"History is a storehouse of human experience and as such an irreplaceable educator. For sure knowledge of the past lets us draw upon earlier human experience, facilitating our leap into the future with a sense of ease and confidence." Fr Vijay Kumar Prabhu, SJ in"The Burning Bush: The History of Karnataka Jesuit Province"by Fr Devadatta Kamath, SJ
Mundgod is a small town located in the reserved forest area in the northern part of Karnataka. In 1980 Fr. Mathew Lewis went as parish priest of St. Rita’s Church, with a small number of Catholics. In 1991, with the help of the Charity Sisters, Fr Lewis started a school in the Church premises to educate the tribals (Siddhis, Gollas, and Gowlies) and Dalits who live in small villages deep in the forest. In 1993 under the able leadership of Fr. Lawrence Pinto the school was shifted to the present location (Karaginakoppa). In 1994 the primary school turned into a High School and then a composite PU College in 2003.
In view of preparing good teachers the Jesuits started a D. Ed College in 2004. However due to the changing policies of the government and lack of numbers, it was closed down. Fr. Lawrence Pinto followed a different education system. Along with the regular subjects he introduced additional subjects like farming, dairy, carpentry, etc., so that the students after their studies go back to their villages and help in rebuilding their village and make the villages self-sufficient. Instead of housing them in large hostel buildings, a cottage system was introduced. Each cottage had around 30 children with a kitchen, a garden and a warden. It was a new concept – school with a difference.
Loyola Vikas Kendra, a social action centre, works for the integral development of the poor, fighting for justice, building up their self-esteem, restoring human dignity, creating awareness, promoting health and hygiene, releasing them from the fetters of money lenders and eradicating poverty in Mundgod and HangalTalukas of Uttara Kannada and Haveri districts. This centre runs 5 village hostels, mainly for the Primary and the High school students.
St. Rita’s Parish has 3 sub-stations. The Catholics in two sub stations – Mainahalli and Ugginkere are mainly Siddhis who are descendants of African slaves brought to Goa by the Portuguese, and hence bear African features. Another substation is at Malagi. The parish at Mundgod looks after the socio-pastoral development of the people. St. Lawrence Church at Hangal is another parish under the supervision of the Mundgod Mission.
It was in 1991 at the request of the Diocese of Belgaum; Vijayapura (aka Bijapur) Jesuit Mission was started by the Jesuits of Karnataka Province. The main task of the Jesuits was to take care of the Catholic community of St. Anne’s Church, Bijapur. The first Jesuits who pioneered the mission were Fr. Ambrose D’Mello and Fr. Denis Alvares. Having made a situational analysis of the city, the Jesuits discovered that Bijapur was dominated by slums. Seeing the plight of the slum dwellers, they made an intervention in the slums of Vijayapura trying to raise the consciousness of the people and organizing educational and conscientization programmes for the marginalized. As they went ahead, they discovered a lot of child labourers in the whole of the district and began a Child Labourers School which was well recognized in the district.
After the diocese of Gulbarga was established in 2005, Vijayapura became a Deanery with the Mission Superior as the Dean. It comprises the missions of Vijayapura, Devarahipparagi, Indi, Kanakal, Sindagi, Almel, Muddebihal and Talikote. Seeing the immensity of the task, they sought the collaboration of other religious. Nine religious congregations of women accepted the invitation. They are spread out in the whole of the deanery of Vijayapura. The religious congregations there now are: Society of Jesus (SJ), Sisters of Charity (SCCG), Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny (SJC), Sisters of St. Joseph of Tarbes (SJT), Daughters of the Heart of Mary (DHM), Sisters of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (JMJ), Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM), Ursuline Franciscan Sisters (UFS) and Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons (SJL). Although each of the congregations/priests functions autonomously in the area assigned to them, they work as a team with a common vision, objectives, strategies and plan of action.
In Vijayapura and Sindagi, the Jesuits are involved in the following works: pastoral work through a parish (the only parish in the whole of the district of Vijayapura), securing basic amenities for the slum dwellers in 65 slums, technical education for the rural school dropouts, rehabilitation of Devadasis and commercial sex workers and the education of their girl children, formal education of the children of the slum dwellers, Devadasis, HIV infected and migrants, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, HIV/AIDS awareness in the slums of Vijayapura and Community Care of the HIV/AIDS infected persons of North Karnataka districts.
SINDAGI
Loyola School CBSE Sindagi began in 2011 as Loyola KG School at 'Sangama' Social Work Center near Jnana Bharati School, Sindagi. It was later shifted to the present new campus in 2013. The construction work of the school began on 16 October 2013.
