Pioneer Missionaries remembered
After publishing his “Catechist
Smritigranth”, Fr William’s
long-cherished dream and a keen desire was fulfilled when his new book ‘Gurjar
Bhoomima Shubhsandeshana Chhadidaro’ was released by Bishop Thomas Macwan on 6
October in Mogri village, the cradle of Catholic Church in Gujarat. The volume
pays homage to the pioneer missionaries, especially the Jesuits, who brought
the message of Jesus to Gujarat The occasion
was 121st anniversary of the first Baptisms confirmed on 18 neophytes in the
village. The book contains write-up on 3 diocesan and 42 Jesuits (2 German and
40 Spaniards) who laboured in the Charotar vineyard of the Lord. In the preface
a brief history of the “avela” Spanish Jesuits replacing the German Jesuits is
also related. The book is a precious Jesuit missionary inheritance worth
preserving and a glowing tribute to the missionary spirit of the Society of
Jesus worth imitating. The matter is collected mostly from the available
obituaries, conversation with the elderly Catholics who still cherish the happy
memories of the deceased missionaries and some write ups by Jesuits of the
Province.
On the following day, during a
brief ceremony at Jeevan Darshan, Vadodara, Fr William presented Fr Provincial
with the book and also gave it as a gift to all the Superiors of various Jesuit
communities gathered there for their meeting. Fr William felt that something
worthwhile was accomplished through him both as a director of Rishta - the
Gujarat Jesuit Writers’ Cell and as a Jesuit member of the Province. The Jesuit
Superiors served themselves generously from the boxes containing the books! Fr
William, however, was relieved of his anxiety when the director of GSP informed
him that he would pay the Anand Press bill! Fr William would like to expresses
his gratitude to the manager of Anand Press who spared no efforts to get the
book ready within a very short time. (Fr William)
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