Patna Archdiocese

Vol. XXXIV                                February – March  2014                       No.2

Archbishop (Emiritus) Most Rev. Benedict J Osta, SJ died in Kurji Holy Family Hospital, Patna, on 30 January 2014 and his mortal remains were laid to rest at XTTI Jesuit cemetery on 01 February 2014. We salute you dear “Swamijee” for all that you have been and have done for the development and growth of the Church in Bihar. Though we miss you as you are not with us physically, we know that you are in Heaven with the Good Shepherd interceding for us for continued blessings on the People in Bihar. (Detailed report attached)

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Archbishop’s Program

March

01 – 02          : Centenary Celebration – St. Albert’s College

03       AM     : Shahpur – Golden Jubilee of Sr. Prerita CJ

          PM      : Get-together with Priests

4        AM     : Eucharistic Celebration

5                  : Bankipur – Ash Wednesday

7                  : Meeting with Gonzaga Sisters

8 – 9             : Aurangabad – School Annual Day

10 – 15          : Office

15       PM      : Tripolia – Graduation

18       AM     : Fairfield – Mass at Assumption Convent

          PM      : Meeting with the Junior Clergy

19 – 20          : Workshop of Social Teaching of the Church – PJD Commission

21                 : Barbigha, Sheikhpura

22                 : Sikandra

23                 : Gulni

25                 : Roh, Rajgir

29                 : Gaya, Bodh Gaya

31                 : Nawada

April

01                 : Nawada

02 -04           : Barh                               

Archbishop William with His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal P. Toppo as the main celebrant for the Eucharistic celebration, conducted the funeral services of Archbishop (Emeritus) Benedict J Osta SJ on 01 February evening. The same night he went to Mokama and was the main celebrant for the Shrine feast on 02 February. He went to Pala, Kerala on 03 February and participated in the XXXI Plenary assembly of the CBCI. He visited some of the families of our Priests, stayed with Fr. Xavier Varghese overnight on 12 February, before he returned to Patna on13 February. On 14 February, he went to Chuhari (Bettiah) and ordained Deacon Mukti Clarence SJ on 15 February. He returned to Patna on 16 February and had a couple of meetings with the Grupo India Benefactors from Italy. He was at Rajgir for the Milan Samaroh and commissioning of BCC animators on 22 February. He was the main celebrant for the Parish Day celebrations at Harnaut on 23 February. He travelled by train to Basauni on 24 February. On 26 February, he was at Nawada with the consulters for a meeting and returned to Patna on 27 February. He was the main celebrant at the thirtieth-day Memorial Eucharistic Celebration for late Archbishop Benedict on 28 February 2014 soon after which he left for Ranchi for the centenary celebration at St. Albert’s College. On his return on 3 March he was at Shahpur to wish Sr. Prerita CJ on the occasion of her Golden Jubilee celebration and came back to Patna by the same evening. He was busy with visitors who came to wish him on 4 March ahead of his Birthday as this year his birthday, 05 March coincided with Ash Wednesday. On that day, Archbishop William was the main celebrant at the Morning Mass at Bankipur. He went to Aurangabad on 8 March for the School function and returned to Patna on 9 March. He has planned visitation of the parishes during Lent apart from the other important engagements in Patna itself.    

People, Places and Events:

Harnaut Parish: on 23 February Harnaut Parish celebrated Parish Day with much fanfare. The Archbishop was the main celebrant for the Holy Eucharist. He was led by the Parish band-party from the priests’ house to the school hall where the Sunday Mass was held. He was welcomed with arati, Tika, washing of hands and garland. During the Holy Eucharist he administered the sacrament of confirmation to 45 people including children with a crowd of about 600 people as participants. Soon after, one hour cultural program was staged by different groups of the Parish followed by a fellow-ship meal. The people themselves contributed to meet the expense of the celebration. Earlier on February 13, Loyola School, Harnaut, celebrated the school annual day during which its first School magazine “Arshjyoti” was released. The Samachar extends our congratulations to the Parish Priest Fr. Jose Edavazhy, Fr. Prabhudas, Sr. Annie, their collaborators and the parishioners for both the meaningful celebrations.   