Rev Fr Lawrence Pinto SJ was the founding father. Later Fr. Eric Mathias SJ served till 16 August 2014. Then came Dn. Lancy Dais who left in December and was replaced by Fr. Kanikyaraju as the Manager of the School.
The Year 2014 was one of the most significant years of Loyola School, Sindagi as it received an independent building for its classes. March 08, 2014 was the historic day as the building was dedicated to the students in the presence of our benefactor Rev Fr. W. Molinski SJ of German Province. Most Rev. Dr Robert Miranda, Bishop of Gulbarga, Mr. Oscar Fernandes, Minister of Road and Surface Transport Government of India, Mr. M.B. Patil, Minister of Irrigation, Government of Karnataka, Fr. Francis Serrao SJ Provincial of Karnataka and a large number of Jesuits and other well-wishers were present.
On 1 st of July 2015 the foundation stone for the faculty house Loyola Nivas was laid. In the month of September. a new computer lab with 35 computers was made available for the students of Loyola School. New Bus to Loyola School Sindagi was purchased on 18th May with the generous contribution of Rheinik; parish in Switzerland with the help of Fr Toni Kurmann. New play area for Loyola School Sindagi was constructed in the month of March 2015.
In 2017,the secondary school building work began in the campus. The Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyons were the collaborators. Later the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters (UFS). In the year 2018, Sr Milagrine UFS took over as the HM of Loyola School Sindagi. Little forest in the campus was named as 'Loyola Vana'.
In the year 2021, Fr Cyril Castelino was appointed as the new Principal of Loyola School. Presently Fr Lancy Fernandes SJ is the Principal since 2022.
Fr Ferroli who passed away in Italy on 4th October 1970 at the ripe old age of 84, was one of the great luminaries of the former Mangalore Mission. Born in Italy on 13th November 1887, he did his early studies in the Diocesan Seminary. He entered the Society in January 1906 and did his novitiate at Soresina and later his first year of philosophy at Cremona. In 1910 he was sent to England where he completed his philosophy at Stonyhurst and then joined the Liverpool University. Here he had for companion Fr Leo Proserpio, who became later the Bishop of Calicut.
The two of them came to India in 1913, reaching Mangalore on October 26. Fr Ferroli spent 3 years at St Aloysius College doing his regency and then proceeded to Kurseong for his theology. He was ordained in January 1920. At the end of the same year, Fr Ferroli was sent back to Italy and joined the University of Padua where he took his doctorate in Physics in1923. Back in India at the end of the year, he did his tertianship at Ranchi and then joined the staff of St Aloysius College in November 1924. For the next 10 years, he worked in Mangalore teaching Mathematics and religion in the College, running study clubs for boys or organizing public lectures and writing books.
After a brief stay in Italy in 1934, he was posted at Christ Hall, Calicut where he was first in charge of the carbon factory and then taught in the Juniorate. In 1937 Fr Ferroli was transferred to Bangalore where he took up work at St Joseph's College, which was then newly taken over by the Jesuits of the Mangalore Mission. Here he organized the first Summer School which continued to be held for a number of years.
During the Second World War, Fr Ferroli was interned in N. India, and was allowed to return to the Mission only in1945. He stayed for a time in Calicut and then went to Bangalore in 1947 where he took up work in St Joseph's College once more. Fr Ferroli returned to Italy in 1956 when he was long past the age for active work in the College. But he continued his labours in Italy, keeping himself busy with various forms of apostolic work almost till the end.
A highly intellectual man, Fr Ferroli was at the same time an assiduous worker. While fully occupied in teaching, he found time to write several books. The best known of these are his Studies in Christian Sanctity (a second edition was published under the title of 'The Queen's Call'), Ethics or Moral Science in three volumes, Jesuits in Malabar in two volumes, and Jesuits in Mysore. The two last show great research and scholarship and a sense of historical perspective.
An eloquent preacher, his sermons were always a delight to hear, while as a confessor he was greatly in demand. Seemingly absorbed in intellectual pursuits and grave-looking, he was at the same time an amiable man who kept the ball rolling during community recreation by his humorous stories. Above all, he was a man of prayer and great personal sanctity. It was a source of edification to watch him recite the breviary or his rosary – so great was his recollection. May God grant him the reward of his great labours.
Written by Fr Devadatta Kamath
in The Burning Bush Part II Volume 2, Pages 39-40, 2008 (Unpublished, Kar Province Archives).
