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Today June 20, 2019, it has been 18 years that Martin Royackers, S.J patron of Service Yezu Mwiza clinic was murdered. On this occasion, we will review his biography and the choice of SYM as patron of its clinic.

Fr. Martins Royackers, SJ was born into a farming family in Parkhill in southwestern Ontario, Canada on November 14, 1959. He recognized his vocation to religious life before he finished primary school and asked for entry to Regina Mundi College where he did brilliant studies. After the discernment and the ripening of his vocation, he asked for an entrance in the company of Jesus. He was admitted to the Guelph novitiate in 1978. After his ordination, he spent six years working on the University of Guelph farm.
The 41-year-old Jesuit was murdered on 20 June 2001 in front of the church in Annotto, Jamaica, with a close-range shot.

What characterized Martin Royackers, S.J?

In 1994, Father Martin Royackers, S.J flew to Jamaica where he ministered St. Therese in Annotto Bay but also in charge of parishes in Tinsbury including May River, Islington, Pleasant Hill and Long Loads. At the same time, he was piloting St. Mary's Development Rural Project, in which he brought together in a cooperative all the local farmers who subsequently managed to increase their production, develop it and become financially independent.
He also worked to educate and promote the education of the youth, he made the sufferings of the local population his own, and he gave voice to the voiceless by fighting for social justice as taught in the Holy Scriptures.
He turned his truck into an ambulance to evacuate the poorest to the place of care but also, it was used to evacuate unaccompanied deaths at their last home.

Why did Service Yezu Mwiza choose him as the Patron of its clinic?

The noble reason that drove SYM to take him as patron of its clinic was to pay tribute to this Jesuit who is very committed to compassion for the poor and the struggle for social justice that are part of SYM values, but also to is the family of Martin Royackers who funded part of the construction of this clinic.