BISHOP PAUL PERINI, S.J. (1867-1932)

Bishop Paul Perini

Indeed, the mighty man' a stalwart pillar of the Church of India; an illustrious member of her Hierarchy, prominent in its counsels; a Bishop for 22 years, mighty in word and deed, who has filled two Dioceses with lasting monuments of his prudence and zeal; and who, on that account, deserved to be made, at the hands of the Holy Father a Domestic Prelate, a Count of the Holy Roman Empire and an Assistant at the Pontifical Throne: Yes, indeed, this mighty man is fallen struck by the hand of death."

"Yes, Bishop Paul Perini was a mighty man. Head and shoulders above us in his body, he was mightier and greater still in his soul. A special Providence sent him to us here in India. He himself told us that, when in 1890 he had finished his philosophical studies and had to take up the usual magisterial course, all his companion scholastics were picked and taken by the different Jesuit Rectors and Superiors of the Province and he was left alone, unclaimed, as it were unwanted, and was told that, as he was not particularly wanted anywhere, he might, if he so desired it, be sent to India; and he cheerfully chose to come to India.

"And to us in India he gave his best and his all. In fact, his years in Europe were those of his studies and training only: for the rest of his entire ministry has been in and for India-in our two Dioceses.

"Need I recount to you in detail the work of this great man? Who does not know his wonderful achievements as Rector of St Aloysius College? and as Bishop of Mangalore, the large number of parishes which he created and the churches which he helped to build; the Seminary which he so much enlarged and developed; the start and life which he gave to the Catholic Association of South Kanara; the Catholic Educational Council of the Madras Presidency which he helped and guided into being; the encouragement and support which he gave to new Religious Congregations; these and other things, too many to enumerate within this brief space of time, which he himself did, or helped others to do, are they not mighty witnesses of Bishop Perini's work and worth?

"And the great transformation the new Diocese of Calicut has gone through during these past eight years with its increased churches, schools, convents missionary stations, as also industrial works, what is it all I ask, but the result of the zeal, courage and enthusiasm of this great and good Bishop?

"But mighty as Bishop Perini is for what he has done, he is far mightier still for what he was in his venerable and lovable person, "Dominus illuminatio mea", "The Lord is my light", was the motto which he had taken as Bishop; and truly the Lord illumined him. The Lord illumined his mind, always so calm and serene; the Lord illumined his heart which flowed out in love and sympathy and abundant charity; the Lord illumined his face, ever kind and cheerful, which brightened everything around him and radiated sun shine wherever he went; the Lord illumined his whole person which made his subjects so happy to live under him and so easy to deal with in all matters, great or small."

Thus spoke Mgr. R. F. C. Mascarenhas the Founder of the Bethany congregation, on the funeral day of Bishop Perini. And Mgr. R. F. C. Mascarenhas knew the Bishop, had been with him and worked with him for years. Paul Perini was born on January 12, 1867, in Brandola a small Village in the civil Province of Modena. He joined the Society of Jesus when sixteen years old, in November 1883. Seven years were spent between the Novitiate and his literary and philosophical studies. His vocation to Mangalore resembles very much that of the early Jesuit Fathers. From a letter of the Very Rev. L. Cattaneo, S.J., then Provincial of the Venetian Province, one of the very few letters jealously preserved by Bishop Perini, we make out that the order to start for India was sudden and unexpected, not unlike the order that St. Ignatius of Loyola had given centuries before to Francis Xavier. The scholastic Perini bowed without a murmur to the will of his Superior and taking up his bedding set off for Mangalore which he reached in December, 1890. After a short stay at St Aloysius College, he was appointed Professor of Philosophy in the Diocesan Seminary. Even at that time, I believe, Bishop Perini was more a Philsopher of life than a lover of metaphysical speculation, but he did his work with a will. He would never answer their difficulties on the spur of the moment, but, making use of a parliamentary phrase, he would say: "I want time to answer." In September 1894, young Perini returned to Europe for his Theological course preparatory to his ordination to the Priesthood, after which came the year of the Third Probation. St Ignatius wanted men who would be learned as well as holy, educators as well as missionaries, able to face the syllogism or the mission field, at home in a hut, or in an university. That is why the constitutions of the society prescribe a third year of probation, or a Tertianship, as it is called. "Having completed the diligent task of cultivating the intellect," they tell us, "Those who have been engaged in studies, must, during the time of the last probation, more diligently exercise themselves in the school of the heart and devote themselves to spiritual and corporal things which help to words progress in humanity and in the abnegation of all sensual love as well as of their own will and judgement and also towards a greater knowledge and love of God."

