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This week, funerals are being held for three numeraries of Opus Dei who died in a tragic accident at Rattlesnake Falls, California. Two men sacrificed their lives in an attempt to save their friend – a heroic death that seemed an extension of a heroic life lived as numeraries, people who dedicate their lives in celibacy to the Opus Dei (Latin for “Work of God”).
“I would not want to be in God’s shoes right now!” Father Luke Mata said in his funeral homily this week for Valentino “Val” Creus, a 59-year-old who worked as an accountant. Val was known for his amazing negotiating skills when purchasing a car, Fr. Mata shared. Now, he said, Val can be an intercessor for the people he left behind:
“Val will be just as tough and relentless in getting from our Father God whatever we need; just ask Val for it.”
Val, along with Matt Anthony (44), and Matthew Schoenecker (50), were taking part in an annual course – several weeks set aside to grow in their vocation – when they died on June 18, 2025.
A renewal of vocation that led to sacrifice
Pete Bancroft was on the annual course that week with Creus, Schoenecker, and Anthony and explains that the annual course “involves taking a class on theology or philosophy, and other spiritual formation aimed at helping us to live out our vocation better."
"The chance to deepen our friendships is also an important part of the course; we get to know each other well and there's a real family atmosphere when we get together," he said.
As part of their fellowship, six of the numeraries took time away from their studies to go on a hike to Rattlesnake Falls. They stopped for lunch on a ledge overlooking the water, and two men jumped in to enjoy a cool swim.
But when Creus jumped in, something went wrong.
Matt Schoenecker, who was leading the hike, heard Creuss' voice in the water and jumped in after him. Matt Anthony quickly followed. The hikers above lost sight of the three men and called for help. Tragically, all three lost their lives in the water.
Comprehensive coverage of the incident in the National Catholic Register tells the story of a volunteer diver who found the three men deceased under a waterfall, with Matt Shoenecker’s hand on Creus. It looked, the diver said, like Matt was attempting to pull Val up, but could not.
For a full account of what happened that day, see the National Catholic Register’s piece here.
Extraordinary in the ordinary
Bancroft explains that numeraries “spend a lot of time giving people spiritual direction, running recollections and retreats, and giving classes and talks on the spiritual life. A few of us, like Matt Anthony and Matt Schoenecker, work full-time for Opus Dei, but almost all of us have ordinary jobs. For instance, I teach physics and chemistry at The Heights School near Washington DC; Val Creus, one of the guys who drowned, was an accountant.”
Opus Dei centers are organized like family homes so the resident numeraries get to know each other really well.
When asked about any stories he wanted to share about his deceased friends, Bancroft recounted a story that involved, of all things, a plastic skeleton. Someone had given Bancroft the plastic skeleton to use at the school he taught at, but first, he played some practical jokes around the center with it. Actually “way too many practical jokes” Bancroft reflects.
And Matt Anthony was honest with him and told him to quit making himself the center of attention. After a little while being mad, Bancroft found that honesty to be helpful.
Plastic skeletons aside, Bancroft said,
mainly I remember Matt for being completely tireless at doing apostolate. He was a school teacher at that time, and after spending all day with unruly boys, he would then spend most of his evenings running activities for high school kids and mentoring them.
Matt was an amazingly hard worker. Once I took over a religion class that he had been teaching; he gave me all his notes, and I was amazed at how good they were. He was a very clear thinker, highly articulate, and a genius with analogies. He was also very inspiring and good at organizing people, which I suppose is why he got asked to work in Opus Dei's government. But he was also a completely ordinary guy, who loved pizza and action movies.
An ordinary guy, but one who gave of himself again and again and ultimately didn’t hesitate to give his life for a friend.
Bancroft also lived with Matt Shoenecker for a bit and said that “Matt's deepest desire was to help people get closer to God.”
He was cheerful and “if Matt was there, it was fun.”
“People naturally opened up to him, and he always had something helpful to say, in a very unobtrusive way.” He was such a good friend and so kind, Bancroft says, that dozens of people considered him their best friend.
As for Creus, along with being a great haggler, Fr. Luke Mata said in his homily that Val “exuded love, joy, peace … all the fruits of the spirit.” This love and joy came from Jesus, Fr. Mata shared, “Val
attended Mass and received Jesus in Holy Communion daily. He spent an hour in adoration every day. He prayed several Rosaries a day. And all this while carrying out a demanding and busy job. Val lived in Christ and for Christ.
Eternal Rest Grant Unto Them O Lord
Val’s funeral was celebrated by Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles, with Fr. Mata as the homilist in Pasadena, California, on Tuesday, July 15.
Matt Anthony’s funeral was on Wednesday, July 16, in Dardenne Prairie, a suburb of St. Louis.
Matthew Schoenecker’s funeral will be on Friday, July 18, in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee.
While many remember the great service and vocations of these three men, those who know them are grappling with their loss.
Fr. Mata shared his own struggle and had this piece of hope to offer to those who mourn them:
I got back home around 9 pm when I got the news about the tragic accident. I was in shock; I was stunned. I went into the chapel of our house and spent a long time with the Lord. I was asking him why. I was complaining and telling Jesus that it didn’t make sense. Val and the two Matts who died trying to save him were young and doing so much good, carrying so much weight in the service of the Church. I was not happy with Jesus.
At one point I heard clearly in my heart the voice of Christ. He said: “Luke, I understand, I do. I know how you are feeling and why it’s difficult to accept.” And then Jesus said, “Do you want me to be in charge or do you want to be in charge?” And I replied, “Lord, if you put it that way ... I think I’d prefer it if you are in charge.” And this great peace came into my heart.
