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J. P Sequeira
P.N.Bhojarao
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Fr. Alfred Roche, O.F.M.
Capuchin.
(Amcho Paadreab)
"No Prophet is Welcome in his
Own Hometown" Luke 4:16-30. Oh what an exception Fr. Alfred Roche
made!
Let me begin why 'we' called
this humble, tired looking priest 'amcho padryab, translation 'our
father or namma gurugalu.' I said we, to include Barkur, Sastan,
and Brahmavar parishes, in the Mangalore diocese. Practically each
one claimed this priest as his own priest, a friend, a mentor, a
consultant, a pathfinder, whether related by blood or not,
because, all the priests who served in these parishes were not
native born. They spoke Konkani, but could not relate to the day
today vocabulary/lingua
franca, or the accent of the local people of these three parishes.
Some of the priests even had
the audacity to call and insult these people as 'backward' instead
of encouraging and helping them to come forward, if that was
really the case.
Yes, sir, these people were backward because
they were not devious enough to cheat the weaker or less educated
folks. They obeyed authority blindly, ithout questioning
therefore they could be classified as backward or less smart! (Who
is stupid here, the one who asks to jump in a swimming pool with a
crocodile in it, or the one who jumps never anticipating there is
a crocodile in the pool? These people were smart enough to ensure
that there was enough water in the pool!) They simply trusted. It
was such a blessing, such a pride, what a joy to have a priest
born in our own soil, serving our needs. There were a few native
born rich Jesuit priests then, but they came down on vacations.
They did not meet the spiritual or physical needs of these people.
Whereas, Fr. Alfred baptized thousands, served first communions,
heard and counseled in the confessionals, performed nuptials, he
fed thousands, he counseled and prevented marriages being broken;
he visited and prayed with the sick, he bought medicines for those
who could not afford of whom there were plenty, he bought train or
bus tickets to thousands to send them to cities to find jobs, he
shared wedding expenses of poor girls in lieu of dowry, he sent
hundreds to colleges, and he even influenced/sent a dozen or three
to priesthood from Mabhukal, Airody, Kundapoor, Kallianpur, or
Brahmavar, he buried the dead and cried with the living. (He is
the one who bought my first pair of long pants, besides meeting many other expenses!)
He was there to share the joy of a birth or birthday party, and he
was there to share a tear while conducting the funeral services,
not only in his parish, but in the parishes like Kallianpur,
Kundapoor, Sasthan, Barkur, or Gangolly, Kasakod, or Karwar. He
was one of us. Some people arranged their marriages based on Fr.
Alfred's availability, even though there were other priests, who
used to feel the neglect/insult, even though the people did not
mean it! It is said, people wanted to plan their funerals based on
the availability of Fr. Alfred!
Such was the demand he had!
He understood us. He could relate to our problems and happiness.
He could squat on the floor and eat with us without a spoon or
fork. He visited every house, once a year, unaware of thorns,
pebbles, quick sands or silt, rain, or heat to bless each parish
house to turn into a home, a blessed home indeed, after Lent or
Easter, each year. (Apparently this practice of house blessing
is discontinued. I can see why there are so many broken homes as a
result?) He was one of us. He was we. Therefore we called him 'Amcho
Padryab', 'Namma Gurugalu', or 'Our father', 'Pity Padreab' or
'Roche Padreab', not a biological father, but he was a father for
our bodily/biological needs, he was a father for
intellectual/educational needs, he was father for our spiritual
needs, more over he was a father to many a fatherless and even to
the motherless, and penniless. In the New Testament it's said, "No
Prophet is respected in his own land." Even Christ was not
accepted in
Bethlehem or Jerusalem, but Fr. Alfred has proved otherwise. He
was loved by one and all. If we had some influence and necessary
finance, and if all those people who benefited from him were to
petition, we could get him beatified for sainthood. He deserves
this, readers! All those saints did not root out poverty, did not
eliminate sicknesses, did not end wickedness, but they helped to
reduce such things, thus touched a few lives within their reach,
by doing little acts of mercy, encouraging a failing child,
providing a meal, a shirt, a pill, a kind or encouraging word, or
even a hug. This is what Fr. Alfred did. He spent and gave his
entire life in doing this. He is a saint in the eyes of God and a
holy man, beatified or not. Yes, I mean it.