We find him back to Mangalore, in October 1899, on the staff of St Aloysius College where he taught physiology in the then F. A. classes, history in the B. A. and ethics in the College Department. He was shortly after wards appointed director of the Senior Sodality, an office which afforded congenial work to his zeal for souls and Minister of the house. In December 1904 he succeeded Fri Moore as Rector and Principal of St Aloysius College. He will always be remembered as one of the makers of the College. I have but to mention only a few of his innumerable works. It was during his Rectorship that the College Department buildings, with its well-equipped laboratories, were constructed and a new block for the primary section. erected on the slope of the college hill. To him we owe the foundation of the Boarding House, the reorganization of many branches of studies, the opening of new courses and the large increase in the number of students on the rolls, which more than doubled itself. It can briefly be affirmed that the flourishing condition and reputation of St Aloysius College dated from the days of Fr Perini's Rectorship.

On March 26, 1910, occurred the death of Mgr Abundius Cavadini, S.J., Second Bishop of Mangalore. No wonder that all eyes were turned to the Rector of St Aloysius. As Fr Em. Coelh S.J., was fond of repeating: "The question was not who is to be our next Bishop, but when is Fr Perini to be consecrated Bishop?" This event took place on December 4, 1910, when he was consecrated in the Cathedral by Mgr H. Jurghens, Archbishop of Bombay. The seventeen years of Mgr. Perini's regime were a period of rapid expansion and advancement in many directions. Mgr Perini was indeed every inch a Bishop, and towering personality among the Bishops of the Hierarchy of India.

It were no doubt mere exaggeration to claim, for him the undivided merit of all the successful undertaking carried out during this epoch-making period in the history of the Diocese of Mangalore. Other workers in the Vineyard of the Lord deserve our meed of gratitude, men of sterling qualities and brave soldiers in Christ army, who stood by his side in all he did for the improvement of the people entrusted to his care. Yet the impetus came from above. Because Bishop Perini was great he could inspire greatness in others. (Mgr. R.F.C. Mascarenhas has briefly but clearly recalled his contribution as Bishop's.) All the Religious and Dioceasan Institutions grew marvelously. The Codialbail Press, the Jeppoo Shops, the St Anthony's Institutions expanded to dimensions unforeseen by their founders. Buildings were added to Fr Muller's Hospital, to St Aloysius College while the St. Agnes First Grade College for women, in the, teeth of difficulties and much opposition rose like a fairy amidst the gardens of Bendur. To Bishop Perini's untiring energy we owe the establishing of the South Kanara Catholic Association, the starting of the Konkani Messenger of the Sacred Heart, of the Konkani Catholic truth Society and of the never sufficiently praised conferences of St. Vincent De Paul. These are standing proofs of the great Bishop's zeal for the good of his flock.

In 1921 he had been eleven years a Bishop and felt that the Diocese of Mangalore had reached a stage of development which justified the further step of entrusting it to its own local clergy under Bishops chosen from among them. That year Mgr. Perini went to Rome for his visit ad limina and in an interview with the then Prefect of the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide, he handed over the Diocese to be henceforward governed by the Diocesan Clergy. This act of self-renunciation and generous sacrifice has been highly appreciated by all who realized what it meant for the aging Bishop. The passing of the Diocese from the Religious to the Jurisdiction of the local Clergy did not necessarily entail an obligation on him to relinquish his office. Both the Clergy and the Laity were anxious he should continue to govern them till the end of his days and, as one can imagine, such an arrangement would easily have secured the approval of the Holy see. But different was the spirit whereby Bishop Perini was wholly possessed. He must needs go the whole length of the Sacrifice, and drain to the lees the chalice he had prepared for himself. The Catholic Herald", commenting on the action of Mgr. Perini, said it was an act which even a canonized Saint would be glad to have recorded in his life". The good Bishop, in his usual way, simply remarked that he was leaving a rich bride for one that had neither dowry nor patrimony". Rev. Joseph Pais, Parish Priest of Kinigoly, who was nominated Bishop of Mangalore, but, having declined to accept the dignity it became necessary for Mgr Perini to administer the Diocese of Mangalore, up to the year 1928, when in April he himself consecrated his successor Rt Rev. Dr Valerian D'Souza.

