In Pace Christi

Fr. Javier, son of di Juan Sánchez Flores and Adita Edith de Jesús Vargas Torres, was born on 8 March, 1942, at Iquitos (Loreto-Peru), on the forest: a beautiful area with tenacious people, hard-working and dedicated. In this context was forged, from the time he was a child, the strong personality of Javier, who entered the Institute in 1967 – when the Combonians were still called “Missionary Sons of the sacred Heart of Jesus”. He had already studied for some time at the theological faculty as a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Lima.

Javier did the postulancy in Spain and, the following year, he moved to Mellatz, in Germany, for the novitiate. There he took first vows on 11 October, 1970. He studied theology in Rome, took final vows on 25 March, 1973 and, that same year, was ordained deacon. O his return to Lima he was ordained priest on 18 August, 1973, by Cardinal Juan Landázuri Ricketts. Since he was the first Comboni priest from Peru, as Fr Teresino Serra stated in his testimony, he had the privilege of doing further studies and specialisations in Europe.

Fr. Javier had his first missionary experience of a year at the parish of Sant’Anna in Tarma. From 1974 to 1977, he studied at the university of Louvain (Belgium) to obtain a license in pastoral theology.

He then returned to Tarma where he was placed in charge of the parish of “Señor de los Milagros” for ten years, up to 1987. The Bishop of Tarma, Mgr. Lorenzo Unfried, appointed him Vicar General of the diocese since he found in him an irreplaceable collaborator. We here give part of a testimony by a teacher from Tarma, Rosa Salazar Grozo, who met Fr. Javier when he first arrived in the parish of “Señor de los Milagros” and worked with him for several years: “He was a man of medium build, a learned man with a powerful voice, unique, one who caught the attention of all during his homilies. He reached people with love but also with firmness making us see what was good or bad and so led us to reflection and to change our lives. His priority was the young people and the children whom he invited to take part in the life of the parish and organising ‘useful’ holidays for them.

He continually worked for the instruction and formation of the youth, assisting them to find their way in life, including that of the religious life.  He often visited the families and was friendly towards all. It was he who started the radio broadcasts at Tarma of the Sunday Mass and he also had a spot in a local TV programme where he presented themes for reflection”.

In 1988, he was appointed to Mexico and worked in the parish of La Paz, in Bassa California, up to 1992. He used to recall with pleasure this period in Mexican Lower California – said Fr Teresino Serra – and would say that his contact with the people of Mexico had re-awakened pastoral enthusiasm in him and that his stay in Mexico, even though short, was a great missionary grace for his priesthood. He was kind-hearted and considerate. Many families in Lower California remember him for his kindness towards the sick”.

Fr. Javier returned to Peru in September 1992, and, until 1998, was in charge of missionary animation in Arequipa. In 1999, he moved to the centre for missionary animation in Lima, for one year. In 2001 he did the Renewal Course in Rome.

In 2002, having returned from Peru, he was appointed to the Provincial House in Monterrico where he continued to serve the mission in various ministries, one of his tasks being that of Secretary of the National Missions Centre.

Last year (2013), he asked to live outside the community to assist his elderly mother, Adita, who died soon afterwards. Fr. Javier left us on 31 July, 2014, due to diabetes. He was buried next to other confreres in the Comboni chapel of the British Cemetery in Lima.
Da Mccj Bulletin n. 262 suppl. In Memoriam, gennaio 2015, pp. 66-70.