Peter Roche (Alfred was a new
name given by the Capuchins, so as to 'Renounce the Past and
Embrace the Future' Capuchin way of life, instituted by St.
Francis of
Assisi, who vowed to poverty, even though Francis was born to
aristocracy, just like Buddha; both renounced riches to help the
poor,) was born to Mr. Isaac Roche and Carmine (nee Monteiro) of
Moodahadu Kudru Vaado, of Barkur St. Peter's Parish, on 3rd April,
1924,
South Kanara,
in
India.
Mr. Isaac Roche was a landlord, holding coconut and rice farms.
However, his love for God was so great, that he served the Barkur
Parish as a sacristan for 40 years practically for free, reaching
the Church every morning by 6:00 am, facing the hurdles of
crossing a river daily, even when the Kudru (island) was flooded
in monsoon seasons. (The rumor was such that the sacristans were
not paid those days, mainly because the Sunday collections were
not enough even to buy candles used during mass!) Un-doubtedly,
little Pity (Peter) had accompanied his father to serve mass as an
altar boy. (A priest could not function in those days, without
the help of a sacristan, altar boys, choir, and especially a cook
or butler!)
After finishing his primary
education at Moodahadu and at Sastan St. Anthony's higher Primary
school, Peter completed his High School (SSLC) education from
Milagres High School, Kallianpur. He stayed with
his relatives in Kallianpur on weekdays, whereas he used to walk
home on weekends, crossing Barkur and Kallianpur rivers. There
wasn't much of any bus service, nor were any bridges built then. I
am not quite sure how Peter was introduced to Capuchin priests.
It is believed that while studying in Kallianpur, Peter met Fr.
Philip Neri ofm cap, of Kallianpur, who had his first mass there.
It was very common those days to hold retreats during the Lenten
season.
The capuchin priests were
good at oratory, delivering fiery sermons, making the people
lament for their so-called sins, which they never committed. I
remember undergoing/experiencing such sermons. They inculcated
great love for God by introducing a little fear but convincing the
need to serve the poor, by teaching the commandments, the way of
the cross, evils of deadly sins, joys of the acts of mercy, etc,
thus they cleansed your soul so clean, just like a triple dose of
castor oil to your body! Jokes aside, I am being compelled to
present the following simple but universal Prayer of St. Francis:
Lord,
make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred… let me sow love.
Where there is injury… pardon.
Where there is discord… unity.
Where there is doubt… faith.
Where there is error… truth.
Where there is despair… hope.
Where there is sadness… joy.
Where there is darkness… light.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek:
To be consoled… as to console,
To be understood… as to understand,
To be loved… as to love,
For,
It is in giving… that we receive.
It is pardoning… that we are pardoned.
It is in dying… that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.
-St. Francis of
Assisi.
Folks: M.K. Gandhi, the
Mahatma, the Father of the Sovereign Nation of India, used this
prayer as his theme to achieve independence by nonviolence,
Ahimsa: "Make me an instrument of your peace," he prayed to his
Gods, every morning. And he won after many tribulations. He used
this prayer when he was imprisoned frequently, to keep his sanity!
Thank you Gandhiji, and you too St. Francis! (I wish today's wars
are fought by playing chess or in examination halls, thus without
bloodshed, leaving behind widows, fatherless or motherless
neglected Prozac addictive children.) This is a simple prayer, an
universal prayer, the contents of which reflect in every religion
in the world today. You don't have to belong to any specific
religion to appreciate this little poem/prayer. The world would
be better place if only we could practice it a bit more!
Most probably Peter wanted to
join this Franciscan Order, upon experiencing the retreats offered
by the Franciscan clergy. He got vested (official commitment to
join Franciscan religious order) on 3.2.1944. His first
profession took place on 11.4.1945 in Quilon, Kerala, and his
perpetual profession on 11.4.1949. He was ordained to priesthood
on 11.4.1951 in Kotagiri, Nilgiris, then in
Madras State, thus was known as Fr. Alfred Roche OFM Cap. (Order
of Friars Minor, Capuchins)
Fr. Alfred was the youngest
one among the 5 children: Alphonso, Juliana, Louis, and
Cecilia.Alphonso Roche married to Mary Vas of Mangalore city
proper was working for Grindlay's Bank,
Bombay, for many years. They lived in Bandra, with children
Adolph, Percy, Alwyn, Sheryl and Astrid. Both Alphonso and Mary
are expired now. (Very loving and compassionate people. Even
though, they did not know me, they took me in their home ne
evening when I went to their home and introduced myself saying
that I am from Barker.
