Fr. Vasant: The priest who made village his home and villagers his friends


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By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 26 September 2010: With saffron dress and long beard, Fr. Vasant who was on a holiday and had been to Moodubelle to attend a funeral presented an appearance of a die-hard ascetic. As my curiosity about this priest increased, i made up my mind to have an interaction with him and find out the reason behind his adopting this kind of typical outer look which has not been common among a large number of priests even serving in North India. When i requested Fr. Vasant for an interview for Bellevision.com, he readily agreed and asked me to fix an appointment in consultation with his cousin Alphonse Alva which he was kind enough to arrange within few days.

 

 

 

On the day fixed for the meeting, Prabhat Alva, brother of Alphonse accompanied Fr. Vasant to Bellevision Media Network office in Moodubelle where we had an interesting interaction and i was amazed with the simplicity and down to earth approach of Fr. Vasant. This was chiefly due to the fact that he had made a remote village in Uttar Pradesh his home for a long period and the villagers his friends.

 

Fr. Vasant whose original name was Vincent was born on 23rd June 1946 as the fifth among six children-five sons and one daughter of late Marcel and Imilia Cornelio (sister of late Robert Alva) of Kukkunje in Kallianpur. Vincent had his initial education in the Nitturu Higher Primary School, Ambagilu which was run by his father. The school was founded by late Augustine Cornelio, uncle of Vincent’s father, Marcel Cornelio. Later, Vincent continued his studies in the Milagres High School where he completed SSLC in 1963.

 

Fr. Vasant said that it was while he was studying in the 8th standard he developed a strong desire to become a priest. This was chiefly due to the positive influence that he had from late Fr. Faustine Alva and Fr. Charles Alva of Moodubelle who were his maternal uncles and were serving as priests in the Allahabad Diocese of Uttar Pradesh. His maternal grandmother’s sister, Sr. Petronilla (AC) was a nun who also inspired him in his vocation. Another person who had a positive influence on young Vincent was Fr. Tellis, headmaster of the Milagres High School whose way of dealing with the young impressed him very much. Fr. Tellis was very considerate, loving and caring while dealing with young children.

 

Having nurtured his vocation, Vincent made up his mind and joined the Allahabad Diocese soon afer completing SSLC in 1963. Vincent was first sent to St. Paul’s Minor Seminary at Lucknow where he completed intermediate studies. Later, he continued priestly studies in St. Joseph’s Seminary in Allahabad and was ordained a priest on 30th December 1972 at Allahabad.

 

While in St. Joseph’s Seminary at Allahabad, Br. Vincent along with other seminarians were sent to nearby villages by the Rector of the seminary so that they could understand the lives of the common people and have a healthy interaction with them. They used to go to the Christian families and pray with them and establish a rapport with the local people.

 

After ordination, Fr. Vincent was appointed as the assistant priest at Dostpur in the Sultanpur District in Uttar Padesh. The Allhabad Diocese comprised of 13 administrative districts in Uttar Pradesh. After some time, Fr. Vincent was sent to St. Mary’s Church at Faizabad where he served for a year and was once again sent back to Dostpur from where he was transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Church at Renukoot. Besides rendering priestly service, Fr. Vincent also taught in the parish school.

 

Somehow, Fr. Vincent was not satisfied by just carrying on the routine pastoral and teaching work. He desired to be closer to the common people and identify himself with the simple villagers. He felt that the conventional approach as a priest was not conducive to be closer to the local people.

 

Since 1950s there had been a movement in the Catholic Church, especially in North India known as ‘inculturation’ to adopt Indian culture. The practice of adopting Indian names by the priests came into vogue during this period. In the forefront of this movement were priests such as Fr. Charles Alva who adopted the name as Dhiranand Bhat. In 1963, the Vatican gave the freedom to the church to adapt to the local culture.

 

Being strongly influenced by the trend of ‘inculturation’, while at Renukoot, Fr. Vincent along with five other priests with similar attitude and approach began to live as a community in an ashram named ‘Christa Panthi Ashram’ at Varanasi in 1975. Though they performed all religious duties, these priests were not attached to any particular parish. Being in ashram, these priests began to adopt the usual practices of the ashram life beginning with the external appearance. While some priests wore khadi others doned kavi (saffron) coloured clothes. Next, they adopted Indian names. Thus, Fr. Vincent changed his name to Fr. Vasant. Fr. Ishwar Prasad was the ‘acharya’ (head) of the ‘Christa Panthi Ashram’.