At Calicut the venerable Bishop-he now sixty years old, and grey- could only survey the field and think of his new plans. Success at Mangalore had all but elated him. He was the man of the most optimistic nature and saw the silver lining into clouds wherein others could descry only tempest and storm. "Give me ten years'', he occasionally remarked and we shall have a self-supporting and prosperous Diocese of Calicut'', True he was soon to realize that his people were poor and needed help, but, nothing daunted, he set about for means to put up a weaving establishment, shops for carpentry and an iron foundry that would provide work for the needy and the indigent. He invited the Sisters of Charity to open Orphanages in the Diocese, urged the Sisters of the Apostolic Carmel to expand and build schools, established five new stations with resident Priests, and built nine chapels in various parts of the Diocese. He bought a big estate in the Wynaad. It meant a heavy drain on his slender resources, but on it lay his hopes for the future, He thought of a school for Indian Boy's, encouraged the Missionaries to work for the conversion of infidels, and dreamed to raise a stately Cathedral which indeed he began, but which, it was in the designs of Divine Providence, he was not to complete.

What struck everyone in Mgr Perini was his genial and generous nature, his courteous manners, his readiness to help and promote any good cause. He seldom, if ever, was found in bad humour or out of temper. When at official interviews the speaker would warm up in his representation of grievances, and, at times show signs of becoming overexcited, the Bishop would kindly smile, and taking a cigar box, say "Shall we try a smoke, nothing like it to soothe our nerves", or, "Now dear Father, let us go for a cup of coffee." He was charitable beyond measure. Someone has placed it on record that he never sent any beggar away without helping him to the best of his powers. When Bishop of Mangalore his generosity had become proverbial. He would give ungrudgingly to any deserving cause. At Calicut Bishop Perini was too poor to display liberality. He felt the want of money not on his own account, for he never spent much on himself, but because, as he used to say: "I cannot relieve the distress of my people".

Bishop Perini had also his faults, and who indeed is without them among the children of our fallen race? Some thought him a little imperious; he was impatient with mere theorizers. Indeed, he never sympathized with the so-called philosophers. He had a practical turn of mind and occasionally loved to display it. Of a kind, accommodating nature, he too often it is said, resorted to compromise in order to avoid a troublesome decision between conflicting persons and ideals. He was, indeed like a true child of his country, a lover of peace, and although this tendency to indecision has been singled out for criticism, as a weak spot in the character of Bishop Perini, it was also, to a great extent, the secret of his success.

And what a saintly man he was! He was regular in the observance of the minutest rules of the Jesuits. He had chosen St John Berchmans as special Patron from the earliest years of his religious life and continued as Rector and as Bishop to follow in the footsteps of that young saint of the Society of Jesus. At Bishop's Codial bail, the Lord Bishop was known for his scrupulous fidelity to all the actions of the community. Even that stern and inflexible upholder of the Rules, the late Fr S. F. S.J., a man by no means easily pleased, could not detect in Mgr. Perini the smallest deviation from the customs and discipline of the house. Zenetti," his Lordship used to say, "will give me a good conduct certificate any time I ask for it". His Jesuit Companions were all aware of, and admired this very remarkable trait of his character.

