Easiest Eulogy Ever

Appreciating the pastoral ministry of Fr. Samy at I.C.

05/24/2025

You have heard by now how our beloved Fr. Samy will be leaving us to be made pastor of Our Lady of Fatima in Benton on June 18. Our new associate will be Fr. Savio Arokia, who also hails from the same Diocese of Nellore in India. Since this will be the last weekend for Fr. Samy here at Immaculate Conception, I want to deliver a eulogy for him, not because he’s dying, but just because he’s departing. And by the way, this will be easiest eulogy ever.

Have you ever heard of the popular book The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman? I read it many years ago and it provides 5 languages to express love and to feel loved by others. Dr. Chapman explains that people have one, and sometimes two love languages, that is, a primary and secondary language, like I speak English primarily and Spanish secondarily, and also less fluently.

Well, I would suggest to you that Fr. Samy is one of those rare individuals who has mastered speaking all five love languages. Even though Fr. Samy’s English is not perfect and heavily-accented, he speaks at least 5 other languages fluently, and everyone who meets him hears and understands him beautifully. And speaking the language of love is what matters.

As St. Paul said to the Corinthians: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clashing symbol” (1 Co 13:1). See if you can recall occasions when you heard Fr. Samy speaking the following five love languages. And I will give you examples from my own interaction with Fr. Samy in the past 10 months.

The first language: words of affirmation. Fr. Samy never misses a chance to say thank you, and often ends his texts to me with: “I appreciate you, Fr. John.” Once when I asked how a Monday morning Mass went, he answered: “Well, there were so many people because they expected to see Fr. John, but only got me.” Those are humble words of affirmation that Fr. Samy speaks fluently.

The second language is gift-giving. Do you know that Fr. Samy loves to cook Indian food? He would often apologize for the strong aromas wafting from the kitchen while he was cooking, but I felt like I was a teenager back home. Spontaneously, he would prepare some food, or bring food back from a house blessing, take a picture of it, and text it to me saying: “Fr. John, there’s a little snack in the kitchen for you after Mass.”

Fr. Samy traveled to India while he was here back in October, and he never returns from a trip empty handed. He was like the three Magi from the east bringing back dromedaries and camels loaded with precious gifts for the church staff. Fr. Samy speaks the language of gift-giving flawlessly.

The third language is acts of service. One of the most impressive things about Fr. Samy is that he is not allergic to work. And therefore, performing acts of service never feel like a burden to him but only a blessing. He frequently hears confessions even when he’s not scheduled, and takes my Monday Mass on his day off because he sees my schedule is full. Acts of service is yet another language Fr. Samy has mastered.

And fifth is the love language of physical touch. As you know the sacraments involve physical touch – anointings, laying on of hands, tasting bread and wine, marital intimacy, etc. The body is so essential to who we are as human beings that Jesus became a body to save us and to be able to touch us.

I believe everyone who has shaken Fr. Samy’s hand or gotten a warm hug has felt the love of Jesus, the Word made Flesh, through him. Isn’t that the ultimate purpose of priestly ministry: to feel Jesus’ love incarnated in a human instrument, an “alter Christus” (another Christ)?

Fr. Samy is celebrating all the English Masses this weekend and I hope you will take a moment to say thank you to him. He is a remarkable, holy, humble, and joyful priest. And if you count correctly, he can speak 8 languages: English, Spanish, Indian, plus five love languages. And only the love languages will finally matter.

Praised be Jesus Christ!