 

 

While in the ashram, the small band of priests, besides adopting typical ashram dress and Indian names followed the usual ashram routine such as prayers, meditation, discourses, meeting people belonging to different religions, study of scriptures of different religions, visiting the banks of the Ganges River and interacting with people, mostly Hindus.

 

After nine months of ashram life, Fr. Vasant was sent to the newly opened mission station at Asnabandh in the Sonbhadr District. As there was no school at this place, Fr. Vasant opened one and motivated the local people to send their children to the school. The villagers were very poor agriculturists. After one year, Fr. Vasant opted to live among the people without being attached to any institutional life at   Aharaura village in a tin roofed house which was originally a mission substation.

 

It was a strange place with stranger people for whom Fr. Vasant was a complete stranger. For sometime, he lived by himself cooking his own food. Gradually, Fr. Vasant became friendly with the people and they began to support him by providing essential commodities such as foodgrains and vegetables. Fr. Vasant began to help the people in their difficult times by giving them proper advice. Meanwhile, he used the time to pray, read and study. In this way, Fr. Vasant spent thirteen years as a hermit in the Aharaura village. During these years he used to visit some of the churches and convents whose distance from his shelter was more than fifty kilometres.

 

After thirteen years of stay at Aharaura and completlely identifying with the local people and sharing their pain and joy, Fr. Vasant was asked to take the new assignement at Dostpur for the third time where he served for nine years where besides his normal priestly duties, he also conducted the school and carried on agricultural activities in parish land growing rice, wheat and vegetables. Meanwhile, Fr. Vasant also carried on dialogue with people of different religions. Later, Fr. Vasant was transferred to Obra in Sonbhadr District where he served for eight years.

 

Since 2007, Fr. Vasant has been rendering service at Asnabandh in Sonbhadr District where he runs a school, hostel and a convent. Fr. Vasant has been in touch with people and interacts with persons belonging to different religions.

 

Fr. Vasant says that he has earned a lot of respect from people irrespective of their religion because of his down to earth approach and living a simple life. His cousin Alphonse says that even though the Bihsop of Allhabad had offered a vehicle to Fr. Vasant so that he could travel to the remote areas without much difficulty, the latter politely declined this offer as he wanted to live like a simple villager and be closer to them. He did not want the vehicle to be a barrier between himself and the people.

 

Recalling his community life in the Christa Panthi Ashram at Banaras, Fr. Vasant said that by living in the ashram he could grasp the essence of Indian culture and ethos and this has helped him in coming down to the level of the common people. Fr. Vasant values greatly his life in the village of Aharaura where he resided for thirteen years and made the common villagers his friends.

 

(I am grateful to Alphonse Alva and his brother Prabhat Alva for arranging a meeting with Fr. Vasant for this interview-Eugene)

 

 