Fr. Christuraj after his Sabbatical, returned to Patna on 6 February. The Archbishop has appointed him as teacher at St. Mary’s Minor Seminary and Co-pastor of St. Mary’s Church Chakaram with immediate effect. With Fr. Mariamlal, he will also promote Basic Christian Communities in the Archdiocese. The appointment has been effective from the third week of February.

Fr. Alex V the Director of Krus Veer and the Krus Veer Animators had a meeting on January 12 at Hilsa for an evaluation of the various Krus Veer activities during the year 2013. He is now attending a renewal program at Atmadarshan. The new Director of Krus Veer, Fr. Asit Lakra will take charge in May 2014.

Fr. Mariam Lal Reports: Five days of BCC training program of the third phase at the Bijhan level was held at Bokaro City Parish from 31 January to 4 February 2014. There were 100 participants for the program including the nine participants under the leadership of Fr. Mariam Lal from the Archdiocese. Sr. Christine HC and her team conducted the program. It was indeed a very enriching experience for all the participants.

Barh: At the invitation from Fr. A. Raja, a free eye-camp was conducted by Dr. Rajeev Prasad at Barh Parish campus for the parishioners on 9 March 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in which more than 350 people had free eye check-up. 300 of them were given free spectacles and 50 were advised to go for cataract operation with minimum charge next month.

Six Jesuit novices from Lucknow were in Barh from 04 February to 08 March for village experience. They in 3 groups of two each stayed in six villages for 15 days each, teaching catechism to the children,  meeting and listening to the villagers. The Samachar express our gratitude to Fr.  Vimal SJ (Patna) and to Fr. Anil Kispotta SJ (Delhi) who accompanied them during this program.  

Barbigha: A short BCC training program was held at Barbigha Parish on 16 February. After enthroning of the Bible, Fr. Mariam Lal introduced BCC to the 60 participants from the villages. He explained the seven steps of the BCC meetings and the urged participants to be effective witnesses of our faith-experience through BCCs in the village.

Jehanabad: The Charismatic team under the leadership of Fr. Satyaprakash Arisseril SJ conducted a three day retreat at Jehanabad from 7 March to 9 March. Apart from the parishioners, there were about 50 people from Gandharmatt and yet some 10 people from Sonabigha, Gaya for the retreat.

Rajgir Mission organized for the first time a commissioning of BCC animators during a Milan Samaroh of 29 villages on 22 February. About 500 people were present for the program. The theme of the Samaroh was “Life of Communion: Faith and witness based on Word of God”. The program began with a procession from the main road to the Church. Archbishop William was the main celebrant for the Holy Eucharist during which he commissioned the BCC animators. A short cultural program by the children of the place followed after which all present shared a fellow-ship meal. We express our sincere congratulations to Fr. P. Singarayan and his team for so beautifully organizing the program.   

Fr. Kuldeep was on a short home visit from 20 to 26 February, and Fr. Thomas Cheruvally who is on holidays is expected to be back in Patna by the third week of March 2014. Fr. Jose Chirackal is attending a renewal program at Bangalore. Fr. Thomas Olikathotty went on a short home visit on 28 February and Fr. Dominic Peter  rushed to Chennai to take care of an academic intricacy.

All the Regents in the Archdiocese had two more monthly recollections after the one they had in the month of January this year. The first was at Stephen’s Church, Danapur and directed by Fr. Peter Ignatius, S. J. on 8-9 February. Sr. Alka SND and Sr. Beena RA also had a sharing session with the Brothers on “Gender sensitivity’. The second was on 8-9 March and directed by Fr. Sebastian Puthenpura. They were staying at Sewa Kendra while the talk and Holy Eucharist was at Prerana Chapel. Fr. Sebastian gave them the talks based on his priestly experience, while Fr. Anthony Panangatt heard their confession and was the main celebrant for the Holy Eucharist. We express our sincere thanks to Fr. Peter Ignatius, Sr. Alka SND, Sr. Beena RA, Fr. Sebastian Puthenpura and Fr. Anthony Panangatt for lending their share in the formation of our Seminarians. We gratefully acknowledge the love and concern of Fr. James Shekhar, the In-Charge of formation and his associates, who organize such programs for our Seminarians.

The request of Bro. Lawrence from Kerala and Bro. Lourdu from Tamil Nadu to join the Archdiocese has been accepted by the Archbishop. Bro. Lawrence will be going for his Philosophy studies in Varanasi, while Bro. Lourdu will be doing his regency in the Archdiocese.

