THE COMPASSION

COMPASSIONATE P
ASSIONA AST
PASTOR
ASTOR
June 2023

Editorial Board Contents

Page No
Managing Editor 1. Editorial 2

Sr M Rose Celine BS 2. Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas: A Man who

Listened with the Ear of his Heart 4
- Sr Dr Anita Stephen BS
Chief Editor
3. Favours Received 14
Sr Mariette BS
4. SD Raymond’s Magnum Opus: Zeal for 35
the Proclamation of the Gospel
- Sr Dr Surekha Lobo
Members
5. RFC as I See: A Pastor with Unction for 43
Rev Fr Joseph Martis Mission
- Fr Walter D’Mello
Rev Fr Cedric Prakash SJ
6. RFC: A Visionary Educationist
46
- Fr Cedric Prakash SJ
Prof Edmund JB Frank
7. From the Lips of a BES Teacher: SD 51
Mr Ivan Saldanha-Shet Raymond, a Legend
- Mrs Zena Chauhan, Karnal
Sr M Jessy Rita BS 8. Through the Eyes of a BES Educator: 53
SD Raymond, a Trendsetter
Sr M Hilarita BS - Mrs Neena Sebastian, Kalpetta
56
Sr M Gracy Bennis BS 9. About the Contributors

1
 EDITORIAL
Bringing good news to the poor was at the heart
of SD Raymond F C Mascarenhas. This mission was
born in him after he had contemplated on Jesus of
Nazareth who proclaimed in the synagogue – “The
Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has sent me to
bring good news to the poor” (Lk 4:18). His
contemplation took him to the margins, to those neglected in the
society whose future was dark and bleak. He was aware that his call
as a priest of God was to be a shepherd to his flock. In pursuance of
his call, he championed the cause of the poor, spoke out boldly on
their behalf and acted favourably. What caught his attention apart
from his spiritual ministry was the misery of the poor and the plight
of women who were deprived of education irrespective of what
religion they belonged to.
SD Raymond a man of Christian faith reflected on the existential
situation from the perspective of Jesus, the Emmanuel, God-with-
us. His faith in God led him to question the way the society was
functioning, condemning on half of humanity to the margins without
paying attention to their basic needs and aspirations. His sensitive
heart went out in compassion for them. Compassion includes three
aspects. The first is that it creates a disposition of solidarity towards
the sufferer. The second is that it makes one consider the sufferings
of others as one’s own. Here comes the total identification of the
person with the sufferer. From the identification what follows is
concrete action, a commitment to overcome the suffering itself which
is the third aspect of compassion. These three aspects, in fact, are
three steps as they follow one after another – being in solidarity,
then moving from solidarity to close identity and finally from close
identity to concrete action. The life of SD Raymond exemplifies clearly
that all aspects of compassion were abundantly evident in him.
The first three authors in this Bulletin illustrate as to how SD
Raymond epitomized the gospel of compassion. Sr Dr Anita Stephen
BS in her article titled, ‘Mgr Raymond F C Mascarenhas: A Man who
Listened with the Ear of his Heart’ elucidates the manner in which
SD Raymond responded to the situation with the ear of his heart.
On the other hand, Sr Dr Surekha BS exalts SD Raymond for his
missionary zeal through her article, ‘SD Raymond’s Magnum Opus:
Zeal for the Proclamation of the Gospel.’ Rev Fr Walter D’Mello a
priest of Mangalore Diocese focuses on the personality of SD Raymond
2
from various angles and summarises his priestly life and pastoral
care succinctly.
The other three authors highlight SD Raymond as a champion
of education at the threshold of the Platinum Jubilee of the Bethany
Educational Society, ® Mangalore (BES) founded and registered by
the Servant of God. Rev Fr Cedric Prakash SJ in his article ‘RFC: A
Visionary Educationist’ reflects on the SD Raymond’s vision of
education with reference to Gravissimum Educationis (‘Declaration
on Christian Education’) issued by Pope Paul VI in 1965 and
underscores his adherence to Christian principles. Going further, Ms
Zena Chauhan a former staff of BES through her article, ‘From the
Lips of a BES Teacher - SD Raymond, a Legend’ admits convincingly
that SD Raymond was truly a legend to be remembered. Finally,
‘Through the Eyes of a BES Educator: SD Raymond a Trendsetter’
Ms Neena Sebastian another teacher from BES lauds SD Raymond’s
matchless contribution as the educationist and applauds BES and its
Founder for playing a significant role in the transformation of the
society.
We are in a world which seems to be breathing out hate and
divisiveness, manifesting polarities pushing the poor and the
marginalized still to the periphery. In this context, I am reminded of
what Pope John XXIII told his Secretary in 1962 on the eve of the
Second Vatican Council, “The world is starving for peace. If the
Church responds to its Founder and rediscovers its authentic identity,
the world will gain. I have never had any doubts against faith. But
one thing causes me anxiety. Christ has been there on the Cross
with his arms out-stretched for two thousand years. Where have we
reached in preaching the good news?”
At the wake of many atrocities and crimes against the poor, our
call is to witness the gospel of compassion and peace. It is to make
manifest transcendent love which brings truth and life. It is to show
to the poor and the marginalized like SD Raymond that the
compassionate love is not just a passive love, rather an active love
manifested through concrete action. For this fiery mission, we need
committed Christians and dedicated consecrated people who can
cross the narrow domestic walls and build bridges that last. We
need people of goodwill who can transcend their selfish ambitions
and move out of comfort zones like SD Raymond to do something
new and daring, a path chosen by only a few.
Sr Dr Mariette BS
Chief Editor
3
 MGR RAYMOND F C MASCARENHAS:
A MAN WHO LISTENED WITH THE EAR OF HIS HEART
Sr Dr Anita Stephen BS

