On December 6, 2023 Francisco Rico-Martínez, co-founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre received the Guthrie Award posthumously from the Law Foundation of Ontario. His wife, Loly Rico, co-founder of the FCJ Refugee Centre accepted the award on his behalf.
Our Lady’s Missionaries have been aware of and impressed by the work of the FCJ Refugee Centre for many years.
One of my memories of Francisco is of attending a December meeting in which discussion included plans for a Christmas party and distributing Christmas gifts. Looking over at Francisco, I suddenly thought…. “I’m in a meeting with Santa Claus!” And indeed, it was a long tradition at the Centre for Francisco to dress up as Santa. He really looked the part!
But he not only looked the part, he lived the part…. continuously giving of himself, alongside his family and the FCJ Refugee Centre Family to look out for all refugees with a special place in their hearts for women and children.
And indeed, he received the Guthrie Award on December 6 – the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas, Patron of Children.
Here’s a link to learn more about the evening and the FCJ Refugee Centre: https://www.fcjrefugeecentre.org/2023/12/a-community-builder-francisco-rico-martinez-receives-posthumous-guthrie-award-in-a-night-to-remember/
By Christine Gebel, OLM
Our Lady's Missionaries 