Expounding the theme of Incarnation Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas says, “It is a pity that we, who are the objects of that compassionate love, do not understand its intensity or nature. The saints understood this and made some return at least.” Continuing with the same theme he refers to St Mary Magdalene of Pazzi in whose heart Jesus had imprinted the words, “And the Word was made flesh.”
The life and mission of the Servant of God explicate that he too had a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation. I have often heard from our novice mistress, Sr Esperie that Mgr Raymond would burst into tears when he spoke of God becoming a human being.
His deeper understanding of the Incarnation urged him to involve in farsighted activities that brought about tremendous changes in the society and in the life of the individuals. While I was visiting our communities in Dakshina Kannada last month, I had an opportunity of conversing with various lay people and elderly sisters who would narrate the social developments and spiritual growth that have been brought about through the instrumentality of the Servant of God especially through his educational and pastoral activities among the poor.
I marvel at his pastoral zeal that urged him to cover such difficult terrain while he was a parish priest at Agrar. Contemplating to have more parish churches in the neighbouring areas and thus to incarnate Jesus in the hearts of people, he had acquired property in places, such as, Siddakatte, Nirkan and Allipade, weathering all the financial problems that beset him. He gathered all the means and used all his talents and ingenuity so that the Word takes Flesh in the hearts of the people. It was this vision that urged him to reach out to the poor and the needy irrespective of their culture, religion, caste and creed. He could not resist the power of the Word Incarnate who took flesh in his heart. He had to be like his Master who emptied himself even unto death.
All the services of the Servant of God were born out of love. The articles in the bulletin substantiate the same. On a priority basis we have included in this special issue, the translated obituary that appeared in Raknno, the Konkani weekly of the diocese of Mangalore, on the occasion of his passing away in 1960, and two of the condolence messages that Bethany received. In addition to that, the memories of three priests and a lay person of the diocese who knew him well demonstrate how they were inspired by the example and
the dedicated life of service of the Servant of God. They portray him as a Pastoral priest – Bona Pastor!
Indeed, he was a compassionate pastor who incarnated love and taught us the lesson of love.
-Sr M Lillis BS
Editor
