Fr David Strong SJ, The Australian dictionary of Jesuit biography 1848-2015, Second Edition, 2017, post-publication supplement:
Carracedo, Manuel

Spanish migrant chaplain; Born Villalis (Leon), Spain, 6 February 1932; died Sydney, 15 October 2023, aged 91.

Manuel Carracedo was the last of the Jesuit migrant chaplains, except for the Polish chaplains, that came to Australia after the Second World War. He spent most of his apostolic life in Sydney ministering to the Spanish community.

Carracedo was one of four siblings who joined religious life: two sisters of the Holy Family Congregation (Felisa and Vitorina) and two members of the Society of Jesus (Jose Maria and Manuel). His remaining brother, Justo, married and had a family.

He entered the Society at Salamanca (Province of Legion) 4 June 1947, which was followed by juniorate studies, 1949-52, and philosophy at Ona (Burgos), 1953-56. Regency was at the Collegio S Francisco Javior, La Guardia (Ponteversal), 1956-59, followed by theology, 1959-63 at the Univerdidad de Comillas (Santander). He was ordained, 16 July 1962, at Ona.

Missioned to the Universidad Laboral de Gijon, Asturias, in 1963 until 1978, he worked as chaplain, counsellor and religion teacher. During those years he also did tertianship at St Robert Belarmin, Wepion (Namur), Belgium, 1965-66, and completed a pastoral course at Lumen Vitae Institute, Brussels, 1968-69.

He arrived in Sydney, July 1978, appointed chaplain to Spanish-speaking community from Spain, Central and South America and the Philippines in the Archdiocese of Sydney, helping them to adjust to life in a foreign country and devoted himself to corporal and spiritual works of mercy. He formed devoted lay people through cursillos and retreats, helping them to maintain their Catholic practices. He lived first at Lavender Bay and then at the North Sydney parish until 2014. During that time, he transcribed to the Australian province on 5 December 2007.

As his health deteriorated, he moved to Our Lady of Consolation House, St Helen's Section, Rooty Hill, from 2014-2023, being a member of the Jesuit parish community at Emerton, NSW. When well, he was a regular visitor at community gatherings. The community found him a genial companion.

In his funeral eulogy, his nephew, Juan Carracedo, spoke about Manuel, in loving terms. Though separated by a long distance, he remained close to his family in Spain, through letters in early years, and telephone calls in latter ones. He was the last of his siblings to go to God and summarised his life as 'a good person. He was a good man'.

In a second eulogy, Lidia Serrano, of the Spanish community, spoke of the love the community had for Carracedo, and expressed their sorrow at his departing. She expressed his closeness to the community, through presence, prayer, teachings and support. To the community, he expressed his loving relationship to Jesus in a poem entitled 'Your faithful dog': a faithful follower, leading him sometimes reluctantly to difficult situations, but ever humble in service, trusting in His guidance, and ever happy to be His 'faithful dog'.

(Reproduced by permission of Fr David Strong SJ.)