The history of Pannur- Manvi Mission began when five young dynamic scholastics doing their theology came together one evening in the year 1998 to discern as to what they could do once they were ordained. After a long discussion and deliberation they felt that they should go to North Karnataka, the most neglected parts of the State, placing themselves at the hands of the Bishop, as their founder did five centuries ago. As a fruit of their deliberation 4 of them opted to do their diaconal ministry in the remote parishes of the Bellary diocese. One of them was St. Peter’s Church Jagir Pannur. Later they requested the Provincial that Jesuits take up the Pannur Parish for our pastoral and social involvement.
The Pannur – Manvi Mission was officially started in the year 2002 with Frs. Eric Mathias, Joseph Monteiro and Maxim Rasquinha as pioneers. The mission was inaugurated in 2003. With the view of uplifting the poor and discriminated people of Manvi Taluka, Loyola School was started in the year 2004 with 40 students on the roll. Today this school has grown by leaps and bounds, having 446 students, mostly Dalits, studying in this school in English medium. Further another school called the Xavier School with CBSE scheme began in 2007. The aim of this school is to facilitate Dalits also to study under the CBSE scheme, hitherto considered elitist. The growth of Pannur Mission seems unstoppable as the Pre- University College came up in 2010 and the degree college in 2012. The Pannur Mission today has Loyola School, Xavier School, Loyola PU and Degree College, Loyola Kapipaladi School, Loyola Hostels, Arrupe Boarding House, St Peter’s Church and a Social work Centre with 2351 students, 852 Hostellers, 151 collaborators and 12 Jesuits. (According to the 2023 KAR Catalogue)
History in detail
On 29th June 2002, when Frs. Maxim Rasquinha, Eric Mathias and Joseph Monteiro started the Mission with the blessings of late Bishop Joseph D'Silva of Bellary and our then Provincial Fr.Ronnie Prabhu SJ. Pannur was a small village with hardly any facilities available to the people who numbered around 1750 including scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and Muslims. Catholics were then 450 in number and all of them are Dalits.
There were minimal transport facilities. A Government bus used to come twice a day; no market facilities no medical help: for everything people had to go either to Manvi (18kms) or Pothnal (16 kms) away. There was a Primary school in which a cow used to rest regularly. One teacher was taking care of four classes in one room. The Dalit children had to sit in one corner.
Our Main intention in starting the Mission was to educate the children and thus work out a programme of liberation through education. We were aware of the various problems in the village including bonded labor, child labor and harassment from the land lords especially to women. So we planned to have self- help groups among women and gave them an awareness of their rights and privileges and the importance of educating their children. With the help of three Bethany Sisters we gave an intense coaching to 50 children collected from Pannur and surrounding villages. They gave the children plenty of input through play-way method with catchy songs and rhythms and plenty of games. Within a month we were able to put them in standard 1, 2 and 3 in different schools according to their talents.
Then we planned to start a school in Manvi. In 2004 we bought around 40 acres of land and put up a simple multi-purpose structure and started our school with 40 students. Little by little we built hostels and regular school for children; and now after 10 years we are proud to say that we have children from baby class to final year degree numbering around 1600.
In Pannur we felt a great urgency of a medical center to meet the needs of our suffering people. We had seen with our own eyes children and grownups dying of snake bite and other diseases. Similarly pregnant women were often unable to get timely help. So we started Loyola Medical Center in Pannur with Sisters of Josephs of Tarbes serving the sick people.
We have started an English medium school for children from LKG onward. At present we have classes up to 3rd standard inclusive, with the student’s strength around 250. This is also run by Sisters of the same group.Our people have been longing to have a new church in place of the old one which was badly affected by floods. We have built a lovely church quit spacious to accommodate 750 people. The people feel proud of it as they realize that their own dignity is enhanced by this house of prayer which constantly reminds them to reform and renew their lives
We have been simultaneously working at the grass root level visiting more than 60 villages, conscientizing women and empowering them to be leaders. We have taken the girl child with grater preference for education and empowerment. We are determined to educate the Dalit children and bring them up to the level of children of other communities. We are happy to note that some of our children are pursuing their medical, engineering and B.Sc nursing in different institutions in Mangalore and Bangalore.Most of our Dalit children are staying in Loyola Study House were opportunities for all round development are offered. Besides academics and games, human values are inculcated constantly so that they may become men and women for others and fulfill the motto of the school ' To reach the unreached'. There are at present 450 students in Loyola Study Home among whom around 200 are girls.
We hope that within the next 15 years many of our students will occupy important posts in society and work for the liberation of their less privileged brothers and sisters.
(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.