Introduction
We read in the Book of Exodus: “I have seen the oppression of
my people who are in Egypt, and I have heard their cry because of
their taskmasters, for I know their sufferings” (Ex 3: 7-9). We are
glad and proud to say that we have a God who hears with the ear of
his heart, and he knows us personally. Reiterating the passage from
the Book of Exodus, God reveals to Moses that he is a living God, a
God who hears the cry of his people and it moves him to act. God
sees the affliction, hears the cry, knows the sufferings, and his heart
stirs for the suffering humanity. He moves to care in decisive and
powerful ways for his chosen people who are in despair.1 God who
hears the cry of his people, and sees their suffering, calls, and
empowers some to reach out to his people and to communicate his
compassionate love to them. Down the centuries, the chosen ones
of God have responded to the sufferings of humanity differently,
according to their need in their historical context. They lived amidst
the suffering of humanity, sharing their struggles of life with love
and compassion. In and through them, God entered into the life and
history of the people and revealed his compassionate face. It is
edifying to see that God in his mercy continues to inspire such
charismatic persons even today through various religious founders
and foundresses. We encounter in Mgr Raymond, the founder of the
Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany a
messenger of God’s compassionate listener. Today, we are confronted
with people who have a boundless desire to be heard in a world
which is losing its ability to listen. This article is an attempt to portray
Mgr Raymond as a charismatic person; he listened to his people
with the ear of his heart.

1
Cf. BRUCE K.WALTKE, An Old Testament Theology: An Exegetical, Canonical, and Thematic
Approach, Zondervan, Michigan 2007,363.