Comments on this Article
KC Antony, Renukoot Fri, November-12-2010, 5:50
First of all I would like to convey my sincere thanks to Dr. Eugene DSouza in bringing into light the magnanimous of noble services rendered by Fr. Vasant by publishing his profile. We pray to Almighty to give him courage to continue his services in spreading the message of divinity with the same spirit as in the past for the interest of the community.
ABRAHAM JOSEPH, Renukoot, U.P Thu, November-11-2010, 3:48
May the Lord Almighty bless Fr. Vasant and give him long life filled with divine, mercy, grace and love for others. I personally know Fr. Vasant since last 21 years. Thank you Dr. Eugene and the team for publishing the Profile of Fr. Vasant
Richard Cornelio, Kakkunje/Mumbai Wed, November-3-2010, 7:17
Swami Vasant stands out as a model for priests. His simplicity, patience, approach to life and helpful nature is seen to be believed. The kind of life he lives at uttar pradesh is something seen to be believed. I am proud to be his nephew. I have enjoyed a great deal of time sitting and chatting with him to know the life of a priest. Our support is assured to him to continue the mission he has desired for himself.
FRANCIS NOEL LOBO, MOODUBELLE / CEBU, PHILIPPINES Wed, September-29-2010, 4:37
Nice to know that a simple man amongst us is doing a Great job with the needy in the North India. May God Bless him with more strength and wisdom. Thanks to Dr Eugene as well.
Irene Lobo, Moodubelle/London Mon, September-27-2010, 12:36
I met this preist when i was samll, one of his cousin was in difficulties and she is my cousin also. He helped her in many ways, and he continued her helping her. I did not understand that time his denomination. Now I unerstand him and his values being a true priest and representative for Jesus. I have great honour and respect for this person.Myself being married to a Hindu from north India, i understand the truth of how difficulty to continue christinity and spead the gosepel in north india. hats off to Fr. Vasanth and his missionary work.
Victor Castelino, Moodubelle/Dubai Mon, September-27-2010, 6:29
When my cousin was married to his eldest brother Joseph (both of them are no more), Vincent was a small boy then like myself. We used to play together whenever and wherever we met. He had always a smiling face just like his mother. Two years back when we met after a long time the same familiar smiling face greeted me. Because of his long beard and the dress at first I could not recognise him,but he made me comfortable and had a long chat. His mother always complained about his dress; and Vincent countered this with a broad smile and put an end to it. Fr Vasant I am very pleased to read about you. Keep up the good work.
Fr. Raymond D Souza, Podikambala, Allahabad Mon, September-27-2010, 12:11
I am very happy to read the article on Rev. Fr. Vasant, the missionery priest of my diocese of Allahabad. His way of life is a good example for all of us to work in North India, specially in the remote villages of U.P. Fr. Basant is now more than 60 , still uses a Bicycle as a mode of transport. Thanks Dr. Eugene for publishing this article.Regards. Fr. Raymond, Renukoot, Sonebhadra, U.P.
Prakash Alva, Moodubelle/ Israel Sun, September-26-2010, 1:53
I admire you and salute the spirit and the hard work you did to the society. I met you at Nagothane ( Mr. Richard Cornelio s house) some years before and spent some hours with you, it is the most memorable time in my life. I wish all the best to your future missionary work and pray for your good health.
Louis Alva, Kattingeri, Moodubelle Sun, September-26-2010, 12:29
We are extremely happy to read about our Bappu s profile on bellevision.com . You made our whole family very proud by living a so simple life in such a difficult place and situation to spread the good news and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.Yes initially when we were small we use to call you as Sanyasi Padraab. You are a so simple and humble person and that is why God has Chosen you to be a priest, that too difficult place like northern India. We always pray to Almighty God to give you a good Health long life to serve and spread the Word of God. Thank you Dr. Eugene for publishing the Profile of Fr. Vasanth.
Valerian Alva, Kattingeri / Dubai Sun, September-26-2010, 5:40
I am happy to read my Bappu s profile in Bellevision. In our childhood we used call him as "sanyasi padraab". His down to earth, simple life style is exactly that of a sanyasi . We are fortunate enough to have such a priest in our family. His presence during any family gatherings itself is a great blessing. Thank you father for everything you have done for our family, we are greatful to you. May God give good health and long life.
Nelson Cornelio, Kakkunie/Dubai/Satwa Sun, September-26-2010, 4:42
Wow!What a inspiring life of Fr.Vasanth. I am indeed proud to be his nephew.He has been a exemplary priest who has always upheld the missionary values and and influenced many through his simple and humble life.During his visit to native place Kakkunje, his priority was to meet the old and sick people. That has influenced me a lot as I had opportunity to go around with him.May God bless him and keep in good health to carry his missionary life. Cheers to Bellevision team exposing his simplicity in priestly life though your website. Thanks/Nelson/0504946180
Nelson Cornelio, Kakkunie/Dubai/Satwa Sun, September-26-2010, 4:26
I am indeed proud to be his nephew. He has been a exemplary preist who has always dedicated his life as a true shepherd of his flocks. May he continue his missionary works and influence young preists to understand the true meaning of priestly life. Cheers to Bellevision team for this beautiful article. Regards/Nelson
Benedict Noronha, Belle/Udupi/India Sun, September-26-2010, 2:33
Dr eugene is discovering the unknown great Christian missionaries, from Belle which in it self is a missionary work.Of late belle vision has published about several such priests and nuns of Belle and not only made the Channel a treasury of information, but also made it very informative,lively and in a way rich. I heartily compliment Dr Eugene and the team of Belle Vision. May God bless him all who are involved in this noble work (of God, I must say).
SUMAN VIOLET BARBOZA, SHANKERPURA/DUBAI Sun, September-26-2010, 1:26
we all proud of you maam...God give u good health .and sucess in your mission
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