LOYOLA HIGH SCHOOL, Mt. St. Joseph, Bannerghatta Road
Inception and Expansion
BANGALORE JESUIT EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY runs many educational institutions. Loyola High School is one of them. The birth of LOYOLA SCHOOL in 1982 (at Mount Saint Joseph, Kalena Agrahara village) was a result of BJES’ policy of option for the poor. This is the first fully Kannada Medium School run by the BJES in a rural area. It had a humble beginning. It was started in a shed near Kalena Agrahara – to serve the need of so many villages in this vast area just outside the city in Bangalore South where there was no high school in a radius of more than 10 kms. There wasn't a necessity of starting a Primary School because there were already 03 Higher Primary schools in neighbouring villages.
Fr Alexis Menezes, the then Rector of Mt. St. Joseph, has left behind a manuscript in which he writes thus “The decision to open the School was taken at the Province Sammelan of May 1982. The permission to open a High School at Mount Saint Joseph was announced by the Govt in its gazette notification of July 7, 1982. In the application, the name of the school was proposed as Mount Saint Joseph High School, but soon after the school started, it was realised that for the students as well as the people of the area MSJ was a mouthful, too difficult to utter. A proposal was therefore made to the Department to change the name to Loyola high school. The proposal was approved and hence all documents pertaining to the school are under this name...... The 17 students who were admitted were....pulled out from their homes to have a sizable group to start with........The school began functioning from July 12, 1983..... besides special fee no other fees were charged”)
EXPANSION
Kannada medium Primary School: Since serving the poor was the priority, the school did not even think of introducing uniform to children. The poor deserve the best- so a beautiful building was constructed for the school in 1984. Soon the Jesuits discovered that the really poor did not come to our High School because they were not in a position to complete even the Primary School. Even from our own village of Kalena Agrahara very few reached the high school stage because quality education was not imparted in existing Primary schools around. Hence the Jesuits felt the need to start their own Kannada Medium Primary school. Accordingly, the Primary School was started in 1989. Got permission from the department for Kannada medium Highschool in 1982. Brought under Grant - In - Aid in 1989. There are 6 class rooms in Kannada medium High School 8A, B, 9A, B, 10A, B. All except 10B are under grant - in- aid. Though 10B was a natural growth then, till date it doesn't have even the permission. Hence for the govt purpose 10th std has only one section. Till date there has been a heavy rush for admissions for both the mediums. Only the poorest (urban poor, middle class and lower middle class) seek admission here. Because they are poor, as a policy we don't charge much fees. So far BJES is generously giving partial subsidy every year.
English Medium School: English Medium unaided 1st to 5th std: started in 2022.
Primary School: 6th and 7th Std: Started in 2012, 2013 respectively.
English medium High school: 8th, 9th & 10th std started in 2014, 2015, 2016 respectively.
PU College: Stated in 2008
Degree College: Stated in 2017
Presently, all the above units except Kannada medium Primary school, are functioning in one building, under one roof.
Managers of the School
Rev. Fr. A P Menezes SJ (1982-1988)
Rev. Fr Ronald Prabhu SJ (1988-1992)
Rev. Fr. Robert Cutinho SJ (1992-1993)
Rev. Fr. Anand Prabhu SJ (1993-2000)
Rev. Fr. Maxim Rasquinha SJ (2000-2001)
Rev. Fr. Fredrick D'Silva SJ (2001-2002)
Rev. Fr. Terrence Farias SJ (2002-2004)
Rev. Fr. Mohan SJ (2004-2006)
Rev. Fr. John D'souza SJ (2006-2008)
Rev. Fr. Henry Saldanha SJ (2008-2017)
Rev. Fr. Edward Rodrigues SJ (2017-2024)
Rev. Fr.
Headmasters of the School
Rev. Sr. Jone of Arc (1982-1983)
Rev. Sr. Mary Celina SSpS (1983-1998)
Rev. Sr. Therasa Rebello SSpS (1998-2008)
Rev Fr. Henry Saldanha S J (2008-2017)
Rev. Fr. Edward Rodrigues S J (2017- 2024)
Rev. Fr. Gerald Furtado SJ (2024-)
Message from the Provincial on Ruby Jubilee
Loyola High School, Bengaluru is in the 40th year of its existence and celebrating its Ruby Jubilee. A Jubilee is a celebration of not just a promise but also fulfilment, not only a sense of achievement and success, but the celebration of competence, compassion, creativity and commitment. Our stalwarts, Fr Julian Fernandes, the then Provincial and Late Fr Alexis Menezes, the then Rector, planted a small sapling of a High School on this Holy Ground in the year 1982 and it has now blossomed into a huge tree bearing a rich variety of fruits. It was a mission of mercy, a carriage of compassion, to reach out to the urban poor such as the children of agricultural labourers, quarry workers, weavers, garment industry workers, hotel waiters, maids, painters, coolies, garage workers and auto drivers who were pushed to the margins because of their poor economic and social situations.