4
1. Listening: A semantic note
The word ‘listen’ comes from the Latin word ‘audire’ same as
the root word of obey ‘oboedire.’ 2 According to Noah Webster listening
means: “to give ear”.3 The word ‘listen’ includes the words ‘list’ which
means to lean toward one side.4 Stan H. Wisler quotes the words of
Poet Alice Duer Miller “Listening means taking a vigorous, human
interest in what is being told us. You can listen like a blank wall or
like a splendid auditorium where every sound comes back fuller and
richer.” 5 Thus, listening is an active process of receiving and
responding to spoken or unspoken messages. A person needs a
sympathetic ear to listen and respond to the spoken and unspoken
messages. Consequently, sympathetic ear is considered as a powerful
force in strengthening human relationship. Pope Francis in Evangelii
Gaudium reminds us that “the true seat of listening is the heart.”6
The Pope in his teachings continuously reminds his people of the
importance of listening saying that openness of heart makes closeness
possible (EG 171). Above all we must remember that listening brings
healing. Let us recall the words of Margaret J. Wheatley: “Listening
is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes
practice, but we don’t have to do anything else. We don’t have to
advise, or coach, or sound-wise. We just have to be willing to sit
there and listen. If we can do that, we create moments in which real
healing is available.”7 Pope Francis reminds us that listening concerns
the whole person, not just the sense of hearing.
2. Biblical Understanding of Listening
Dietrich Bonhoeffer says: “Just as love for God begins with
listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is
2
Cf. DAVIS J POWELL,Clinical Supervision in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselling: Principles,
Models, Methods, Jossey - Bass, San Francisco 2004, 172.
3
NOAH WEBSTER, A Dictionary of the English Language, George Barclay, London 1854,
669.
4
Cf. KAREN M DYER– Jacqueline Carothers, The Intuitive Principal: A Guide to Leadership,
Corwin Press, California 2002, 28.
5
STAN H. WISLER, ords Matter: Embracing the power of Conversation, Rowman& Littlefield,
London 2019, 49.
6
FRANCIS, “Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the 56th World Day of Social
Communications”, (24 January 2022).
7
MARGARET J. WHEATLEY, Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time, Berrett
Koehler, San Francisco 2005, 63.
5
learning to listen to them.”8 In the pages of the Bible, we come
across the word ‘listen’ used by God and his people. We read in the
Book of Deuteronomy: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the
Lord alone. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul, and withall your strength” (Deut 6:4). Here Moses
reminds the people of Israel to listen to the words of the Lord and to
have undivided love and loyalty to him because he alone is their God
who can listen and rescue them. In the first Book of Samuel, we
read the response of Samuel to the Lord: “Speak Lord, your servant
is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). It is a reminder for us that God speaks
personally, and we need to listen to him with open heart. The psalmist
says: “O Lord, you have heard the desires of the humble; you will
strengthen their heart. You will incline your ear” (Ps 10: 17). It gives
us hope that God not only gives his word, but he also lends his ear
to us. In the Book of Proverbs, we find: “Oh, Lord, my God, give me
a listening ear and teachable heart” (Prov 15:3). In the Book of
Baruch we read the words of the Lord: “I am the Lord their God:
and I will give them a heart and ears that listen” (Baruch 2: 31). In
the Book of Ezekiel, we read: “Son of man, listen carefully and take
to heart all the words I speak to you” (Ezek 3:10). We see in the
First Book of Kings: “Give your servant a discerning heart” (1 Kings
3:9). The Psalmist says: “Give me understanding, so that I may
keep your law and obey it with all my heart” (Ps 119: 34). All these
life-giving words in the Bible teach us that people are looking for an
ear that will listen. In this context, let us not forget the words of the
Lord: “I have seen the oppression of my people who are in Egypt,
and I have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know
their sufferings” (Ex 3: 7).
In the New Testament, Jesus says: “Listen, anyone who has
ears” (Mt 11:15), and at the transfiguration scene: “This is my beloved
Son…listen to him” (Mt 17: 5). Above all, in the New Testament we
meet a God who comes in the person of Jesus to listen to the misery
of his people. His listening with the ear of the heart moved him to
action. Thus, when Jesus deals with human needs, the Gospels tell
us that he was deeply moved, he had compassion on them (cf. Mt 9:

8
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER, Life Together, SCM Press, London 2015, 75.

