The first time I saw this person I thought
for a while as to from where this person hails. Why such a question? Simply because
of his hugeness and tallness. Getting to know from people around and those
living with him; I got to know his personality (which I will share later). But
when I came to Divyadaan, got to really know him as a person – a Convinced person (religious), a Caring person (human & pastoral), a Challenging person (intellectual). This only
reminds me of last night good night thought given by Fr. Matthew Couthino SDB,
the Vice Rector & Catechists of the Salesian Training Institute - DIVYADAAN,
summarizing all the qualities of this person in just 2Hs – Head and Heart. He has been my Rector for 4+1=5 years
of my initial formation (the fifth year is…). Definitely,
knowingly-unknowingly, consciously-unconsciously and wanting-unwanting, a lot
of this person has been and become part of me. I think that as a person he is;
and what comes across is kind yet firm,
and if you want to know a (boy-brother-Salesian), it is on the playground. This is very true ‘coz I
remember the days when he would come to play and even now though he is off the
ground (due to a knee problem), he is very much present and part of the game
(standing in the corner of the ground). [well, if you get a chance you must see
him play football and basketball]. I remember when I was a student in Divyadaan,
we brothers would talk as to which priest in the Campus/Province is handsome, and
I think he would be ranking in the first three. Coming back to from where I
began, about he being huge and tall, another synonym that needs to be added, is
that of largeness. His heart has the
largeness of…of…(well, you can come and experience…).All I can do as a token of
love, and a gesture of appreciation which can be unnoticeable is to pray and
respect him for the person he is.
This morning, in his sermon he shared his
life: life in and of his family, (a family that prayed together stayed
together) and his joURney towards Priesthood (thy will be done & Love
Calleth, Love Sendeth – this I faintly remember because when I was in divyadaan
along with other brothers and staff celebrated his Silver Jubliee of….). This I
believe is the summit of what he is today – PRIEST FOR ALL - the experiences
that formed him and made him the person he is. During his sermon he also made
mention of the many persons apart from his family members who helped me be what
he is; and owes humble gratitude to Fr. Elias Dias, Fr. Vincent Vaz, Fr. Joseph
Casti, Fr. Moya, Fr. Thomas Braganza, Fr Matthew Couthino and Fr Kenneth Pereira.
He attributed his personality and characters to them. He also expressed his
thanks to God for gifting him a supportive staff wherever he goes. He thanked
the staff of Divyadaan and all the brothers for placing their trust in him
through various ways. All in All I think he enjoyed his day people coming to
wish him, giving him blessings and gifts; all the emails and sms’s; all the
phone calls and miss calls; all of us wishing him and the cutting of the cake;
and most importantly the presence of his mummy. In the good nite he shared
about the net in which we collect all the things (good and bad) depends what we
want to keep, treasure and remember.
hapy biRthdae...der Fr SAVIO....