Bishop Perini was magnanimous in every sense of the word. Physically he stood head and shoulders above all of us and, I believe, above all the Bishops of the Indian Hierarchy. An Italian officer is reported to have remarked after once meeting Bishop Perini: What a General has the Italian Army lost when this giant first thought of becoming a Jesuit". But he was not merely a six-foot man, he had also a large heart. A big brain, we learn from psychology, is often connected with great intelligence. I am not aware that a physiologically big heart has a similar relation to great plans, broad views and lofty ideas. But all this Bishop Perini had. He always thought imperially, always on grand scale, money was no consideration to him; he lavishly spent it when he had it, and made debts when he was without it, but God's works had to be pushed on, Schools and churches must be built, orphanages and missions must be opened. He was never known to have said a discouraging word to anyone who went to him with a reasonable new scheme. "Go ahead", was his familiar parting word to energetic young Fathers. "I want men that work, men like St Francis Xavier, St Vincent de Paul, and St Francis of Sales". His simple ways and condescending disposition attracted all to him but he could never make himself small. One wonders how he would have taught Catechism to little children.

But he shone to advantage at public meetings. As President of the South Kanara Catholic Association, and for a time, of the Catholic Educational Council, Madras, on him often devolved the duty of occupying the presidential chair. He filled it admirably. The directness and practical turn of his mind imparted a special value to his views and opinions. They were sought for eagerly by everybody. He seemed to be perfectly at home on the platform, but much more so in the pulpit. His sermons were not, perhaps, what one would call learned, nor had he the ornate style, the gestures and mannerisms of great orators. Yet people liked to hear him, and found his discourses lucid, appropriate and withal always instructive. Indeed, Mgr Perini was on all public occasions a commanding figure.

Bishop Perini at 65 years of age thought himself young. His father had died at ninety. His mother had also lived many years. Bishop Perini himself counted on a long life. He had been ailing for a time in 1929, but made light of his sickness, and he certainly looked the picture of health when

he returned from Europe in November 1930. But a cancer in the oesophagus, from which the doctors suspected he was suffering rapidly began to undermine his vitality. In February, he was prevailed upon to consult Col. Fraser of Coimbatore, who pronounced his case not very serious and ordered him to the hills, He seemed to improve at first and wrote to many of his friends assuring them that he was slowly but surely regaining strength. All the same the three month's stay on the hills did him little or no good. Towards the end of May, Dr L. P. Fernandes of Fr Muller's Hospital, Mangalore, came up to westbrooke, and sorrow fully declared that the end could not be far off. We were all with the Bishop at this time and naturally felt sad to see him daily go thin and frail, gaunt and stooping. He had become a mere shadow of his former self. We prayed for him and knew that others were storming heaven with votive prayers for the preservation of his most precious life.

On June 21st, soon after his return from the Nilgiris he was persuaded to proceed to St Martha's Hospital, Bangalore. It was his leave taking from the people of Calicut, though he little thought of it. Up to the end he hoped to live, but God had ordained otherwise. On Sunday June 26th, he received the Last Sacraments of the Church and wished first to make his profession of Faith. In a clear voice he declared his belief in God and in the Church and added; "I offer my life, and willingly make this little sacrifice for the conversion of India, and especially for that of the Hindus and Mohammedans of my Diocese". He died a Saint as he had lived, and peacefully fell asleep in Jesus early in the morning of June 28, 1932, the eve of the feast of his Patron Saints, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The Rev. Fr R. Chiriatti, S.J., who assisted Bishop Perini in his last illness wrote an account of it from St Martha's Hospital. The following are his, and at the same time our own concluding words.

As you know Bishop Perini had never been ill in his life and it was a painful experience to him to be handled by others. It was clear that it caused him pain, yet how patiently did he submit to everything. The thought of our Lord's passion must have supported him through it all. The impression left behind was that a Saint had died in the Hospital."

The above sketch on the life of Bishop Paul Perini S.J. is an adaptation of the Biographical sketch on the Bishop by Rev. Fr L. Proserpio, S.J. which appeared in the Mangalorean Review (Bombay) 1932.

This above material is taken from the book "Restless for Christ - Lives of Select Jesuits who toiled in the Karnataka Province" Series - IV