6
36), “his heart went out to those people.”9 He healed the sick (cf. Lk
5: 17-26; cf. Mt 8: 5-13), gave sight to the blind (cf. Jn 9: 1-12),
made the deaf hear, the dumb speak (cf. Mk 7: 31-37), cured the
crippled (cf. Jn 5: 1-16), cleansed and made whole the leper (cf. Mk
8: 1-4), and fed the hungry (cf. Mt 15: 32). When Jesus came upon
the widow of Naim on her way to bury her dead son, his ear of the
heart moved towards the grieving mother, and raised him from the
dead (cf. Lk 7: 13-15). The same mercy moved Jesus to raise Lazarus
from the dead (cf. Jn 13: 38-44). In revealing the message of love,
Jesus never forgot to reveal his Father’s love. In the parables of the
lost sheep, lost coin and of the prodigal son, he disclosed God’s
unfathomable love for the lost ones (cf. Lk 15: 1-32).10 These episodes
in the gospel unfold God’s unfathomable mercy which is not confined
to a particular group of people but extends to all without caste and
creed. His mercy is given to everyone as grace. In brief, through
these saving activities Jesus brings out the central message of love
and compassionate listening.
In the Old Testament, we see a God who talks and walks through
patriarchs, kings, judges, and prophets and in the New Testament,
we encounter the same God most near, in a tangible way in the
person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God who reveals God’s
compassionate listening heart.
3. Mgr Raymond as a Mystic Listened to the Absolute with
the Ear of his Heart
God, who had chosen, prepared, called, and directed the
patriarchs, judges, kings, and prophets according to the needs of
the time chose Mgr Raymond to be his instrument to the people of
Karnataka. The life of Mgr Raymond reveals that he had two
prominent dimensions in his spirituality i.e., contemplation and action.
He was well aware that in silence one contemplates the mystery of
God’s love for humanity. In stillness, one listens to the voice of God
and discerns his will and purpose for one’s life. Because of his intimacy
with God, he was able to say: “Silence well-kept puts the soul in a
9
DAVID J. WILLIAMS, “Mercy”, in J.B. GREEN– S. McKNIGHT (eds), Dictionary of Jesus and the
Gospels, Inter Varsity Press, Downers Grove 1992, 543
10
Cf. W. KASPER – W. MADGES (tr.), Mercy: The Essence of the Gospel and the Key to
Christian Life, 66-72; Cf. K. POOVATHUMKUDY, “Misericordiae Vultus and the Pastoral
Demands”, in Word & Worship 49 (2016) 1, 5-21
7
right and warm state to pray well, and also to hear God’s voice
speaking in the heart, both in and out of direct prayer.”11 St Paul in
his Letter to the Romans teaches us that “faith comes from hearing”
(Rom 10:17). This is very vivid in the life of Mgr Raymond. Many
have encountered him as a man of prayer. Man of prayer means that
he listened to God with the ear of his heart in deep silence. In an
interview with Judith Mascarenhas who is the godchild of Mgr
Raymond and who was a Deputy Mayor of Mangalore Corporation,
remarks that he was a holy and great man of God. He spent long
hours in prayer and had a very serene appearance. He was soft-
spoken. He listened more, looked deep, and spoke less.12 James
D’Souza, a parishioner of Bendur who had close contact with Mgr
Raymond stated: “Whenever I found him, he was walking on the
veranda of his room, with the breviary in his hands, engrossed in
prayer and meditation.”13 St John Mary Vianney exclaims: “I throw
myself at the foot of the Tabernacle like a little dog at the foot of his
master.”14 The same spirit of St John Mary Vianney was visible in the
life of Mgr Raymond. The presence of Jesus in the Eucharist was his
magnetic power, and he was delighted to be at the foot of the
Tabernacle.15 The spiritual daughters of Mgr Raymond witnessed his
ardent love for the Lord. Mother Gemma, one of the former Superiors
General reminisces: “Father Founder used to spend a long time before
the Blessed Sacrament before the Mass or after it as well as in the
evening. In his old age, he continued this habit until he found it
difficult to climb the stairs leading to the chapel.”16 St Benedict in his
Rule at the beginning of the prologue urges his brothers: “Listen,
my son, to the teachings of your master, and turn to them with the
ear of your heart.”17 Likewise, Mgr Raymond expressed to his beloved
daughters:
11
M. LILLIS– MIRIAM,To You My Daughters, 476
12
Cf. Interview with Judith Mascarenhas, in The Compassionate Pastor 2 (2014) 7, 33
13
J. D’SOUZA, Memories of S.D. Raymond F.C. Mascarenhas, 13.08.2008; M. MACRINA,
Memories of Founder, 07.06.2002
14
J.H. ADELS, The Wisdom of the Saints: An Anthology, Oxford University Press, Oxford
1987, 56
15
Cf. R.F.C MASCARENHAS, “Exhortation: The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, 26.11.1940”, in M.
BERTHA (ed.), From the Lips of the Founder, 53-54
16
M. BERTHA, Mgr Raymond: A Mystic and A Prophet, 37
17
TERRANCE G. KARDONG , Benedict’s Rule: A Translation and Commentary, The Liturgical
Press, Collegeville 1996, 3