Fr Devasia Chirayil had a cataract removal from his left eye on 18 February at Dr. JS Agarwal’s clinic. The operation was successful and he is now at the Archbishop’s House with a new pair of glasses. In his own words “I gratefully appreciate Archbishop William for his TLC, the Fathers at the Archbishop’s House - for their MLC (Maternal Loving Care), to my brother-priests and well wishers for their BLC (Brotherly Loving Care) and to the staff at the Archbishop’s House for their FLC (Fraternal Loving Care) during and after the operation”. He may need some more of the same later, he says, since he is to have a similar operation on his right eye within a couple of months. Since 17 February Fr. Jose Mattathilani has been staying at Patliputra and taking care of the pastoral needs. He will continue to be there till Fr. Devasia returns from a short home visit he has planned from 26 March to 10 April.

Daughters of St. Joseph, the Worker (DSJ) who have been in the Archdiocese for the past  four  years looking into the feasibility of establishing a house in Patna are moving out to a house purchased at Coimbatore by their founder Most Rev. Joseph Pastor Neelankavil CMI. The three Sisters and the three postulants will be leaving Patna on 13 March. The Archdiocese greatly appreciates their contribution to the Church during their stay both in Patliputra and Maner and extends our prayerful wishes for God’s continued blessings on Sr. Tresa John DSJ and her companions in the new place.    

MMI Fathers Fr. Wilfred, Fr. Paul Raj and Fr. Vincent after being in the Archdiocese for pastoral experience have returned to Meerut. While Fr. Wilfred was in Basauni for about two years, Fr. Paul Raj was in Sikandra for about a year, and Fr. Vincent was in Biharsharif for six months. We appreciate your generosity for being with us and extend our good wishes in your new assignment.   

Deacon Augustine Hembrom is back in the Archdiocese after a month’s physiotherapy treatment at Rampur Hat, and he says he is almost completely cured of his ailment.

Fr. James George was having chest pain since a week. It is reported that though during the day the pain would persist, it diminished at night. He went in for the usual tests and an E.C.G. and the doctors said that there seems to be nothing serious. He was in Patna with Fr. A. Thambi on 6 March to meet and get a second opinion from the cardiologists in PMCH. The doctors here too could not find anything serious with his heart. But he is advised to go for a TMT and further investigation. Do keep him in your prayers.

Sr. Louisa FSAG and Sr. Josephine Mary Stella FSAG both general Councilors of Gonzaga Sisters from Pondicherry were In Patna to look into the possibilities of starting a unit of their congregation in the Archdiocese. They arrived here on 7 March and the same day they accompanied by Fr. Christuraj, visited Jehanabad, Masaurhi, Gandharmatt and Gaya. They seem to be keen on establishing a unit at Gandharmatt. We extend our hearty welcome and prayerful support as you plan to be in the Archdiocese in the near future.    

Archbishop Benedict J Osta SJ remembered:

On the occasion of the 30^th day of Archbishop Benedict’s departure, a memorial Mass was organized at Queen of the Apostles Church, Kurji on February 28, 2014. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J. was the main celebrant with 26 priests as concelebrants and about 800 people including religious and laity as participants. Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J. lit the candles and paid floral tribute before a well decorated portrait of late Archbishop Benedict, placed at the portico of the church. After the priests, Religious and the faithful present also showered flowers on the portrait, the portrait was carried into the Church in a procession. Fr. Sushil Sah, S.J. a novice when Archbishop Benedict was the Novice Master at XTTI gave the homily. Sharing his personal experiences with the Archbishop, he said that Archbishop Osta had a great devotion to Our Lady and fostered the same in his novices. His love for people was very evident during the great flood of 1975. He kept all his novices close to his heart till his death. He added that the late Archbishop was a man of letters. He wrote a number of hymns and two plays in Hindi. After the Holy Eucharist Archbishop William D’Souza, S.J., cutting the ribbon and placing a portrait of the late Archbishop in the Parish Community hall, declared that henceforth, the hall would be known as Archbishop Benedict J. Osta Memorial Community Hall, Thereafter all were served tea and snacks sponsored by Mr. Glen Galstaun, the director of St. Dominic Savio School, Patna.