I even had supper that day
with them, sometime in late sixties. At month ends, when the
money was short, I used to visit people!!) All their children are
well educated and well settled.) uliana Roche married to Dennis
Rebello (Anagally,) both are expired. They had three children:
Stanley, Phelomena and Hilary. Hilary is expired. The rest of
them are settled comfortably. Though Juliana became a widow in her
twenties, her life of dedication and commitment to her children
and fellow neighbors has been a source of inspiration to many.
(Marrying a second time was very rare or a no-no, those days!)
Louis Roche married to
Angelina D'Almeida. Louis Roche was working for P & T in
Bombay,
while Angeline was a teacher in Barkur for some time, who opted to
stay in Kudru, raising Rita, Jacintha, Jessie, Wilfred, and Sannu
(Alfred Robert). Louis Roche expired whereas Angeline (Anjaal bai/Anjaal
teacher) lives in Barkur Kudru with her son Wilfred, looking after
the ancestral property.
Cecilia Roche married to
Rosario Crasta of Kannada Kudru, near Kundapur. Both are in the
embrace of the Merciful Father, the Lord God.
Rosario was a hard working innovative farmer, raising green/red
peppers, brinjaals, melons, sugarcane, besides rice and coconuts
in Kannada Kudru. Their children are: Frederick (Freddie), John
(Johny), Lucy, Patrick (Pity) ofm cap, Alexander (Alsu), Edward (Eddu),
Wilfred (Wilfie), Rudolf (Dolphy) S.V.D, and Godfrey. There are
two of them priests, needless to say, influenced by Fr. Alfred, in
one form or the other. (I still remember eating sanna and
rosa-maas, in this house too!!)
And the fifth child Fr.
Alfred was married too! Married to Poverty, Chastity, and
Obedience, upon which the Capuchin way of life is
fashioned/founded and functions effectively even today.
As per the old Franciscan
custom, Fr. Alfred was ordained at Kotagiri (Nilgiris, Tamil Naadu,
then
Madras State), and his first Mass was at Barkur. It was a unique
event in the history of Barkur Parish. Fr. Charles Nazareth was
the parish priest then. On that day Fr. Alfred gave the first Holy
Communion to two of his nephews: Patrick Crasta (his sister's son)
and Adolph Roche (his brothers' son). Believe it or not both of
them are ordained priests today. The church was decorated
extremely beautiful. There was "sangod", three boats combined to
form a floating platform to ferry the guests to his home at the
Kudru villa.
Ministry:
His first appointment was at
Monte Mariano, Farangipet, near Mangalore, just on the banks of
the river Nethravathi, as Vice-Master where he rendered his humble
service in implanting the capuchin spirit into the hearts of the
young novices as well as in serving the poor people of the
neighborhood. He also taught music, liturgical music, and
Gregorian music/chant with his sonorous and melodious voice. In
1956 he came to Brahmavar as the first capuchin parish priest of
the
Holy Family Church that was entrusted to the care of the Capuchins
owing to the ecclesiastical ruptures at Brahmavar.
There was rumor that the
uppity diocesan priests used to hesitate to come to these, the so
called remote and poor churches, where the parish could not even
collect the cost of priest's meals, on a Sunday collection! No
doubt the poor Capuchins came to the rescue!
In fact, half a century ago
the situation of Brahmavar was not like that of today. Poverty;
economic, intellectual as well as spiritual unrest was very
evident. With Fr. Alfred's arrival began a new chapter in the
history of the parish and I must add, in the region as well. His
maturity of faith, simplicity of life and generosity of heart won
over the young and the old irrespective of caste and creed. His
full time availability (with a little table and a stool on the
veranda, close to the bell tower) was the secret of his ministry.
The shepherd always had time for his flock. People came to him
spontaneously to pour out their joys and sorrows. He wrote a book
on the virtue of chastity "niskolpon" as help in his pastoral
ministry.
The parish house (which did
not have special rooms for the Parish Priest, but only a hall with
a little kitchen, and a verandah) was a kind of boarding house.
Following the example of Jesus he loved children. Children
followed him wherever he went. That's how the children learned to
mix with people, face people, thus overcome shyness, stage fear or
nervousness which had kept many a youth poor, otherwise. He did
not label them backward, but he helped to get them forward.