8
 I have to give you Christ, teach you how to love Christ, and
send you out to the villages to witness Christ by your life. If I should
give you this love, it is necessary that I should have it within me in
full measure. Therefore, I go to the Blessed Sacrament to fill my
heart with love. I should be a cistern of God’s love, if I am to give
this love to others through various channels. Without this, my
apostolate in Bethany will be ‘like a sounding brass and tinkling
cymbal’ as St Paul says (cf. I Cor 13:1).18
Evangelii Gaudium exhorts: ”Without prolonged moments of
adoration, of prayerful encounter with the Word, of sincere
conversation with the Lord, our work easily becomes meaningless”
(EG 262). The silence of Mgr Raymond before the Eucharistic Lord
was not barren but overflowing with love and pregnant with meaning.
His deep union with God in prayer moved him to see and hear the
voice of the suffering humanity around him and stirred him into
action.
4. Mgr Raymond: A Man who Listened to his Neighbour with
the Ear of his Heart
Listening with the ear of the heart is an act of generously heeding
to God and neighbour with a loving heart.19 Mgr Raymond as a man
of compassion listened to his people with the ear of his heart. He
was deeply immersed in the lives of the people and identified the
anxieties and aspirations, especially of the poor who lived in the
remote villages. Since his experience of the love of God was
profound, he prophetically communicated his experience in the
context in which he lived. Like a prophet, his heart moved to learn
the needs of the people and took a heroic step to act on them.
Consequently, the problems of society became his problems, and its
needs became his needs. Firmly rooted in God he was fearless to act
according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Looking at the situation
of Kolkata with the eyes of Jesus in contemplation St Teresa of Kolkata
was moved into action. Likewise, Mgr Raymond having listened with
the ear of his heart to the ardent desire of the young girls took a
prophetic step in founding a religious Congregation. Just as Jesus
18
M. BERTHA, Mgr Raymond: A Mystic and A Prophet,13
19
Cf. https://www.openhorizons.org/listening-with-the-ear-of-the-heart-process-and-
silence.html accessed on 25 November 2022.

