What happened
The story behind the coin.
Father Patricio was celebrating Mass at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on Saturday, 17 October 2026. A crucifix in the sanctuary fell and struck him. The Archdiocese of Guayaquil confirmed his death. He was 52.
Many people first saw the clip without knowing his name. Father Patricio was a Redemptorist priest who had served communities in Loja, Durán, Vinces, Manta and Guayaquil. In Vinces, he visited rural communities that were hard to reach. The Redemptorists remember him as a calm, approachable man who was close to young people and cared for the sick.
We have left the accident footage off this page. The accounts below tell the story and give more space to the years he spent with his communities.