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| Fr. Jerome Lobo SJ (1894-1977) |
(Out of love for my friend Fr Jerome, I jotted down a few ideas; true, we were good friends, but we lived much of our lives separated by places and works, except for the last years of his life. I am not sure if what I wrote is a necrology or mere reminiscences." Fr F.X. Rocca, SJ.)
What a conflicting situation for a friend to write the obituary of his friend? Sadness at his departure, and happiness to recall the beautiful bond of deep friendship between two sons of the Society.
My first meeting with Fr Jerome was a coincidence: I had arrived in India and Bishop Perini had brought me to the Bishop's House in Mangalore. On December 3, 1921, he took me to Rosario Cathedral for the ordination of Fr Jerome. The latter gave me a picture-souvenior of his ordination, and with him I could exchange only a few dry words in Latin, for I knew no English. Then separation - he to Bolar as parish priest, and I for philosophy in the Pulini Hills. Suddenly in 1924, Fr Jerome appeared at Shembaganur to begin his novitiate. I remembered him, greeted him with a few more words, perhaps in pidgin English - then separation again; for between the novices and philosophers "erat mare magnue" - till December 1926, when Fr Jerome and I would travel together to Kurseong. During this journey I began to see the noble and charitable nature of the Father.
After two interesting years together, though with no special intimacy, Fr Jeorme was posted at Jeppu in various capacities; and we did not meet again till 1945, when he was appointed P.P. of the Mother of God cathedral parish at Calicut. In him as parish priest, I admired his zeal, his devotion to duty, his loving and gentlemanly dealings with all without discrimination, and especially his respectful & kind ways with his collaboratiors. The priests of the diocese, the religious and the parishioners had great appreciation, respect and love for him.
When the new bishop of Calicut Mgr Patroni fell ill in 1948, Fr Jerome was appointed Vicar General of the Diocese. Later, when the Bishop had to be away in Italy, and the First Plenary Council of India was announced, Fy Jerome was delegated to represent the diocese. At that time, we both happened to be together, lodged in the same Clergy House near the cathedral in Bangalore.
During the absence of the bishop, all diocesan business devolved on Father. It is then that I admired his noble character: he never put forward his claims as VG; he consulted me in everything, and fully trusted me, and would often say very cordially, "It's all right!" (The expression "OK"came later to him.)
At this point, I must mention something unknown to the public so far: When Bishop Proserpio had died in 1945, the Terna for the new bishop was sent to Rome, and it was my astonished joy to see the name of Fr Jerome among the three "papabili"!
Our final reunion took place in 1955, in the Seminary in Mangalore, where we lived together for twenty years. Here Fr. Jerome filled many important posts: professor of pastoral theology, Logic and Latin. In 1959, he was director of the prestigious Gentimemen's Sodality and of the Catholic Club, offices he held for many years. He was a much sought-after confessor of priests, and preacher, especially on the occasion of parish feasts. Though Father's was not a speculative intellect, yet by serious application he obtained a mastery of English, and Latin and Logic, and of the niceties of Rhetoric. After Fr Nana's death, he became spiritual director & confessor of the Jesuit community.
In 1959, Fr Jerome experienced severe pain in the throat, and cancer was suspected. The famous late Dr Borges of Bombay, to whom he went for treatment, sent him back to us fully cured. A few years later he had serious trouble with the only sound eye he had. (How he lost the first eve I do not know.) I sent him to the American visiting occulist in Patna, who healed his eye. (Later, however, his eyesight began to grow dim, and he was permitted to ay the Mass "De Beata" in Latin, which he memorised.
Two festive occasions marked his life the golden jubilee of his priesthood in 1971 and of his life in the Society in 1974: Few, I think, have had their jubilees in this order!
The end of a quiet and edifying life came as a surprise to all. On December 17, when I went to wish him goodbye, perhaps for the last time, I asked him how he felt. With his usual smile he said, "I'm OK." Yet barely ten days later there came the collapse at Puttur, his treatment at Kankanady Hospital, a quick succession of ups and downs, till on January 12 another hemorrhage put him in a state of coma, from which he never recovered. On the 25th, at 1 pm, the good Father winged his flight to the "House of the Father," for he had in due time expressed his full compliance with God's will.
The cable that brought me the news of his passing away shook me not a little. Another friend and co-worker has been called to his reward; another stalwart of the Province has joined the Society in heaven, leaving a great void especially in the Seminary and in the Diocese of Mangalore.
The main concelebrants at the funeral mass were Bishop Basil of Mangalore and Bishop Patroni of Calicut. Over 60 priests concelebrated, and well over 2000 people formed the congregation. Among those who had come from Calicut were Frs Delzotto and Pullen, Bros Magagnotti and Giusto. At the graveyard, Bishop Basil expressed his condolences to the Jesuits of Karnataka who had lost five members within two months. He added that the example of Fr Jerome and the message of his life endure in hearts of all who have been trained by him. Bishop Patroni extolled Fr Jerome's sense of dedication & his services to the diocese of Calicut.
As I think of him now, I realise how well he lived in his ways, in his manners and in his speech the description of the true Christian Gentleman given by Newman. But more than this, he was a very good religious: faithful to God, faithful to the Society, kind and respectful to all. In particular, he was the loving brother of his confreres in the Society. It is well known that on the birthday or feast day of each one, he would pen in his bold & upright handwriting a card conveying his wishes and prayers. That handwriting was indeed symbolic loyal character, a Character perhaps not for daring new endeavours, but strong in that prudence and spiritual wisdom which is often more valuable & appreciated, in responsible circles.
Written by an Italian Jesuit. Name is not mentioned in the typed manuscript.
Source: Archives of the Karnataka Jesuit Province, Loyola Mandir, Bangalore.