9
welcomed all classes of people to be his disciples, Mgr Raymond
welcomed all those who had the desire to serve the Lord without
any discrimination. He saw the profound desire of the young girls to
be at the service of the Lord with his ear and heart. Judith
Mascarenhas rightly said: “Mgr Raymond was a deeply spiritual man
of God, a multifaceted personality gifted with rare and varied talents,
a profound thinker, a visionary far ahead of his time, a determined,
convinced, inspired towering giant of action.”20
The ardent zeal of making known the message of the gospel
triggered Mgr Raymond to enter the life of his parishioners. Though
the houses of the parishioners were located many miles away from
the church, his missionary spirit enthused him to reach to them in
times of sickness and difficulty. As a good shepherd who knew his
flock personally (cf. Jn 10:14), he sacrificed his time and energy for
them. His compassionate listening heart ached for his people who
were living in huts near the riverside where the monsoons washed
away their huts. He was at their side with his consoling presence as
well as with his request for help on their behalf as a compassionate
pastor. Another tragedy that affected the people of Udyavar was the
epidemics of smallpox and cholera. He as a spiritual doctor would
respond to the knock on his door at any time even at midnight.
Without minding the weather - sunny or rainy - he would be at the
bedside of the dying persons to assist them with the Holy Viaticum.
His people recognized his compassionate deeds, and he was described
as a good shepherd who had sacrificed his life for his flock.21 Like a
caring shepherd, his heart was for his flock finding concrete solutions
for their needs, and consequently, his life was intimately tied to
them. The people who gathered to worship the Lord in a small shed
moved his heart.22 His work of building churches was an external
means of bringing people to God. His parishioners recalled his
exceptional qualities of mind and heart as a great zealous lover of
God in turning the desolate land into life in fullness. Mgr Alexander
F D’ Souza states: “He was really a saintly man, a zealous pastor, a
true missionary, a person who spent his whole life doing good for
others.”23
20
J. MASCARENHAS, Memories of Fr. Founder, 04.03.2000
21
Cf. VIOLETTE D’SOUZA, Unless the Seed Die, 16-19
22
Cf. Ibid., 20
23
A.F. D’SOUZA, Memories of S.D. Raymond F.C. Mascarenhas, 17.06.2002
10
 Mgr Raymond a man of listening had a preferential love for the
poor and he reflected on the existential condition of the poor lacking
education in remote areas. Fr Joseph Peter Tauro rightly points out:
He had a preferential love for the poor and his option for the
poor made him start Kannada Medium Schools for girls and boys
here in the Church premises of St Sebastian and St Margaret Mary.
He did this in the situation of abject poverty among the poor and in
this way, he showed Christ’s preferential love for the poor especially
for the illiterate poor girls. He manifested Gospel values and inspired
others to do so all over the diocese.24
Mgr Raymond believed that the presence of the schools could
bring development to their surrounding villages and towns. For this
reason, he stepped into the remote places, and advised his spiritual
daughters: “Let us go there and give them school.” Moved by these
words of their spiritual father, they began to impart knowledge to
the poor children under the shade of trees. Imbued by the spirit of
God and filled with love to serve, they found happiness in imparting
knowledge to the poor children amidst all inconveniences.25 As the
comforter of afflicted Mgr Raymond’s “heart would feel the pain of
fatherless children, widow/widower, sick, weak, etc. He has a special
love for parentless children. Downtrodden and the poor had a place
in his heart.”26
One can easily find a reference in the gospel of Mathew to
describe Mgr Raymond as a compassionate spiritual father: “I have
gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under
her wings” (Mt 23: 37). Similarly, Mgr Raymond embraced everyone
in the same spirit as his own daughters when they stepped into the
home of Bethany. Sr Violette, who had close contact with Mgr
Raymond relates: “Father founder was more than a founder to me.
He was a friend to confide in, a guide to seek counsel from, a boss
to work for, a model to imitate, a saint to draw inspiration from, and
above all, a father to love and to be loved.”27 Like a child who runs to
their father or mother in times of difficulty, one could run to the side

