Bro Daniel was born on 22nd of October 1930 in Bangalore. He entered the novitiate on 20th Dec. 1966 at XTC, Belgaum. He was a late vocation but firm in his faith and commitment to God.
Bro. Daniel was a man of few words and a regular prayer. He was very much a disciplined man. His famous attire consisted of his cap, an umbrella and a sling bag. He had a great devotion to Infant Jesus therefore he used to go to Nashik every year and make his annual retreat at the Infant Jesus’ shrine. He never missed his daily rosary. One could see him sitting at the table praying and reciting the rosary. His table had very few things – a crucifix, a rosary and a few holy pictures and booklets.
Bro. Daniel was a very good football player that’s what his companions used to tell us. Therefore we could see him healthy and fit. Bro. Daniel had been to every Jesuit community in our province as well as the Goa province. He was mostly helping in the hostels as a prefect and as a minister in the community. He would not like anybody interfering in his work. Even if somebody had commented on his work or life, and by mistake if Bro. Daniel took it in a different sense, he had it! Bro. Daniel would stop talking to that person. In this way Bro. Daniel had communicated to his companions that he was a serious and disciplined man.
Bro. Daniel was suffering from diabetes but he knew how to control the sugar in his body. He would regularly go for exercises especially for long walks. He would take insulin and food at a fixed time. When it came to the vow of poverty – he was very simple in his clothing; even if anybody offered him new clothes he would keep them in his small briefcase and would not wear them unless he had no other option. He never made a fuss about his clothing and food. Whatever simple clothes he had, he would wear them, and whatever was served at table he would serve himself with it.
Whichever community he was transferred to he would keep contact with the superior and minister of that community because he knew they were very important people for his wellbeing. As long as he kept good contact with them he had no problem for his daily needs. When he was in a good mood, he would give you the rarest of rare smile, which otherwise you would hardly get!. When he smiled it was a genuine smile!
He always had a healthy relationship with sisters especially with sisters of St. Luke Hospital, Shrirampur, Nitya Seva Hospital, Shevgaon and Jesus and Mary Convent, Sangamner. They served him whole heartedly in his sickness. We thank our sisters for their generous service.
Words cannot really describe a person. You can rally know a person only when you live with him. In all his simplicity, Bro. Daniel was a Jesuit working in the Lord’s vineyard. What he could offer us as our companion was his company and his prayers. We thank God for his goodwill to serve our province with his prayers till the end of his life. May he rest in peace!
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