Several poor children from the parish were staying with him, as in
a family, freely eating, helping in the kitchen, studying, playing
cricket, watering the tiny garden, and helping him in the daily
chores at the altar. Hundreds of poor children helped by him
through different sources have reached different corners of the
world becoming eminent citizens of the world (not only of the
country, even abroad) holding important positions.
Music was in his nature.
Composing hymns and songs and teaching music was his special
hobby. So much so, he could train some of the parishioners and
could organize a band-set in the parish. The parish choir,
composed of children, youth, as well as the Sisters of Charity,
(specially Sr. Judith, "vandane classichi chicher" who has done so
much of good in Brahmavar,) was a special source of attraction.
Neighboring parishioners flocked to the
Holy
Family Church to listen to the beautiful parish choir as well as
the down to earth sermons of Fr. Alfred who went from parish to
parish preaching the Word of God to the religious and faithful
especially to the youth.
As he came to Brahmavar the
parish construction was not complete. But, with the help of
generous benefactors as well as the hard work (serti = voluntary
work) of the parishioners he was able to complete the church with
the beautiful altar as well as the mighty bell tower with the
sonorous bell. (My cousin Mr. Luis D'Almieda was the chief
stone-mason in constructing this belfry. Fr. Alfred called him the
chief engineer, because, Luis was known for his detailed precision
work. Fr. Alfred helped the local workforce too.) Frs. Odoric
Devanand Goveas and Daniel D'Souza were his early colleagues. The
satellite church at Petre and the chapel of Nilavar too were built
when he was at Brahmavar with the collaboration of Fr. Apolinaris.
(I remember Fr. Apolinaris, who used to walk 6-8 miles to Petre
every
morning carrying some
bananas, and home made bread, for lunch. There were no cars or
trucks in the church garages!) He was very closely involved with
the Sisters of Charity in the process of acquiring the plot and in
establishing the
Nirmala
High School. (I need not elaborate the
hassles of starting a high school.)
After his creative and
constructive mission of 16 years at Brahmavar Fr. Alfred went to
Binaga, close to Karwar, as the parish priest. I admire this man,
because, instead of advancing himself to go to the richer
parishes, or bigger cities, he opted to go to the still poorer
places, where even bullock carts were rare to find. He went where
no one else wanted to go! Within three years he could bring up
this marginalized little parish with his profound inner dynamism
and vast pastoral experience. Then he came to
Lower Kasarkod (Honnavar) in 1975, where he had to take up a
greater responsibility as the parish priest of St. Joseph's Church
and the coordinator of the five mission stations (Samsi, Kodani,
Molkod, Gundibala and Binaga) of the then Belgaum Diocese
(presently part of the Karwar Diocese) which were entrusted to the
care of the Capuchins. It's mostly the poor who help the other
poor. The rich mostly profit from the poor! It was said that some
priests were reluctant to go and work in those remote, poor
mission sites, for lack of proper basic necessities such as a
place to stay, shops, doctors, clean water, or warm food. Fr.
Alfred felt at home in such situations, because, he wanted to
uplift the less fortunate brethren.)
When he reached
Lower Kasarkod in 1975 the situation at
St. Joseph's church was identical to that of the
one at Brahmavar as he reached there in 1956. There was a little
old chapel with a broken presbytery. But, within no time the
little parish house became the home of every body where one could
come and meet their 'guru'/"Vigar" without any formality. Just
barge in, no appointment necessary! Children flocked around him as
a "father", seeking love and care, and approval; grown ups
approached him as a "spiritual guide", seeking guidance and
comfort, even for asking permission to plant rice paddy on a
Sunday! He could get into the hearts of all bridging the gaps of
prejudices of rich or poor, with his deep spirit of faith and
simple life-pattern. Thus, the Master Gardener employed his
spiritual energy in ploughing, watering, and manuring/fertilizing
the fertile soil in the parish of
St. Joseph
and in producing a beautiful garden of deep rooted faithful with
many vocations to priesthood and religious life. There were hardly
any vocations from these regions, because, even if they reached a
seminary, the practices of caste system, even amongst the clergy,
kept the vocations to a minimum or nil from these, remote but
devout God loving people. I know for sure, 'Every dog has its
day!' Further, the Master Architect made use of his inner
vitality, far reaching vision and pastoral concern in putting up a
beautiful new church with the enthusiastic cooperation of the
faithful (blessed in 1979) and a parish house (blessed in 1990).
