The Passing of Father Eduardo Rodriguez, OCSO.

Father Eduardo Rodriguez, OCSO, a monk at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 24, at the monastery infirmary in the company of his brothers—a monk of 61 years and a priest of 54 years. Father Eduardo was 93 years old when the Lord called him.

The celebration of the Funeral Mass of the Resurrection and the burial took place on Thursday, October 26, at 9:00 AM at the monastery church.

Eduardo Rodríguez Fonseca was born November 23, 1929 in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica. He graduated from the University of Costa Rica with a degree in Economics. He worked as an economist for a few years in Costa Rica before answering the call to Religious Life. He entered the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits, in 1952. While with the Jesuits, Fr. Eduardo received his Philosophy Licentiate (license in philosophy) from the Colegio San Gregory of Quito (Ecuador). He continued his studies at the Colegio San Feo in Spain. He was with the Jesuits for ten years.

With permission from the Jesuit Order, Father Eduardo joined the Trappists here in Conyers in 1962, made solemn vows in 1965, and was ordained to the priesthood on May 20, 1969. He served this monastic community in many posts, including bonsai artist, confessor, teacher, and sacristan. He greatly loved Bernard of Clairvaux and taught many novices over the years. Father Eduardo was a true artist and expressed his art in various mediums, including the living art of bonsai, sand casting, drawings, sketches, and calligraphy, and he loved to sing.

Fr. Eduardo is the youngest of ten children. One of his sisters entered religious life - Sister Mary of the Ascension, with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd serving in Venezuela. He is preceded in death by eight of his siblings. He is survived by the last remaining sibling, his sister Marta Rodriguez de Arce of Santo Domingo, Costa Rica, who is 98 years old. Father Eduardo was a loving uncle to 13 nephews and 16 nieces.

Condolences and memorial offerings may be sent in Fr. Eduardo's memory to:

Abbot Augustine Myslinski
The Monastery of the Holy Spirit
2625 Highway 212 SW
Conyers, GA 30094

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.  John 3:16