Blessed Mother. In fact, it was the memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a great day indeed! Mary lifted me up from my bed of pain and suffering. She took my hand and led me to see Her Son, Jesus Christ. It was hard to leave the place where I spent the last 20 years of my life. OhI The plants, who would water them? But it was harder to part with the boys and girls whom I cared for dearly, and my dear confreres whom I loved deeply. I was willing to endure more pain if it will only ease the pain of those poor youth. I was willing to suffer more if it will lead more young people to know Christ and inspire more individuals to help them. But I had to go. Relieved from my earthly suffering, I was called to respond to my ultimate vocation which is to be with God… and enjoy the promise of Don Bosco.
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St. John Bosco Today | January-March 2021
I left with much joy in my heart. My confreres assured me that they will take care of the boys and girls… that they would be OK. In the past days, I had a chance to be with my family. I got to see all my brothers, some of my nephews and nieces. Many of my beloved students came to greet me too. “I have no bad memories” of my students, only good and happy ones. My fellow Salesians visited me, too. They still laugh at my silly jokes and crazy antics. Some tricked me and made me dance, that made me forget the pain away even for a while! My friends and colleagues extended their joyful smiles and warm hugs and kisses. They helped ease my burden and agony. Nurses and volunteer DBYC alumni took care of me round-the-clock. I am happy and content. In my last days, I received messages and even gifts from around the country and abroad. They were from the boys I taught when I was assigned in the Salesian schools in Cebu, Bacolor, Mandaluyong, and Tarlac. Some of them were part of the volleyball teams I coached. Most were just
