If, at one time, I thought it was my good fortune to have known Father Raymond Mascarenhas from such close quarters, being next-door neighbour to Bethany which is older to me by eight years, I am now convinced that it has been more than a blessing. At age 81 plus, to have been able to recollect, reminiscence and to present our beloved father Raymond to our readers, as I saw him, as I knew him, experienced love and awe for him, over a period of time, is something I had not expected to achieve in my lifetime.
In my writings on the great man, beginning with my presentation titled “A Remembrance” which was carried by Mangalore Magazine, the official publication of the Catholic Association of South Kanara in its January 2009 issue, I have tried to project him, in my simple language as (i) The Compassionate Pastor (ii) The Compassionate Father (iii) The Forgiving Father (iv) The Charismatic Father and (v) The Loving Father.
In the book Reminiscences, p. 37, Sr Theresine of Bethany writes that our beloved Founder of their Congregation, though a deeply spiritual man, had a sense of humour too. Why not enjoy a little humour ourselves to share memories of that smiling face, even at this distance of time? I mean no insult to anybody, my effort being to present Mgr Raymond as a unique personality, and, as a simple loving Father.
On one occasion, when I went to visit a reigning Bishop, I acquiesced with him my ignorance of the correct words in Konkani for greeting him. He was so magnanimous and understanding, for I don’t know if he had advance knowledge of the number of summers I was carrying on my shoulders partly helped by my walking stick, a broken hip-joint, arthritic knee-joints and visible signs of discomfort having been kissed by the chikunguniya bug few months earlier he received me at the entrance to his chambers while still standing, but asking me to a chair “first sit, make yourself comfortable and relax.” And, as a finale to this happy, wonderful experience, instead of answering my question, he confronted me with his own question, “You have not told me the purpose of this visit.” And we all had a hearty laugh. He knew why I had
gone to meet him!!!
Our beloved Father Raymond carried the ex-officio title of Monsignor as Vicar General for ten years from 1931 to 1941. He was made Domestic Prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1955 which got him dignified title of Monsignor for life. If ever he wanted anything for himself in this world it was this one gift from God, though coming late in his life, as a sign of acceptance and recognition for all he had done and accomplished for His Church. He was, otherwise, the same simple ‘father’ to everybody who loved him and whom he loved.
I must confess that, during my years of contact and interaction with him, I have always addressed him as ‘Father.’ It was so beautiful and blessing to be near him, to talk to him “Yes father,” “No father.” He was such a loving and lovable personality. And, as for a father’s love for his children? It was his life’s mission and he manifested it in establishing schools for the education and uplift of children all through his active life, and carried forward by the Congregation he founded. He loved children and his main concern was the girl-child. He was ecstatic while in the midst of children. As for the Congregation of Religious Sisters of Bethany, “I will give my life for them,” he had said. Young or old, they were his children. To hear him commiserating so very gently with them with a “Putha” in Konkani meaning “my child” was music to the ears. Such was his endearing love for them.
This, then, is our loving father, servant of God Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas. May God raise him to the honours of the Altar, is our fervent prayer.
James D’Souza
Bangalore
