So Long Brother Felix
I was saddened by the news from my highschool mailing list that Brother Felix Mason passed away last Feb 6 (Manila Time) in the La Salle Brother’s retirement home in California. Of all the La Sallian Brothers I’ve met, Brother Felix was the most endearing.
The first time I met this tall American, in the hallway of our school, he shouted to me from afar “You must be a Javellana?!” The initial fear of this booming American had long gone once I saw his disarming smile. “So whose son are you?” he said next, then to my bewilderment he enumerated all the names of my relatives that were once under him. That was because he once taught my dad and some of my uncles when they were still in gradeschool. When I mentioned this to my Dad, when he visited us in Manila, he looked at the wall blankly then smiled the not so usual smile of somebody reminiscing fond times. He narrated how Bro. Felix was such a memorable character, truly unique and how he would captivate the students to learn from the lessons he taught by ending each lesson with an open ended story. The effect was that the students would pay attention in order for him to tell the tale.
During Bro Felix’s time in our school, every student was invited to his office on his/her Birthday. Mang Bravo, the school messenger, would have a note to give to the teacher requesting you to visit Brother Felix’s Office. And since it would mean that for a few minutes you would be let out of class you would walk your slowest step to go to his office on the first floor near the old prep area just to prolong further the time you could spend out of class.
When you came to his office his secretary would immediately usher you in and this giant hunk of a man would greet you joyfully while wishing you a Happy Birthday. During your time in his office he would really make you feel special, by entertaining you with his stories, telling you about the latest book that he was reading, asking you about your crush (I had a feeling that he knew everybody’s crush in the school) and generally make you laugh. In the end, he would ask you to choose a stampita (small card with a picture of a saint and some prayer on the back) to take with you as his gift for you. Usually he would lay out the one named after you or the Saint who had the feast day on your birthday. He would also tell you a little something about each Saint so as to help you decide (I stood in awe at his depth of knowledge on the saints) Of course if you couldn’t settle on one he would usually open up a drawer full of stampita’s to add to the existing deck. Then if you were really stuck on your decision he would give you all that he had laid out.
I don’t know if 1985 was the year he first came to our school to act as our Director, but if it was that time then that would mean that for almost 7 years he made me feel special on my birthday.
Brother Felix was also a regular figure standing out of his office during our Lunch and Recess breaks. He would greet all those who came from the canteen on their way back to their classrooms. To do that day in and day out everyday is truly remarkable for a man. It wasn’t uncommon also to see his office full of kids during the recess and lunch breaks because of his character. This man truly loved his work and the children around him.
To think that everyday he also had to traverse the long stretch of the South Super Highway just to get to our school in Alabang from Taft. That alone is but a small example of his willingness to serve.
As a parent and as somebody who finds immense joy on the affection that my son showers me, I’ve come to realize that Brother Felix might have lived a life of celibacy and service, but he died rich in the love of the children who’s lives he touched. I have to say that that is more than some parents who have sired a dozen kids will ever receive.
I Believe without a doubt that he was Blessed by the Lord, because if God had not wanted him to continue with his life’s work, then he would have allowed him to perish along with his fellow La Salle Brothers during the Japanese retreat of World War II. (Bro. Felix survived because he was interned with his fellow Americans)
So Long Brother Felix. Your short stay here on this earth was but like a pebble thrown in a pond, where once stagnant water stood calm, soon rippled and radiated outward affecting countless millions. Truly you will be missed by us lucky enough to have been rippled by your pebble.
[source]Brother Felix began his association with the De La Salle Christian Brothers as a freshman in the Juniorate at Mont La Salle, the high school for young men interested in becoming a Brother. He entered the Novitiate on June 8, 1937, and received the habit of the Brothers of the Christian Schools on August 14, 1937. In October, 1938, at his request and in response to an appeal for volunteers, he was assigned as a missionary to the Philippine Islands, which was the responsibility of the District of San Francisco at that time. His first assignment was to teach in the Grade School at De La Salle University in Manila. This began his commitment to the Filipino people and, except for about 8 years, he spent his entire life as a Brother and an educator in service to his students in the Philippines. Brother did return to the United States to obtain his B.A. from St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA, in 1947. During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during the Second World War, he was in a concentration camp in Baguio, PI, where he received his final vows on April 23, 1944. In the Philippines, Brother Felix served as a teacher and counselor in various grade schools and high schools. He also served as principal at four different elementary and high schools. His last position was “Campus Animator” at the University of St. La Salle, Bacolod, PI. He was truly loved by his students and his Brothers…In November 2006 he returned to the San Francisco District and the Holy Family Community at Mont La Salle, Napa, CA, after 62 years of service in the Philippines. [source]
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