EPD, Rev. José Luis Sáez, S.J.

With gratitude for so much life given, we bid farewell to Fr. José Luis Sáez, S.J., who departed to the House of the Father on May 6, 2026. Former students, Jesuit companions, and collaborators in teaching and journalism gathered at the Manresa Loyola Retreat House in Santo Domingo to offer their final farewell to the Spanish-Dominican Jesuit, who dedicated more than five decades of his life to the priesthood and academic studies in the Dominican Republic. 

P. Sáez is the author of numerous books on Dominican history, film criticism, journalism, and Church history. He was a professor of Cultural History for 15 years at the Santo Tomás de Aquino Seminary, of cinematic appreciation at UASD, and was part of the international jury at the Venice Film Festival (1983) and San Sebastián Film Festival (1987). In parallel, dozens of students from various generations received his spiritual and educational guidance in the Dominican Republic.   

In 1999 he was elected a full member of the Dominican Academy of History. In the same year, President Leonel Fernández awarded him the Order of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella in the rank of Knight. Likewise, the Santo Domingo International Book Fair was dedicated to him in 2011. Among his most notable recognitions are the Caonabo de Oro Award in recognition of his journalistic work in the country and the Coat of Arms Order of Christopher Columbus in the rank of Commander. Added to his work as a teacher, researcher, and writer is his priestly ministry, which he exercised even during the most difficult moments of his illness. Until a few months before his death, he was collaborating as Director of the Historical Archives of the Archdiocese of Santo Domingo. 

Her funeral rites were held on the morning of Friday, May 8, 2026, following a requiem Mass, offered for the repose of her soul and in thanksgiving for her life consecrated to service and mission. Her remains rest near those of her father, Mr. Joaquín Sáez Calle, in the Cemetery of the Society of Jesus, located in Manresa Loyola itself.  

In his farewell remarks, the Provincial's delegate for the Dominican section of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Jorge William Hernández, S.J., recalled the life of Fr. Sáez, characterized by the pursuit of truth, intellectual honesty, and humility. Likewise, his former students shared anecdotes that revealed his sensitivity towards art and knowledge.  

We thank God for his dedication to the Kingdom, education, and social research. With him, the Society of Jesus loses a passionate scholar of the Order's own history, who vigilantly and with great apostolic zeal ensured that every fragment of the Jesuit imprint in the Caribbean was preserved and valued.