Bro. TONY D’SOUZA, SJ: TIRELESS WORKER AND GIFTED WITH A SENSE OF HUMOUR.
He was born on 24th March 1924. Initially he entered Ranchi Province on 31st July 1950. Later on he worked in Hazaribag region in the years 1957 to 1968. In Goa-Pune province, he served as Minister, as Supervisor of construction works and ad omnia in many of our communities. He worked in Loyola- Margaon, Snehasadan- Pune, Vidya Bhavan- Beed and in Ahmednagar district.
He was a hard worker, willing and ever ready to dirty his hands for the mission. He enjoyed community life and the company of young Jesuits. He was always eager to learn new skills, so that he could be of greater service. He had even tried his hand at candle and statue making. He was very compassionate and concerned about the workers-their family struggle and prayed for them. He was hospitable and welcoming to guests and at times he used to go out of his way to make guests feel at home.
Years before Tony entered the Society, he was employed in a factory on the outskirts of Bombay. Labour trouble led to unprecedented violence. Two groups from opposing labour unions and the police formed the main protagonists in this min-warfare. One day the group of the two unions clashed in a bloody battle. Tony was struck on the head and on his right leg. He collapsed unconscious among a heap of other bodies. Recovering consciousness, he carefully opened half an eye and in his terror, he found little difficulty in stopping his breath. His tormentors turned his body, beheld the blood pouring from his head wound and fortunately for him, concluded that he was already dead! That is the reason we still had Tony with us. His head wound healed perfectly and did not prevent him from entering the Society on 31st July 1950.
However, his broken leg had given him anxious moments throughout his career. He had experienced the cross of suffering and pain even before he came to the Society. In the Society, that cross had accompanied him leading to frequent falls, fractures and hospitalization. In spite of these he had borne that cross patiently and even cheerfully due to his spiritual resources.
In spite of his physical handicap, in spite of having to carry around the metal that had to be inserted in his bones, he served the Lord well as Minister, Supervisor of construction works and ‘ad omina’ in a number of Jesuit communities from Hazaribag in the north to Margaon- Goa in the South. In all his assignments he had made good use of his common sense and practical knowledge, especially the knowledge of herbal medicines. Finally, in the last two months he was hospitalized for various illnesses. He endured pain and suffering patiently and cheerfully. At last on 1st December at 02.45pm he breathed his last and surrendered himself together with all his suffering and pain to the Lord. He has now returned to his Master and Lord and is waiting for his Master and Lord to resurrect him. May his soul rest in peace!
He was born on 24th March 1924. Initially he entered Ranchi Province on 31st July 1950. Later on he worked in Hazaribag region in the years 1957 to 1968. In Goa-Pune province, he served as Minister, as Supervisor of construction works and ad omnia in many of our communities. He worked in Loyola- Margaon, Snehasadan- Pune, Vidya Bhavan- Beed and in Ahmednagar district.
He was a hard worker, willing and ever ready to dirty his hands for the mission. He enjoyed community life and the company of young Jesuits. He was always eager to learn new skills, so that he could be of greater service. He had even tried his hand at candle and statue making. He was very compassionate and concerned about the workers-their family struggle and prayed for them. He was hospitable and welcoming to guests and at times he used to go out of his way to make guests feel at home.
Years before Tony entered the Society, he was employed in a factory on the outskirts of Bombay. Labour trouble led to unprecedented violence. Two groups from opposing labour unions and the police formed the main protagonists in this min-warfare. One day the group of the two unions clashed in a bloody battle. Tony was struck on the head and on his right leg. He collapsed unconscious among a heap of other bodies. Recovering consciousness, he carefully opened half an eye and in his terror, he found little difficulty in stopping his breath. His tormentors turned his body, beheld the blood pouring from his head wound and fortunately for him, concluded that he was already dead! That is the reason we still had Tony with us. His head wound healed perfectly and did not prevent him from entering the Society on 31st July 1950.
However, his broken leg had given him anxious moments throughout his career. He had experienced the cross of suffering and pain even before he came to the Society. In the Society, that cross had accompanied him leading to frequent falls, fractures and hospitalization. In spite of these he had borne that cross patiently and even cheerfully due to his spiritual resources.
In spite of his physical handicap, in spite of having to carry around the metal that had to be inserted in his bones, he served the Lord well as Minister, Supervisor of construction works and ‘ad omina’ in a number of Jesuit communities from Hazaribag in the north to Margaon- Goa in the South. In all his assignments he had made good use of his common sense and practical knowledge, especially the knowledge of herbal medicines. Finally, in the last two months he was hospitalized for various illnesses. He endured pain and suffering patiently and cheerfully. At last on 1st December at 02.45pm he breathed his last and surrendered himself together with all his suffering and pain to the Lord. He has now returned to his Master and Lord and is waiting for his Master and Lord to resurrect him. May his soul rest in peace!
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