On Saturday, January 25, Fr. Bonifaci Fortuny Feliu died in Lleida, at the age of 92 and 68 years of priestly ministry.

Since 2003, when the Association of Friends of the Path of Pallerols from Rialb to Andorra began its activities in Pallerols, he has never stopped being by our side, encouraging us in all our work. He always attended the Feast of the Meeting of the Rose, which we celebrate every year around November 22.

A priest in love with his land and his parishioners, he always ensured unity among all; optimistic, persevering, charitable, much loved by all who knew him.

The funeral Mass took place on January 27, in the church of Sta. Maria de Ponts, presided over by Archbishop Joan-Enric and concelebrated by the Vicars General and a good group of priests, including the Rector and former Rector of Ponts, Mn. Pere Jesús Morales and Mn. Jaume Mayoral, respectively. His nephews, his sister-in-law and many faithful from the parishes where he had served throughout his priestly ministry attended.

The Archbishop, commenting on the readings from the Word of God proclaimed, highlighted the gift that a priest is for every faithful as has been the long ministerial life of Mn. Bonifaci Fortuny. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the good Shepherd, the only good Shepherd, who takes care of all, through the priests and deacons who represent him sacramentally and make him humbly present through their ordination.

He highlighted how Mn. Bonifaci throughout his life had responded generously to the call that the Lord made to him at every moment. He wanted to emphasize how the different realities and communities that he served were present at his funeral Mass and showed that his apostolic work had borne fruit through the Holy Spirit: Friends of St. Pere de Ponts, friends of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Gualter, Pontsican Choir, the Brotherhood of Jesus Master, many people from the Barony of Rialb, etc.

At the beginning of the celebration, as is customary in the Diocese, a brief pastoral journey of the life of Monk Bonifaci was read, which is attached:

Monk Bonifaci FORTUNY i FELIU was born in Tremp (Pallars Jussà) on May 26, 1932 and studied Philosophy and Theology at the Diocesan Seminary of Urgell. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1956.

He began his priesthood as parochial vicar of Puigcerdà and three years later, in 1959, as vicar of Balaguer. In 1961, the Bishop appointed him Bursar of Tuixén and Incharge of Josa, to which the parishes of Adraén and Fórnols would later be added.

In 1965, he was appointed Bursar of Noves de Segre and Incharge of Berén, and later, in 1967, of Taús, la Guàrdia d’Ares and Espaén.

In 1968, the Bishop appointed him Bursar of Claravalls and Incharge of Altet and Sta. Maria de Montmagastrell, towns that he served pastorally for 5 years, until in 1973 he was entrusted with being Bursar of Oliana, la Valldan and Les Anoves, becoming the Archpriest of Oliana-Organyà in 1985. In 1986, he was added to the appointments of the neighboring parishes of Peramola, Tragó, Cortiuda and Aguilar.

In 1989 he was appointed Rector of Ponts and of the neighboring towns of the Barony of Rialb: Gualter, Bellfort, Palau de Rialb, La Torre de Rialb and El Tossal, where he served 18 years as Rector until in 2007, when he turned 75, he became a priest attached to the Parish of Ponts.

In 1998 he was also appointed Rector of Tiurana and in 2000 Rector of the new parish of Tiurana-Solers, a town rebuilt around the hermitage of Solers and which resurfaced after the construction of the Rialb reservoir which flooded the old town, and which Monsignor Bonifaci always loved very much. From 2003 to 2005 he was entrusted with Seró and Tudela, and in 2006 he was appointed Rector of Cabanabona, Bellfort, Puig de Rialb, La Torre de Rialb, Palau de Rialb, Pallerols de Rialb, Tiurana-Solers, Vilaplana and Gualter, where he worked tirelessly for the recovery of the Monastery of Santa Maria and paid for its altar, upon retiring in 2007.

Throughout the years in which he was Rector of Ponts, he exercised various diocesan responsibilities such as Archpriest of Urgell Mitjà, Ribera del Segre, Ribera del Sió and La Segarra; Diocesan Delegate for Pastoral Care of the Road; member of the Presbytery Council and member of the College of Consultors.

In recent years, his health has weakened, he has established his residence in Balaguer where he has been closely attended to by Mrs. Montserrat Aguilà. Rest in peace!