24
J.P. TAURO, Memories of S.D. Raymond F.C. Mascarenhas, 07.03.2003
25
V. D’SOUZA, Memories of Fr. Founder, undated
26
M. EUPHRASIA, Memories on Mgr Raymond, 23.08.2002
27
V. D’SOUZA, Memories of Fr Founder, 10.07.1970
11
of Mgr Raymond to receive consolation and support. It shows that
he was a man of listening with the ear of the heart.
5. Bethany Sisters: Called to the Apostolate of Listening
with the Ear of their Hearts
Evangelii Gaudium teaches that we need to cultivate the art of
listening, and not simply hearing. Listening is considered as an
appropriate gesture that we are one with the other more than being
a simple bystander (cf. EG 171). Pope Francis reminds us, “Whenever
our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns,
there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice
is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the
desire to do good fades” (EG 2). This teaching affirms that there is
no listening without silence. Going into one’s interior self the
consecrated persons realize the motives that guide them, the feelings
that block them, the desires that divert them, the poison that infects
their souls.28 As the Bethany Sisters get involved in diverse ministries
such as pastoral care, education, family apostolate, caring for the
sick and the aged, social apostolate, and prison ministry, it is essential
for the sisters to cultivate the art of listening. The profound act of
compassionate listening opens the door to connection, closeness,
understanding and it can bring transformation inthe people who are
lonely, anguished, unwanted, or the elderly.
Pope Francis in his encyclical Fratelli Tutti points out that silence
and careful listening are disappearing in the world and as a result
the world is becoming deaf. He urges everyone not to lose the capacity
of listening (cf. FT 48). Pope Francis reminds that today “persons
are no longer seen as of paramount value to be cared for and
respected, especially when they are poor and disabled” (FT 18).
The Bethany Sisters should remember that many anxious people
are waiting for them in their homes, slums, parishes, prisons,
hospitals, homes for the aged, rehabilitation centres, and schools,
to listen to them and to be consoled by them. There is agreat
challenge of overcoming the tendency of being deaf to the needs of
their brothers and sisters through the contemplation of Jesus in the
gospel, who proclaimed the Kingdom of God to the multitudes, healed
the sick, turned sinners to repentance, blessed children, and did
28
Cf. JOAN CHITTISTER, Illuminated Life, Orbis Books, Maryknoll 2000, 48

12
good to all and this will give rise to their fervour and ardour in their
apostolic activities especially to grow in compassionate listening (cf.
LG 46; cf. VC 94; cf. BSC 63).
Looking at the sufferings of the people, we often “end up in
being incapable of feeling compassion at the outcry of the poor,
weeping for other people’s pain, and feeling a need to help them, as
though all this were someone else’s responsibility and not our own”
(EG 54). But we know the exemplary life of many saints whose lives
were centred on the love of God and love of neighbour. They heard
the voice of the suffering people and reached out to them through
their kind deeds and compassionate listening. The Bethany Sisters
are called to draw inspiration from these spiritual figures and to step
out from their comfort zone of self-centeredness to other-
centeredness. Fratelli Tutti reminds, “Let us hear the true stories of
these victims of violence, look at the reality through their eyes, and
listen with an open heart to the stories they tell” (FT 261). Each
Bethany Sister needs to remember that her responsibility is to listen
to what God has to say and to grow in the apostolate of listening
with the ear of their hearts. In doing so, the Bethany Sisters can
bring life, light and hope to thousands of people in the world unfolding
the message of God’s compassionate love.
Conclusion
When God takes someone in his hand, to bring a new work into
being, that person does not know what she/he will achieve. She/he
is simply an instrument of God.29 Like any great spiritual figures of
our own time, we have seen how Mgr Raymond was a channel of
God’s compassion and how he opened to the world a vast horizon of
God’s love by listening with the ear of his heart. We believe that
everything that exists in the world has its own beginning, purpose,
and history. Likewise, as part of God’s plan, every birth on this earth
has its own purpose. For this reason, each person is born to make
history and he/she leaves indelible footprints on the sands of time.
Each person’s legacy is not limited to a particular time, but it
transcends from generation to generation as he/she leaves a great
impact on the world around. Similarly, Mgr Raymond devoted his life
exclusively to seek the face of God in contemplating God in the
29
Cf. C. LUBICH–E. SELZER (tr.),The Art of Loving, New City Press, Hyde Park, 2010, 11
13
heart of the world. His listening with the ear of his heart moved him
to the wounded humanity and he became the embodiment of God’s
mercy for them. He walked along the uneven streets and hidden
alleys of Mangalore where there was much poverty, reached out to
the rich and the poor alike with the warmth of God’s love. A
Congregation like that of Bethany Sisters with a history of hundred
years is called to take to heart the words of Jesus to Saint Faustina
Kowalska: “You are the secretary of my mercy; I have chosen you
for that office in this life and the next life” (Diary 1605).