He is a builder, not a destroyer! He served at Lower Kasarkod for 12 years (1975-1981; 1987-1993, in between
for six years he was at Farangipet as guardian of the monastery.)
and then he returned as a retired friar to Brahmavar in 1994 where
he had spent/shared/taught much of his God-given gifts and talents
earlier in his younger years.
In short, the mission fields
of Fr. Alfred were: Farangipet (11 years), Brahmavar (19 years),
Binga (3 years) and
Lower Kasarkod (12 years). (Folks, bear with me, these details
are for history records, not to bore you!) Option for/with the
poor was keynote of his mission. In fact, he was asked to go to
Fatima Church, Kirol, Mumbai to take up the parish. But, Fr.
Alfred preferred to work in remote areas to work with the simple
folks in whom he could implant the seed of faith spontaneously.
Wherever he went faith formation was his first preference. But,
faith formation was always integrated into intellectual formation
and bread winning tools. As I have said in several ways, 'Religion
cannot be taught to empty stomachs!' He encouraged and supported
the local children, irrespective of caste and creed, to go to
school providing all the necessary means, such as books, uniforms,
and even meals. He even mended chappals himself. As the faithful
grew in faith and as they were more and more educated, vocations
to priesthood and religious life too grew wherever he worked. He
was a vocation promoter not only to the Capuchins, but also to
many religious congregations of women as well. Ecumenism and inter
religious dialogue with the simple folk was the secret of his
success in every mission field. Two factors bear witness to this
eloquently:
a. The prayerful music that
was broad cast by the Hindu Brethren as the mortal remains of Fr.
Alfred were brought in procession from St. Peter's church, Barkur,
to Holy Family Church Brahmavar on the funeral day (1.1.1997) in
the morning with the repeated chorus; nimage shanthi labisali (may
you have peace). (No doubt they called him 'namma gurugalu.')
b. The vast number of
devotees (irrespective of caste and creed) that came to pay their
last homage to the mortal remains of Fr. Alfred that were laid in
the Holy Family Church, Brahmavar, during the course of the day,
and the funeral mass conducted in front of the church with people coming
from far and near. Normally people judge a funeral by asking how
many bishops or priests attended a funeral, however, in his case,
there were so many people, the mass had to be conducted outside
the church, for the benefit of the 'outstanding' people.
However, there were two Bishops, one flew all the way from
Bombay, and another being Bishop Aloysius from Mangalore Diocese.
His simplicity of life with
generosity of heart was the spring-board in building up
relationships and fostering friendship with young and old, rich
and poor. People of every category came to him for spiritual
enlightenment and guidance. He is loved and cherished as "amcho
padriab" or "roche padriab". May he intercede for us in becoming
more and more committed and dedicated children of the same
Merciful and Compassionate Father whose faithful and generous son
he was.
P.S. As Fr. Alfred was always
interested in helping the poor children in their educational,
spiritual, and intellectual pursuits, I came to know that quite a
few local well wishers, have set up a fund in his memory to
support the poor children in the very same mission. These local
people, chose Fr. Patrick Crasta as the president of this society.
Barkuronline.com encourages our readers, who wish to contribute
your mite to this mission even if it is the mite of the "poor
widow", to contact Patrick Crasta, ofm cap. by e-mail,
patrickcrasta@ofmcap.org, and/or for further details, Even Rs. 10
or 20, can make a difference in a child's growth, in today's
standards more money may be needed.
Fr. Alfred did not crave for
fame. He believed in simplicity. In my opinion, he could not
leave behind his people poor, ignorant and without hope therefore
he opted to work in his native place. He might have felt that he
must help his native folks, even sacrificing his own personal
growth in the hierarchy of Franciscan order. He was one of us,
hence 'amcho padreab!' Is it true people were stealing the soil
off of his grave? Thus a marble slab was placed? May he
intercede for us, even now, in his heavenly abode! May he rest in
peace.
Barkuronline.com appreciates
the help of
Fr. Patrick Crasta and
Mr. & Mrs. Rock and Latha
D'Silva, for providing some dates, names, and facts or pictures.
-James Fernandes and
Barkuronline.com team, March 2004. |
