“ONE DAY, WE WILL ALL DIE TOO” — PRIEST’S HAUNTING WORDS BEFORE FATAL CRUCIFIX ACCIDENT LEAVE COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari was speaking about faith, family and the preciousness of time when he uttered words that would soon take on heartbreaking significance. Minutes later, a massive wooden crucifix fell on him during a livestreamed Mass in Ecuador. He was 53.

A Catholic community in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is mourning the sudden dєatᩚh of a beloved priest after a large wooden crucifix fell from behind the altar and struck him during a Mass broadcast live on social media.

Father Patricio Alfredo Sánchez Molinari died on October 17, 2026, while celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

But it was a message he had delivered shortly before the tᩚraɢedy that has stayed with many people who have since learned of his dєatᩚh.

“One day, all of us here will also die,” he told the congregation, reflecting on the importance of dedicating time to God and to the people who matter most.

He could not have known how painfully those words would resonate just moments later.

A MASS THAT ENDED IN tᩚraɢedy

Father Patricio was standing behind the altar, facing the congregation, when the large crucifix mounted on the wall behind him suddenly tipped forward and fell.

The incident was captured in the livestream.

As the heavy structure struck the priest, he collapsed out of view. Horrified worshippers immediately rushed to help, while cries for an ambulance could be heard.

Despite the efforts to obtain medical assistance, Father Patricio died shortly after being struck.

News of his dєatᩚh spread rapidly, leaving parishioners, fellow clergy and members of the wider Catholic community struggling to comprehend how a routine religious service could end in such devastating circumstances.

 THE MESSAGE THAT TOOK ON A NEW MEANING

In his homily, Father Patricio had been encouraging worshippers to reflect on how they spend their time.

He reminded them that faith, relationships and family deserve attention above the distractions of everyday life.

His message included a reflection on how the time people dedicate to God, their spouses, children and loved ones can be among the most meaningful moments of their lives.

After his dєatᩚh, those words took on a painful significance for people who watched the broadcast or later learned what had happened.

For many parishioners, his final message became a reminder to cherish the people they love and never take ordinary moments together for granted.

Father Patricio was a member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, also known as the Redemptorists, a Catholic religious order devoted to missionary work and pastoral service. He had also served in the Ecuadorian town of Vinces before becoming parish priest in Guayaquil. <Cite refs={[“turn731526search2″,”turn731526search3”]}/>

 A PRIEST REMEMBERED FOR SERVING HIS COMMUNITY

Father Patricio’s dєatᩚh was mourned by the Archdiocese of Guayaquil, which expressed condolences to his family, fellow Redemptorists and friends.

He had served a community where the church offered more than a place of worship. His pastoral work included supporting vulnerable residents and promoting activities intended to help children and young people.

For the people who came to him for prayer, guidance and comfort, his sudden absence has left a painful void.

A memorial Mass was celebrated at his church on October 18. His funeral was subsequently held in his hometown of Cuenca, where loved ones and members of the religious community gathered to say goodbye.

 WHAT CAUSED THE CRUCIFIX TO FALL?

Amid the grief, one question remains unanswered: why did the enormous wooden crucifix detach from the wall?

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil has said it is awaiting a technical report to establish what caused the structure to fall.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the structure’s installation and maintenance. Until the findings are released, it would be premature to attribute the accident to a specific failure or to conclude that anyone was responsible.

The footage shows the crucifix falling, but it cannot by itself establish why the mounting failed.

For Father Patricio’s loved ones and the congregation who witnessed the tᩚraɢedy, the investigation may help provide a clearer understanding of how such an accident occurred.

 A FAMILY AND COMMUNITY WAITING FOR ANSWERS

The loss of Father Patricio has left his family, fellow priests and parishioners grieving a man whose life was devoted to faith and service.

His final homily continues to echo through the story of his dєatᩚh: a reminder that time with loved ones is precious and that no one knows how much of it they have.

As the technical investigation continues, the community is left with memories of his ministry, his words and the unexpected tᩚraɢedy that ended his life.

May Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari rest in eternal peace. May his family, fellow clergy and parishioners find comfort in their faith, strength in one another and, in time, answers about the accident that took him from them. 🤍🕊️