Information:

St. Xavier’s College of Education, Patna: Application forms for admission to B.Ed course for academic session 2014-2015 will be given out from the college office between 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon from 31 March to 17 April 2014. Candidates with at least 50% (Total aggregate) marks and above in the Bachelor’s/Master’s degree with at least two school subjects (English, Hindi, Mathematics, Botany+ Zoology, Physics+Chemistry, History, Civics, Economics and Geography) at the graduation level are eligible to apply> Forms can also be downloaded from the college website: www.sxcepatna.edu.in. The cost of the application form+ tests is Rs. 750/- (Rupees Seven Hundred Fifty only). Filled up forms need to be submitted at the college office. Entrance Test will be on 4 May, while the interviews and Group discussions will be on 05-07 May. 2014. List of selected candidates will be published on 15 May and the dates of admission will be from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on 29-30 May 2014. Classes will commence on 03 July 2014. For details contact St. Xavier’s College of Education, Digha Ghat P.O. Patna 800 011 or the college website. 

College of Nursing, Kurji Holy Family Hospital is starting the new session of Basic BSc. Nursing Course (4 Years) and Post Basic B.Sc Nursing (2 years after GNM) from 01 July 2014. Application forms for admission are available from 01 March to 15 May 2014 from the College office (8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m.) and on the college website: www.kujiholyfamilyhospital.org.com/bsc.htm. The cost of the application form for each of these courses is Rs. 500/- In case the application is taken from the website, you will have to send Rs. 500/- by cash or DD drawn in favour of KHFHS College of Nursing payable at Patliputra Branch, Patna with the filled up application. Pease note that eligibility for Post B.Sc Nursing is GNM Pass and for Basic B.Sc Nursing course is +2 or its equivalent examination with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and English subjects having minimum 45% aggregate marks.

The Chrism Mass this year is scheduled to be held at Queen of the Apostles Church, Kurji on Thursday 10 April 2014 at 5:00 p.m.

MOST REV BENEDICT J OSTA, S. J.

Born                                         15 August 1931

Entered the Society of Jesus         20 June 1950

Ordained                                   09 June 1963

Final Vows                                 15 August 1976

Episcopal Ordination                   21 June 1980

Appointed as Archbishop            11 July 1999

Heavenly  Abode                       30 January 2014

Archbishop Emeritus Benedict J Osta, SJ was a spiritual person who loved God, the Church and his people of Bihar. His life radiated the love of Jesus. Through his leadership and administrative skills he built the Church of Bihar and contributed much to the growth and development of the State by promoting educational and health services in the rural areas and made these affordable for the Dalits and other marginalized and poor/weaker sections of the society. This true shepherd of his people has now entered into the glory of his Master.

“Swamiji” as he was affectionately and respectfully addressed, was born as a beloved son of John Osta and Anna Osta, 16 years before, but on the day and month on which India would become an independent nation. He had his primary education in St. Stanislaus Middle school, Bettiah and High School education in KR High School, Bettiah. After his novitiate and Juniorate in St. Stanislaus College, Sitagarh, he did his intermediate studies in St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi and B.A. in Rajasthan University, Jaipur. His Philosophy study was in De Nobili College, Pune and Theology in Est Baden College, Indiana, USA. He also did M.A. in Sanskrit from the University of Chicago and Journalism from Marquette University, USA. The tertianship in Sitagarh completed his Jesuit formation..

He was Socius to the Novice Master from 1967 to 1969, Novice Master from 1969 to 1976 and Vicar General of Patna Diocese from 1976 to 1980. He was consecrated as the Bishop of Patna on 21 June 1980. “Well done, good and faithful servant, you have been faithful in a few things, I will put you in charge of many more things; enter into the joy of the master” (Mt 25:21). These words of the Gospel became literally true in 1999 when his leadership of the Patna diocese was given recognition by the universal Church, with the elevation of Patna as an Archdiocese and Bishop Benedict J. Osta as its first Archbishop; Bettiah, Bhagalpur, Buxar (bifurcated from Patna in 2006), Muzaffarpur and Purnea were made suffragans.

