As the
world grapples with COVID-19 scare let us seek refuge in the prayers and
intercessions of our saintly fathers especially His Grace Alvares Mar Julius
Metropolitan of blessed memory and His Grace Kuriakose Mar Gregorios Metropolitan
of blessed memory, who tirelessly served the people of Goa and Kunnamkulam
respectively when deadly plague affected these lands.
In 1878, Panjim
and nearby places were afflicted with a deadly cholera which created much havoc
in the lives of common people. The medical facilities were limited and in many
cases the patients were disowned by their near and dear one in fear of being
contaminated with the disease.
Padre
Alvares’ conscience did not allow him to be a mute spectator. Though it was
known to him that he could contract the disease, the young priest fearlessly
treated the sick. He took those patients who did not have any shelter to his
house and treated them. There were some who were too sick to be treated in the
house. He took them wherever possible to give better treatment. During those days
the main mode of transport was the horse which wasn’t available all the time.
The roads weren’t proper either. Carrying the sick on the shoulder was the
usual norm. Since the disease was contagious Padre Alvares didn’t get much help
from others- there were instances where he would carry the dead bodies on his
shoulders and buried them as per their desires so that the dead would atleast
get a decent burial.
A eulogy by
one of his well-wishers in a newspaper stated Bishop Alvares’s selfless charity
works thus:
“Hero in sacrifice.
He did not hesitate for a moment in the most predicaments to sacrifice his
life- not only in treating the living but also in burying the dead. At the Ourem
Road where he had his asylum- the asylum was his heart, he washed the wounds that
human eyes couldn’t see or imagine. In his hands he collected the spittle/sputum-which
was death itself. By his hands he collected even the stools from choleric and
cleaned the sick. On his shoulders he carried the cadavers to bury them, so
that no dead body of a human being should remain to be rotten or eaten by
animals.”
While
delivering a speech on the occasion of the translation of Alvares Thirumeni’s
relics on 23-09-1927, a prominent Goan native- Mr J.J. da Cunha said thus
about the great humanitarian bishop:
“Some
individuals of the past are still living. They have seen with their own eyes
that in the biggest scourges that have devasted the population of our friendly
land. He always placed himself in the forefront, helping the sick without
thinking about fatigue and dangers to his life- a life full of sacrifices and
of love for his neighbours. Always ready at anytime to help those attacked by
cholera, small pox and bubonic plague whom he administered medicines and
consoled with his anointing words, thus able to save many- some who were even
abandoned by their own family with the fear of being contaminated with the
disease. The germs of cholera, small pox or the bubonic plague never frightened
him. Those whom he could not save with medicines, he would comfort them on their
death bed by inculcating hope and courage in them to face death. There are
instances when after their death he carried their dead bodies on his shoulders
till the cemetery for their burial.” (Note: Mr
Da Cunha was buried behind the tomb of Alvares Thirumeni per his wish).
It was the
experience he gained while treating the cholerics, that on the next outbreak of
the epidemic in 1885, he published a booklet on “Directions for treatment of
Cholera” in Portuguese, which he translated in English for publication in
Colombo when he visited the island nation eleven years later.
Almost 50
years before Mother Teresa came to India and initiated a life of caring for destitute,
Bishop Alvares cared for the downtrodden and castaways without having much
moral, social, physical and financial support.
May we
intently seek the intercessions of Alvares Thirumeni and may his prayers help
us in these times of tribulations.
Lord have
mercy!
In Christ,
Rincy John
Ref:
1) George Kurian,
Saint Alvares Mar Julius (A life history), St Mary’s Orthodox Church, Ribander,
Goa Pg 69-71.
2) Carmo Azevedo;
‘Public life in Goa’ (1867-1887); Patriot and Saint- The Life Story of Bishop
Mar Julius –I Pg 21, 22, Panjim 1988
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