He was “Johnny” to his family. He was a gold standard athlete in the days of his youth. He was a team captain of the Bronx-Manhattan PAL Junion basketball champions. He was a heart-throb baseball player. He was a dashing young gentleman when he entered the Society of Jesus. That was John Chambers before he entered the Society of Jesus in 1951.

As a Jesuit, Fr John Chambers had several loves in life.

First, John loved his students. The students he taught at the Ateneo de San Pablo, Ateneo de

Manila University, Loyola College of Culion, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University, he loved them all. He personally related with them. He touched their lives deeply.

He was always available for students: confessions, small talks, Masses, counseling and so on. During recess time, one would notice him standing, smiling and interacting with students. One student, after learning the death of John, exclaimed: “The Ateneo de Zamboanga University lost 40% of its character.” Now I’m wondering how we can survive with what is left.

Here are some real testimonies I found in the blogs of his students.

One student wrote: “Fr Chambers is the High School Chaplain of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. He is an American Jesuit…. I think missionary? But I think he’s a naturalized citizen ‘cause I see him put his hand on his chest when Lupang Hinirang is being played. Either way, he loves the Philippines.”

“I was so happy when I discovered he was going to be my teacher for Religion for third year…. All he does is he keeps on telling you stories about everyday life and everyday instances where you can find God…. Making Religion (class) easy and understandable was a great way of letting us experience our faith…. You don’t need to worry about grades that much. All you had to do was listen and participate. I loved the class.”

Another student wrote: “I have this self-esteem problem and everytime I confided myself to Fr. Chambers he would always tell me ‘You are gold’ and everything felt so much better…. During the high school graduation ceremony, Father saw me and asked for a copy of the picture that we had during my pin and ring (ceremony) so I told him jokingly that I won’t give him because he’ll just throw it away just like what he did to the card I gave him on his birthday…. So, he told me that this time he will bring our picture with him wherever he goes, that he would keep it inside his pocket.” She gave out the picture. “Days after, I met Fr Chambers outside the Finance Office and he smiled at me widely from a distance… and took a small notebook out of his pocket and kissed it. That was a bit odd. Fr Chambers kissing a notebook??? So I approached him and he showed me his small notebook with our picture in it. Oh, I was so embarrassed. There were a lot of students. I escaped Fr Chambers right away. That same day, I was standing outside the Assistant Senior Dean’s Office and I saw Father walking toward my way. Too embarrassed that he’d kiss our picture again, I tried to hide myself… too bad he saw me, blushing. He asked: ‘Are you hiding?’ ‘No Father I was getting something’ (now looking so guilty). ‘Don’t worry just once a day. Once a day.’ Fr. Chambers, you’ll forever hold a special place in my heart. I’ll miss you. I am GOLD.”

A former faculty member of AdZU high school emailed me yesterday: “….aside from being my teaching mentor, Fr John was also my spiritual director during my year of discernment…. I almost did not enter (the Society). But Fr. John, who knows me well, was the greatest believer that I am called in this Jesuit life.” This former faculty member of AdZU finally entered the Society in 2005 and pronounced his First Vows last May.

Second, John loved life and laughter. People have often asked him: “what is the tubao on your left shoulder?” To that question, his response was: “I’m celebrating Life. Isn’t Life worth celebrating?” His laughter was infectious. One member of our community remarked: “John was lighthearted.” He had a way of making us laugh when we were so serious about life, although I must admit that sometimes he was the only one laughing at his jokes. He had a way of initiating a conversation when no one else was talking. He had a way of laughing at himself – one that certainly made him go through life with a fair amount of humor. He liked to share this story:

"Dario Saniel SJ was ordained in 1994. His first assignment was the Culion Leper Colony. He tells this story: ‘when my friends heard that I was assigned to Culion, they sympathized with me, saying, Oh you will be with the lepers! When my fellow Jesuits heard about my assignment, they too sympathized with me, saying, Oh you’ll be with John Chambers!’”

John had his way of doing things, no doubt. In a positive sense, he was resolute in many respects, although he can be unbending in his ways at times. Once he has made up his decision, it was difficult to change it.

Third, John loved preaching. Once I asked the late Fr John Moran SJ: “Who is your favorite preacher?” Without batting an eyelash he said: “John Chambers.” Even if some of his jokes with matching theatrical and facial expressions were repeated, often they were still a smashing hit. His homilies were simple, clear and often they led people to encounter the Lord. One need not agree with him at times, but he delivered his points in clear and simple terms.

John prepared and wrote his homilies ahead of time. He had a flair for writing as you can see in his books. At one time in Zamboanga City it was John’s assignment to take the Carmelite Convent Masses for a week. He told the Sisters at the beginning of his homily. “A few days ago, Bishop Freddie Escaler was around. He wanted to take my Monday Mass, and I agreed. The following day, Fr Jun Viray, who was leaving Zamboanga for good, asked me if he could take my Tuesday Mass at Carmel. I reluctantly agreed. After that day, Fr Bill Kreutz, again he was about to leave Zamboanga for good, asked me if he could take his Wednesday Mass. Again, with some reluctance, I agreed knowing that these people wanted to bid goodbye to the Carmelite Sisters. Yesterday, Fr Tony Moreno, our new President, would like to take this Mass. I said: ‘No, I want to take this Mass and give the homily’.”

Fourth, John loved the Society and the Church. He loved the company of his brother Jesuits. He was certainly a community man. He took care of me in Culion in 1993-94 when I was a baby priest, although I must say we had a Spartan way of life. Back in Culion he told me that he missed the company of his brothers. Culion was (and perhaps still is) an isolated island. During our time together, there was no internet, no texting, no cell phone. Once a week there was newspaper, and since it had to be shipped from Manila, it was one week delayed. By the time it reached Culion, we knew more or less the news through the radio. He loved to serve the people in Culion. He was always available for them. Despite two hours of riding on a banca (motored launch) to go to a destino (a far-flung chapel), he never complained, although he would remind people to be on time – one of his persistent never-ending crusades. He loved to be with people in basic education, in Culion, in the charismatic movement, and in parishes. Several people from Zamboanga would have wanted to attend his funeral, but flights are difficult to get at this point.

Finally, John loved Christ. He was truly Christ-centered. The title of his Sunday reflections published as books for lay people is: “With Eyes Fixed on Jesus.” In his homilies, there was always this constant reference to Christ being the center of our lives. Today, on this feast of the holy innocents, it seems fitting that we send off a man who in some sense was childlike. He had a free child in him. He liked sweets. He loved ice-cream and pastries. Playful, cheerful, smiling, jester, jolly - these are some words that one can use to describe his childlikeness.

Months ago, he asked a student to make a caricature of him. He liked it. In fact, he told people us that he wanted it to be his stampita after his death. This is typically John: his tubao on his left shoulder (his love for life, and for people especially his students and parishioners), big cross on his chest (his Christ-centered spirituality and his love for the Society and the Church), and his wagging finger (his love for preaching).

John expired shortly before Christmas midnight. At the moment of the birth of Jesus, it was also his birth to new life. With grateful hearts we thank the Lord for giving us John Chambers – a man of great loves. John has constantly reminded us to celebrate life, all the more must we celebrate his birth to a new life.

                                                                      Antonio F Moreno SJ
                                                                      28 December 2007