As a mother cares for her child, this school has nurtured the lives of scores of students helping them to move forward as responsible persons in society. What delights me in the Management, Principal and teachers of Loyola High School is their unceasing enthusiasm, their love for those students from the periphery of society. What inspires me is the motivation of the students coming to the school with a dream on the horizon and becoming men and women for others. A Jubilee is a time to remember and be grateful to God for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us over the years. It is also a time to recall and cherish the fond memories as we journey through the corridors of its past. It is a time to remind ourselves that God is in-charge and we are his instruments of love and service. As we celebrate the Ruby Jubilee of Loyola High School, let’s look back and assess what has been accomplished and see the signs of the times and see what more can be done for the urban poor in the area. I wish the Management, Principal, staff and students every success.
A popular teacher and former headmaster of St Aloysius High School, (SAHS) Light House Hill, Mangalore Fr Lawrence Pinto SJ (88) passed away at a private hospital in the city on Thursday, December 16. He served in SAHS for 18 years, including 13 years as headmaster. He was also the headmaster of St Joseph’s Indian High School, Bangalore for three years where he retired. After his retirement, he founded Loyola primary, high school and PUC in Mundgod, Uttara Kannada district. Later, he was also responsible in beginning Loyola School, Sindagi, Bijapur.
The funeral rites will be held at Fatima Retreat House, Valencia, Mangalore on Friday December 17, at 4 p.m.
Born 20.04.1933; joined 01.07.1955; ordained 29.03.1967; final vows 15.08.1972; Died: 16.12.2021
Place Year
Joined NovitiateChrist Hall, Calicut 1955
First VowsChrist Hall, Calicut1957
OrdinationBendur, Mangaluru1967
TertianshipMount St Joseph1970
Final VowsSt Aloysius College, Mangaluru1972
RESPONSIBILITIES HELD IN THE SOCIETY
Type of work PlaceYears
Vocation PromoterGonzaga House1968-70
Asst. Head MasterSt Aloysius High School, Mangaluru1970-75
HeadmasterSt Aloysius High School, Mangaluru, 1975-88
Head Master St Joseph’s Indian High School, Bengaluru1988-91
A Tribute to My Headmaster Fr Lawrence Pinto Sj-a Jesuit Priest of Poor Students & People
By Alfie Dsouza, Team Mangalorean. -December 19, 2021
Mangaluru: It is said, “The best and the most beautiful things in the world, cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt within the heart”. These are my sentiments about Fr Lawrence Pinto Sj, my former Headmaster at St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru in the year 1975. The last time, me and few of my classmates of 1975 year met Fr Lawrence Pinto Sj was on 4 January 2020, after we all had a class reunion a day prior to meeting Fr Lawrence Pinto and Fr Denis Rasquinha Sj, (both who were Headmasters at St Aloysius High School) when they were residing at Fatima Retreat House, Bengaluru. We all loved our school days at St Aloysius and we still cherish and have fond memories of those yester years. We still remember our strict and disciplined Headmaster in Higher Primary school-Fr Denis Coelho SJ, fondly known as “Shivaji” (because of his appearance) and in High school, Fr Denis Rasquinha SJ and Fr Lawrence Pinto SJ , whom we all loved very dearly.
More than we were overjoyed to meet our mentors, the Jesuit duo were also extremely overwhelmed to see us and they happily interacted with us. Surprisingly, even at this Golden age, both Fr Rasquinha and Fr Pinto recognized us, and even remembered our names. A Popular teacher and former headmaster of St Aloysius High School, (SAHS) Mangalore Fr Lawrence Pinto SJ (88) died at Father Muller hospital in the city on Thursday, December 16. He had served in SAHS for 18 years, including 13 years as headmaster. He was also the headmaster of St Joseph’s Indian High School, Bangalore for three years where he retired. After his retirement he founded Loyola primary, high school and PUC in Mundgod, Uttara Kannada district. Later, he was also responsible for starting Loyola School, Sindagi, Bijapur. The funeral rites were held at Fatima Retreat House, Valencia, Mangalore on Friday December 17, at 4 p.m., where a large gathering of priests, nuns, former students, well-wishers, among others paid their final respect to a great soul.
