Dean Brackley, SJ, RIP

On behalf of the documentary feature, Return to El Salvador, we mourn the loss inspiring teacher, who through words and  action moved us to understand how we could accompany and support the people of El Salvador. Thank you Dean. ~jamie moffett - Director/ Producer

A priest who walked the talk with heroic love.

Here's an image of him as he prepares to enter the chapel at the UCA to celebrate mass on a windless, rainy afternoon during the second week of July, 2008. http://www.flickr.com/photos/logostoni/5252834924/in/set-72157625452707537/

Rest in peace, Fr Dean.

My husband, son and daughter met Father Brackley at the Universidad Centroamericano while my son was a student at Casa de la Solidaridad, a program that Father Brackley co-founded in El Salvador. Although I never got the chance to meet him, our entire family has been influenced by his wisdom, courage, and vision. I am deeply moved by his life of service to others and courageous truth-telling. He was, in the words of today's gospel reading from Luke, a man ''rich in what matters to God.''  My heart and prayers go out to his friends around the world, but especially those in El Salvador. May Father Brackley's love for them be an enduring inspiration in their struggle for justice and peace.

I met Father Dean Brackley via our Pastor Neil Connolly of Saint Mary Caholic Church in lower Manhattan, NYC. Father Brackley impacted my life as a Disciple of Social Justice!
His teachings will always be with us! Amen.

If you’d like to have more of a sense of who Dean Brackley was, he’s featured in a documentary about El Salvador called “Enemies of War.” You can get it from New Day Films (www.newday.com) or Third World Newsreel (www.twn.org)   

Yesterday, my country El Salvador lost an apostle. Fr. Dean Brackley, S.J. R.I.P.
While many Salvadoreans, left our beloved country looking for a safe future, Fr. Dean Brackley, Padre Dino, went to El Salvador to work with the poor in their communities. He was an optimistic who saw El Salvador with the eyes of love and positivism. He worked hard to maitain alive the memories of the Jesuits assassinated in El Salvador. My family and I pay tribute to and reserve a special place in our hearts for Fr. Dean Brackley, a modern saint, a friend, a proud SALVADOREAN. He will live forever in our hearts!

Here’s a link to “A Testimony of Gratitude,” tape recorded by Dean Brackley shortly before his death:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSHEhpbRVdA