Jesuit historian Jose Arcilla; 96

Renowned Jesuit historian Fr. Jose S. Arcilla, SJ, 96, died in Quezon City on Friday, according to the Society of Jesus in the Philippines.

In its Facebook page, the Philippine Jesuits announced that Arcilla died at the Jesuit Health and Wellness Center. No cause of death was provided.

“He entered the Society 77 years ago and was ordained to the presbyterate 63 years ago,” the announcement stated.

Tributes to Arcilla and condolences to his loved ones were posted on social media by fellow Jesuits, former students and fellow professors, family members, and fellow historians including Jose Victor Torres, Xiao Chua, Lino Dizon and Ian Alfonso. Arcilla, who taught at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City for many years, wrote on the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines and on the life of national hero Jose Rizal. He also served as the archivist of the Jesuit province in the country.

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Interment

A native of Catanduanes, Arcilla belonged to a group of Jesuit historians, including Horacio de la Costa, John N. Schumacher and Miguel Bernad, who presented an unapologetic Roman Catholic perspective on Philippine history.

According to the announcement, the wake will be held from Jan. 26 to Jan. 28 at the Loyola House of Studies at Ateneo. The funeral mass will be held on Jan. 29, to be followed by interment at the Sacred Heart Novitiate Cemetery in Novaliches, Quezon City. —JEROME ANING INQ