Fr Lawrence’s primary ministry was education, but it was education with a difference. As our headmaster for three years, I have noticed him as a man of discipline but not one with an iron fist, and also strict. However, he was affectionate and polite with the students, and always helped those students coming from lower-class families. He had great love towards poor children. He always gave an opportunity to explain the mischief had or hadn’t created before taking a decision on the ways to punish, that too in a manner in which students learned not to commit the mistake again as well as learn a lesson from the punishment.
Fr Lawrence was simple, down-to-earth, and soft-spoken. Born on 20 April 1933 in Kinnigoly, he was the youngest of six children, hence very shy of meeting any strangers. He had only an elder sister with whom he used to go for daily mass. He joined the Society of Jesus congregation on 1 July 1955; did his Novitiate at Christ hall, he did his philosophy in Shembag and his theology in Kurseong. He was ordained on 29.03.1967; and his final vows on15.08.1972. He was a Vocation Promoter at Gonzaga House-1968-70; Asst. Headmaster at St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru-1970-75; Headmaster at St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru- 1975-88; Headmaster at St Joseph’s Indian High School, Bengaluru-1988-91; Parish Priest at Mundgod- 1991-99; Manager & Correspondent at Loyola School, Mundgod-1991-2005; Director at Vivek Pragathi, Haliyal- 2005-09; In charge at Sindagi Centre- 2009-12; Spiritual Ministry at Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru- 2012-14; Spiritual Ministry in Mundgod- 2014-15; Spiritual Ministry at Loyola, Mangaluru- 2015-16; and Convalesce at Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru- 2016-2021
Fr Jossie D’Mello SJ Socius Karnataka Jesuit Province, the PRO of Fr Dionysius Vas SJ the present provincial in his message says, “Fr Lawrence was simple, down-to-earth and soft-spoken. His primary ministry was education. However, it was an education with a difference. Working in the city institutions for several years, after his retirement, he moved to Mundgod to open a school for the poorest of the poor. His pioneering spirit, courage and enthusiasm was amply rewarded as this school grew from strength to strength becoming Loyola Institutions, a composite PU College welcoming children from all levels of Society. With the demise of Fr Lawrence, Karnataka Jesuit Province has lost a great lover of the poor, a pioneer in the field of education and a simple and compassionate human being. Our sincere condolences to the bereaved family members of Fr Lawrence Pinto and to the members of Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru. Adieu, Fr Lawrence, till we meet again. United in prayers”.
Fr Lawrence looked serious but he had a loving heart that cared for people. He had a good rapport with his priest friends and companions. He was the uniting factor among his family members. He always played a twofold role as pastor and teacher. He would reach the school before everyone else after duly attending his religious and social service work. He was a man of team work . All these things made him so special. it is learnt that Fr Lawrence suffered a lot during the fag end of his life. But he never complained anything about his sickness or pain. He was patient and endured all sufferings till the end. He was appreciative of all the help given to him by the doctors and nursing staff of Fr Muller hospital.
Fr Lawrence Pinto’s funeral was held at Divine Mercy Church/Fatima Retreat House on 17 December, with Mass concelebrated by Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha-the Bishop of Mangaluru Diocese, joined by Fr Dionysius Vas SJ-Provincial of Karnataka Jesuit Province; Fr Melwin Pinto SJ-Rector of St Aloysius Institutions, Mangaluru; Fr Maxim Misquith SJ-Superior and Director of Fatima Retreat House, Mangaluru; Fr Gerard Furtado Sj-Headmaster of St Aloysius High school, Mangaluru; Fr Cedric Prakash Sj- Social activist from Ahmedabad, Gujarath; Fr Francis Menezes Sj- the panegyrist; Fr Terence Farais Sj; Fr Norbert Fernandes Sj; Fr John Gomes Sj; Fr Alphonse Fernandes Sj; Fr Joseph Monteiro Sj; Fr Cyril D’mello Sj; Fr Pradeep Crasta Sj, among others.
In his homily, Fr Gerard Furtado Sj said, “In the Gospel John, we come across intimate relationship between God the Father and Jesus. People as the children of God have close relationship with God the Father. This relationship helps in building trust and faith in God. Those who believe in Jesus become one with the salvation work of God the Father. Fr. Lawrence Pinto SJ through his preferential option for the poor in the field of Education and Social work has been able to build faith-oriented relationship with God the Father”
Here are a few messages paying respect to Fr Lawrence Pinto Sj, of my classmates of batch 1975 at St Aloysius High School, Mangaluru :
” Fr Lawrence Pinto was a Good Teacher, Kind, Polite and Knew His Subject Well. He Taught Us Science. Once It so happened in the Eight Standard, I didn’t finish his Class Work and it was a little late. I was worried \about missing the School Bus and started crying. He was adamant and even boxed my ears.
