He continued by reminding worshippers of the importance of giving meaningful time not only to faith but also to the people closest to them.

“The quality time we give to God, to our brothers and sisters, to our husbands, wives, children, and family – that time is the best spent.”

Those words took on an especially painful meaning only moments later.

As the service continued, the large crucifix behind him detached from its position and crashed down onto the altar area where he was standing.

The horrifying moment unfolded so suddenly that worshippers had little time to react.

What had begun as an ordinary religious service became a tragedy in seconds.

The reflection Father Patricio had just shared about death and spending time wisely was later widely remembered because of how closely it preceded his own death. Ecuadorian newspaper *El Universo* reported on the message from what became his final Mass.

Police initially treated the death as an accident caused by the impact of the falling object.

However, members of Father Patricio’s family later called for a deeper investigation into exactly how the heavy crucifix became detached.

His relatives wanted answers about whether the structure had been properly secured and whether maintenance or another preventable issue may have contributed to the tragedy.

One relative, Patricio León, publicly called for the circumstances surrounding the death to be investigated.

The Archdiocese of Guayaquil subsequently said it was awaiting a technical report concerning the crucifix and the circumstances that led to it falling. Church officials also said parishes receive technical assistance with maintenance, while the investigation into what happened continued.

Yet another detail has made the priest’s final days even more poignant.

On October 16 — just one day before his death — the Archdiocese of Guayaquil had publicly recognized another anniversary of Father Patricio’s priestly ordination.

The following night, he would celebrate his final Mass.

The timing has been especially painful for those who knew him.

A milestone marking his years of service to the Church was followed, less than 24 hours later, by his sudden death inside the parish he led.

The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer and the Archdiocese later organized a memorial Mass at the same church where the tragedy occurred.

Father Patricio’s remains were taken to Cuenca, where family members and loved ones gathered to say goodbye.

His death has left his relatives grieving while also seeking clearer answers about how such an enormous crucifix could have fallen during a service.

For the parishioners who witnessed his final Mass, however, his last message may remain equally unforgettable.

Only moments before his death, Father Patricio reminded those listening that careers, possessions, responsibilities and everyday worries can consume enormous amounts of time.

What matters most, he suggested, is the time given to faith and to the people we love.

No one inside the church could have known how soon those words would become his final lesson.

One day before his death, Father Patricio Sánchez Molinari was celebrating another anniversary of his life as a priest.

The following evening, he stood before his congregation speaking about mortality, God and family.

Moments later, he was gone.

Now, while his loved ones continue seeking answers about the accident, the message from his final Mass has become part of the legacy he left behind.

May he rest in peace.