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| Fr John Baptist Polese, SJ |
The man who called Fr Polese "the pivot round whom the whole Mission moved," must have been one who understood and appreciated power of prayer for Fr Polese was also known as the silent man of prayer and good counsel". And as he was indeed a man of prayer, we can well understand how a friend of his could say of him: "Under heaven I owe to him all I am".
Born in Venice on 17th July 1849, he was noted, even from his earliest years, for his more than ordinary share of intellectual gifts. Fr Polese's life, especially as a religious, might be said to have been woven with three strands: intense prayer, painstaking study and a great love of music. He had a voice that might have won him fame and fortune. In fact, we are told, "Italy, the land of fine arts, had held out bright prospects, and professional artists had actually made splendid offers to the young singer. But the love of Christ had proved stronger".
He came to India in January 1881, He first taught philosophy and theology in the seminary at Mangalore: he then worked a few years in Cannanore, then a military station of considerable importance. From 1887, for 17 years, he was the professor of Political Economy at St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, For the last five years of his life he became Procurator of the Mission at Bishop's House, Codialbail. On his way from Kodiaikanal to Calicut, near Shoranur, he had a seizure of apoplexy. And despite the skilled medical ministrations by Dr. J.F. Pereira, his end came swiftly. An eye-witness, describing his last moments, concludes his description with these words: The hallowed calm of his last moments was at once the finale of a peaceful past, and the prelude of a serene eternity".
He was man, as someone put it, with an "uncommon ardour for work". And this was seen in the way he prepared his classes. About his work as lecturer at St. Aloysius College, a friend and admirer of his wrote: "Every available book on the subject was eagerly seized upon and studied, and in the form of a digest found its place in his notes for the benefit of his pupils".
He mastered Konkani so thoroughly, that he spoke and preached with rare ease and grace" He has three Konkani books to his credit, one of which went into five editions. He even planned similar publications in Tulu, to be worked upon in the evening of his life.
Fr Polese was a beloved Father, a true friend and a wise counsellor, easily approachable and even available to all without distinction. The needy school boy, the helpless maiden, the pauper widow, the workman in difficulties, all alike tasted the sweetness of his sympathy, while persons in places of trust and responsibility found light and guidance".
He used his unusual talent for music to compose Church music. He directed the college choir for several years. He was also President of the Bishop's choir, which became organized and acquired status under his management.
The confessional was one place where his great zeal for souls found vast scope. Large numbers came to him, and in him they all found a prudent counsellor and friend in need. "To some," said a friend of his, it was a matter of wonder how one single word from him was so efficacious, when a whole discourse from another, in the same circumstances, might have been of little avail".
The power of his words in the confessional and outside, came from his union with God. He was a man of deep and intense prayer, and, in season and out of season, he recommended prayer to all as the one sure and efficacious means to obtain success and happiness. "Pray, my boy, pray," was his frequent and urgent advice.
It was to the Blessed Virgin that he had a special devotion. filial and tender. If anyone reported to him some failure, he would ask, "Did you pray to Mary?" At St Aloysius' College, he founded and directed with such enthusiasm the Marian Sodality for the junior students. Fr Polese's gentle effort to instill devotion to our Lady in the heart of each of his spiritual children was the outcome of his own tender devotion to her. As a friend of his recalls: It was a beautiful sight to see him. in his last days, piously reading the little Konkani book entitled 'The Month of Mary', and nourishing his soul with the simple and childlike sentiments contained in that book".
When we consider the extraordinary life of Fr Polese, the question arises naturally in our minds: This man of delicate and uncertain health- how did he manage to do so much?
The answer is twofold: First, he was careful, systematic and disciplined with regard to time. He rose at 3.45 in the morning; and from that unearthly hour, "duty followed duty in unbroken succession, and each spare moment was treasured up as a goldsmith treasures up the dust of his precious metal."
Secondly, there was a supernatural strength within him. One who knew him intimately put it this way: "The secret spring of this life of beautiful self-sacrifice was an intense love of God and zeal for souls;" and prayer was the great weapon wielded by him, and we know that more things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of".
The resolution recorded at the meeting of the members of the managing committee of Kanara Catholic Association on 19 June, 1909, gives us some idea of the impact he made on the diocese of Mangalore:
"Resolved that the Kanara Catholic Association records its deep regret at the sad death of the Rev. Fr J. B. Polese, S.J., and its sense of sorrow at the heavy loss sustained by the Jesuit Mission of Mangalore. The late Rev. Father's services to St Aloysius' College, the diocese of Mangalore and to the Catholic community at large have been great and are universally appreciated. The erudite translation of religious books into Konkani by the Rev. Father have added to the lore of the language. By his suavity of manner, his sympathy with the poor and the rich, and his ready and willing cooperation in all public movements of the Catholics, the late Rev. Father won for himself general popularity and love from all".
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