Later I reached home and told my Mother what happened, and she stared at me and said "Madhu, Fr L Pinto is then a Good Teacher. He is keen that you learn the Subject ." What happened almost Fifty Years ago is still fresh in my Memory. He always called out Names twice. Madhukar, Madhukar. He was well Mannered and Spoke Less. Will Miss You Sir. You Are Now At The Feet Of The Lord. Rest In Eternal Peace..Om Shanti”- Madhukar S Rao
“Fr Lawrence lived for the underprivileged and touched their lives in many impactful ways. He saw to it that the Siddhis, Kurbas, Adivasi, Lambani tribes get education. He built the Loyola institutions in a backward area and was loved by students, teachers and parents. We will truly miss our beloved Headmaster. His contribution to society was immense. Here’s a hidden tidbit- Fr Pinto was the Godchild of my grandmother, Late Winifred Colaco and on that count, I was one of his favourites. Fr Pinto used to give me red swordtail and guppy fish and that’s how I took a keen interest in fish rearing when I grew up. No doubt he was a great priest and a great human being. May His Soul Rest In Peace”– Dr. Anand Pereira
Fr Lawrence had a bold, convincing voice. He was available to the pastoral and other needs of the people. Most of all, he was aware that his mission was educating youth and children, especially the poor. Fr Lawrence Pinto you have said goodbye to this world and we believe that you are now living in the company of God. And yet we trust that you will continue to live here on earth in our minds and hearts. Adieu! So we pray, “Eternal rest grant unto him oh Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon him and may the souls of the departed find rest and peace in you, Amen”.
Have vague memories of Fr. L Pinto as headmaster but do remember him as a disciplined person and students were careful in their behavior when he was around. He has really aged well could not recognise him. May his soul rest in peace.
Oliver Aranha, Mangalore/Kuwait/Toronto Fri, Dec 17 2021
Rest in peace Fr. Lawrence, a smiley face and a kind heart.
Alwyn, Mangalore, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Father was known to us as Fr. L Pinto, from our high school days at SAC, under his guidance, my life has changed a lot, he was always with me when i was going out of course. I cannot forget his advices and suggestions given to me in mounding my future. today, he is not with us, but his teachings are the guiding pillars in me. May his soul rest in peace.
Sandy, Udupi, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Rest in peace, good Father.
Ranjan, Bangalore, Fri, Dec 17 2021
ST.ALOYSIUS --days --Was a good School Headmaster -- - dedicated - disciplined - ensured School was kept to high standards - Studies -- Sports - Cleanliness - great school campus - --- It was a time when teachers were very much dedicated - Carrot / Stick -- approach -- and having good teaching skills - It was also a time --anyone who went for tuitions - was considered a duffer ---- Unlike these days -- -- Tuitions are a must and proudly spoken about -- MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE --
Sr Sybil, St Raymond's Convent, Vamanjoor, Fri, Dec 17 2021
May his soul rest in peace
Valerian Baretto, Bantwal Bangalore Rajajinagar, Fri, Dec 17 2021
We knew him right from 1977 the day he blessed our marriage engagement. We met him also in Bangalore. He helped many of the faculty members of St. Josephs Indian High School get houses in K.H.B.Colony in Bangalore. He is remembered by all his students and teachers. May his soul Rest in Peace. Our condolences to his Nephews and Nieces who are more than a dozen.
Edward Lobo, Agrar/Bangalore, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Fr Lawrence was our assistant headmaster from 1971 to 1973 and later became one of the longest serving headmasters of St.Aloysius High School. Was always smiling and very helpful. He taught us catechism in 9th std. Before he came to Mangalore he was teaching in Darjeeling and used to tell us about the winter over there. His selfless service in Mundgod will be remembered always. Rest in peace dear Father.
Boniface D'souza, Moodubelle/Bangalore, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Heartfelt condolences. May his soul rest in peace.
