The international Catholic organization Missionary Families of Christ announced the death of its founder, Bro. Francisco “Frank” Padilla, who died on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24. He was 79.
“Today on December 24, a day before the birth of our Lord, Frank Padilla, father, missionary, and servant, has passed,” the group said on social media.
The organization did not provide further details about the cause of death.
MFC said Padilla “lived a long and storied life,” which included founding Missionary Families of Christ, where he served as its first servant general, as well as the Live Christ Share Christ Mission.
“Despite being a quiet and reserved man, he was called by God to proclaim loudly the Good News, and ever since he said yes there was no turning back,” the group said.
“This was because he believed, in his heart, that there could be no greater mission than to live a life for Christ,’ it added.
MFC, formerly known as Couples for Christ Foundation for Family and Life (CFC FFL), thanked Padilla for his love for Jesus, saying it “set our hearts on fire as well.”
Padilla was a founding member of Couples for Christ, established in 1981.
An internal leadership crisis in 2007 led to a separation within the movement and the formation of a new community, the CFC FFL, which Padilla founded.
In 2019, the CFC FFL changed its name to Missionary Families of Christ to better reflect its mission of family renewal and evangelization.
Padilla is survived by his wife, Geraldine, and their five children.
His wake will be held from Dec. 26 to 28 at Alpaca Chapel in Alpadi Estate along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City. His funeral Mass and inurnment will be held Dec. 29 at the Santuario de San Antonio in Makati City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missionary Families of Christ Foundation Inc.
