RIP: Fr Jacob Srampickal SJ

I paused for a while. I was in the middle of composing a mail. I left it unfinished. How could it possible! I was just planning to have a meal with him. Last month he invited me to his community. We had a lovely meal with lots of sharing. He was planning to go back to India to take up his new assignment. We decided that after Easter we would meet again. But he is gone!

My companion Benedict came and broke the news to me. He picked up the news from the facebook and then confirmed with his friends. He was Benedict’s professor. Then he came and told me. He knew that we were good friends.

On the first gathering of the South Asian Jesuits I met him here in Rome. We spoke for a while. Then he invited me to his community. I went to his community with another Sri Lankan Jesuit. We spoke a lot. He mentioned to us about the importance of companionship and friendship. He asked us to have always time for our companions. We three of us formed a group. Then over the year we met several times. Sometimes he would come to our community; sometimes we would go to his community. He was a professor and we were students in the same university. But he always made us feel at home in his presence. While talking to us he would be very down to earth.
Today he is no more with us. His memories are still vivid. He was a true Jesuit companion to me.

Dear Father Srampickal, you have touched my life with your presence. We have walked for a while together. Though I miss you, but I am sure we will meet again. We are friends in the Lord!

Bengoli New Year: promising of joy!

Rather quietly I passed Bangla New Year. I have just exchanged wishes with some people back in Bangladesh as well as in Calcutta. In the morning I thought profoundly that ‘DAY LIKE THIS I MISS BANGLADESH.’ I was a bit sad- just missing my dear ones. In the middle of the day I went for the Holy Mass. I must admit that I was not fully present in the liturgical celebration. At the beginning of the homily the celebrant said, we should not be sad. Sadness is the mother of many problems, doubts and mistakes. He also said that Jesus Christ with his resurrection overcame the sadness and brought happiness and joy for all of us. I came out from the Church with a smiling face! There was joy within me!