Rita pinto, B V Rd Ml, Fri, Dec 17 2021
May his soul rest in peace
Rita pinto, B V Rd Ml, Fri, Dec 17 2021
May his soul rest in peace
Alwyn Lobo, Bellevue, Washington State, USA, Fri, Dec 17 2021
O God, Thou didst raise Thy servant, Fr Lawrence Pinto, to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving him the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of human in Thine own Holy Name. We beseech Thee to reward his faithfulness and to forget his faults, admitting him speedily into Thy Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of his labours. This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord., Amen.
mohan prabhu, mangalore/canada, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Blessed art thou who has ministered to the poor. Rest in Peace, dear Fr, Pinto
Leeda Fernandes, Bellore - Denmark, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Very sad news. Fr Lawrence very Humble and kind to everyone. A great loss for Jesuit community. Heartfelt condolences to all jesuit fathers and the Family members. May Fr. Lawrences soul rest in Peace.
M. DSouza, Mangaluru/USA, Fri, Dec 17 2021
Fr Pinto treated everyone equally. English Medium/Kannada Medium, Christian/Non Christian, Rich/Poor, Urban/Rural he did not differentiate anyone. He taught me biology in 8th standard and was our headmaster in high school. I remember the assembly we used to have. In summer he used to visit all poor children's homes and evaluate the situation at home. I know many instances, where children used to approach him during lunch time and he used to give them cash for lunch. He used to give fee concession to all deserving students. This priest is a saintly figure. Calm, smiling and respectful. Thousands of Mangalorean students have been benefitted by his service. Rest in peace. Fr Pinto. You lived your life as per Lord's teachings. Enjoy your rewards in Heaven.
sanjay pinto, manglaore, Fri, Dec 17 2021
He was known as Fr L Pinto right? I was thinking from yesterday...I was also in X B standard in 1981..Nice priest and very disciplined...May his soul rest in peace...I was one of the beneficiaries of the mid day meal scheme of Jesuit Priest...they used to give us lunch coupon and we used to eat at Hotel Ritz in Shedigudda..full plate meals for Rs 1.20 till 1981
Ritapinto, B V Rd Ml, Thu, Dec 16 2021
May his soul rest in peace
DP, Balmatta / Burlington, MA, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Rest in Peace, Dear Father. You will be always remembered.
Alfred dsouza, Mangalore, Thu, Dec 16 2021
You will be always remembered dear fr. Thank you for giving me the best childhood memories. May God grant you eternal peace.
Drs.Rita and Lionel Dias, Mangalore, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Rest in peace Father-Will miss you at retreat house on walks rosary and prayers
Ben D'Souza Prabhu, Mangalore, Bombay Bandra now in Canada, Thu, Dec 16 2021
My dear Rev Fr Lawrence Pinto, you are called by our Gracious Lord to do quite a number of things there in our Lovely Paradise. Dear Lord do take care of our loving Priest to stay with you in your Kingdom for ever Many THANKS to you our dear brother and friend !!!
Joel D'Souza, Highlands, Mangalore. Thu, Dec 16 2021
Truly a people's priest. Humblest of the humble. Gentle, soft-spoken with that never-vanishing trademark smile. Enjoy the eternal hereafter Father.
ROY, mangalore, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Tough disciplinarian with a heart of gold. Had the time to listen to the student, made no distinction between students and treated all the same.20 years as Headmaster at st. Aloysius high school, he would have seen thousands pass through its hallowed portals. Rest in peace Fr. Lawrence and enjoy your heavenly reward.
LJS, Dakshina Kannada, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Rest in peace Fr. Lawrence 🙏🙏🙏
William Rodrigues, Milagres, Mangalore, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Very very nice Priest....humble and soft spoken. May his soul rest in peace.
Manohar, Udupi, Thu, Dec 16 2021
Rest in peace.
Vivian D Sousa Coove, Coove via Magundi Chikkamagalu 577160, Thu, Dec 16 2021
As a Headmaster he was a very good administrator, A loving Headmaster to students. He was accepting good suggestions given by teachers, Very democratic while conducting staff meeting. He worked among poorest of poor students in Mundgod Karwar district. May his soul rest in peace Vivian DSouza Ex teacher St Aloysius Highschool
Hegde, Bangalore, Thu, Dec 16 2021
A good School principal .. disciplined ... Encouraging both studies and sports ..good value systems.. It was a generation of no bias .. Class ..Rich or poor .. caste .. religion.. no special favours to catholics as claimed nowadays Needless politics .. May his soul rest in eternal peace ..
Fredrick Sequeira, Kallianpur, Thu, Dec 16 2021
"Well done my servant".You are instrumental in providing education to the poorest of the poor who I presume are now well placed. Jesus Most Merciful n Divine Saviour grant unto his soul eternal peace.
An Adieu to our favourite headmaster https://newskarnataka.com/more/tribute/an-adieu-to-our-favourite-headmaster/