His novices adore him for the depth of spiritual foundation he laid in them. The Patna diocesan clergy found an affectionate father figure and an able leader in him; the religious experienced him as a modern prophet. And, the people of God (Christians as well as non-Christians) encountered a true person of God, a maha-atma in him. Of the 82 years of his life on earth, for 63 years he was a Jesuit, 50 years a Priest, 33 years a Bishop (27 years in office) including 14 years as an Archbishop (8 years in office), till he retired on 09 December 2007 and shifted to XTTI for a life of prayer and deeper communion with God whom he had loved and served all his life. Neither would it be possible to count the number of churches, schools, hospitals/health centres/dispensaries, presbyteries and such that he built or the institutions that he established ( such as Tapovan – Cloistered Carmel Convent in Patna or the Rosarian Brothers’ Monastery in Sasaram) nor is it perhaps appropriate even attempting to do so. It may be sufficient to just to say that he was true shepherd of his flock.

Archbishop Benedict was deeply devoted to his flock even in adverse and trying situations. His deep concern for the mission centers led him to work tirelessly for the well being of the clergy, Religious, laity and the people of all denominations under his care. He dwelt on every possible apostolic venture. The number of parishes and mission stations grew substantially with considerable increase in the number of diocesan clergy and local vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

At his retirement, he moved to XTTI from the Archbishop’s House in 2007. He was keeping physically well, though he started losing his memory since 2013. Due to his deteriorating health condition and regular slipping into coma, he had to be admitted in Kurji Holy Family Hospital on 24 January 2014. He was put on intra-venous fluid transfusion as he was not able to take any solid food. He breathed his last at the early hours on 30 January 2014. This again is not a mere coincidence, we believe,  as 30 January is the day of the martyrdom of Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation – Being born on the day the Nation gets independence, and died on the day the Father of the Nation breathed his last.

The mortal remains of Archbishop Benedict J Osta SJ were kept in a mobile mortuary at the Kurji Holy Family Hospital since 30 January till 11.00 a.m. on 1 February. People of all walks of life, government officials, friends from civil authority and police administration, flocked in to pay homage and floral tributes to their beloved leader. At 12: 10 p.m. on 1 February, the mortal remains of Archbishop Benedict in a beautifully decorated coffin were placed in an ambulance and taken in a procession to the Kurji Parish Church, with Priests, Religious, lay people and the police escorting the ambulance in other vehicles. The coffin with the body of His Grace Benedict was received by the clergy, Religious, his own family members and the laity at the Parish Church and was kept till 2:00 p.m. for the people to pay their respects to the departed soul.

The funeral services began at 2:00 p.m. The entrance procession was led by over 160 priests, Bishops of Buxar, Dumka and of Bhagalpur, the Jesuit Provincials of Patna and Delhi Province, Vicar Generals of Hazaribagh, Patna, and of Muzaffarpur, administrators of Bettiah and Varanasi Dioceses with His Eminence Telesphore Cardinal P Toppo as the main celebrant. A crowd of over 3500 people including Religious, lay people, civil servants, people from the administration, and a whole lot of dignitaries from Bihar together with the relatives – brothers, nephews, nieces, etc of Archbishop Benedict - was present for the funeral services. Fr. Jerome Dungdung, the Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral, Bankipur, giving a profile of Archbishop Benedict said that “during his 63 years of life as a Jesuit, 50 years of life as a priest, 33 years of life as a bishop – 19 years as a Bishop, 8 years as an Archbishop in administration – has brought the local Church to greater heights of glory which everyone in the Archdiocese has experienced and witnessed”.

After the Holy Eucharist, Most Rev. William D’Souza SJ together with Bishop Sebastian Kallupura and Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur conducted the funeral service. The Mortal remains of His Grace Benedict were again kept in the Church for half an hour for the people to pay their homage. Later, the body was carried in an ambulance accompanied by a caravan of vehicles to XTTI, where he was laid to rest in a tomb close to late Bishop Augustine Wildermuth SJ, his mentor and confidante. 

May Jesus, whom Benedict J Osta served so faithfully on this earth receive him for eternal reward in heaven! Swamijee, you have been a light which has enlightened our path in following Jesus and serving His people and we know that you will be interceding for us now from Heaven and for greater blessings on the Church in Bihar. You will always live in our hearts. Amen.  (SAMACHAR VOL. XXXIV/NO.2 2014).