FAVOURS RECEIVED
1. I was diagnosed for cancer of colon and was advised to undergo
surgery. During the surgery, I experienced the presence of Jesus,
Mother Mary, St. Joseph, Holy Angels, Fr Founder, Mother
Macrina, Mother Francis and my parents. I could see them
standing beside fervently with a radiant smile. Before I could
relish completely this heavenly scene, the surgery got over. On
the 23rd of January the birthday of our Founder, gazing at the
photo of our Founder I was praying fervently the Rosary
continuously begging for a favourable result of my biopsy. To
my great surprise, on that day I received my biopsy report which
declared that there was absolutely no trace of cancer. The doctors
said that there was no need of any medical treatment. I praise
God for the powerful intercession of the Servant of God, RFC
Mascarenhas. I pray that he may be raised soon to the honours
of the Altar.
Sr Lenita BS
Bethany Provincial House, Calicut
2. Through the intercession of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas I have
been praying earnestly for my son. I am glad that he is healed
completely of his infirmities for which I am immensely grateful.
I am happy that he is blessed with a lovely family and a good
job too. May the Servant of God be raised soon to the honours
of the Altar.
Mrs Victoria Richard Serrao,
Hosanagar, Shimoga
14
 SD RAYMOND’S MAGNUM OPUS:
ZEAL FOR THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
Sr Dr Surekha Lobo BS

Introduction
On July 16, 2021, the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little
Flower of Bethany, Mangalore across the globe celebrated with great
exuberance its centenary and this year marks 102nd anniversary. At
this juncture, it is worthwhile to recall the mandate given to the
Servant of God Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas (hereafter
SD Raymond) and the members of the Congregation - to have the
gospel preached to the poor. Barely after 14 years of his ordination,
SD Raymond was sent to a barren land, Bendur situated within the
jurisdiction of Mangalore town to take care of a newly carved out
parish in 1914.1 While a pastor there, he sought to discern what
God was calling him to do and his ministry was getting shaped
accordingly. He was someone who thought ‘outside the box,’ and
encouraged others to be so. How was SD Raymond successful? What
were his hidden energies that translated his vision into a reality?
What steps could be taken by the Bethany Sisters in the post
centenary era to have the gospel preached to the poor? To understand
the evangelical zeal of SD Raymond one needs to know his theological
vision, his God concept which serves as an inspiration and the
particular aspect of the mystery of the life and mission of Jesus2 that
urged him to found Bethany with a specific focus on the mission for
the poor, especially women.
While delving deeper into the sources of the vision and mission
of SD Raymond, what comes to mind are the words of Prophet
Isaiah, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the one who
brings good tidings” (Is 52:7). These words embody God in Jesus
walking with the poor and the periphery. At this juncture, a reflection
into the Exodus experience (Ex 2:23-24; 3:7-10) and the gospel
vision of Jesus Christ will offer significant insights into the relevance
of being an Apostle/ a daughter of Bethany today.
1
D’Souza Violette BS, The Vine That He Planted, A Brief History of the Congregation of
the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany Mangalore 1921-1989, Mangalore, p. 3.
2
Flossy Molly Lobo (Sr Surekha BS), Presence-Solidarity, p. 92.

35
The GOD who hears the CRY of the Poor
Understanding God as compassion and love is the root of every
Christian commitment for solidarity, because God in three persons is
the prototype of what and how our relationship should be. The
essence of the Exodus event seen through the eyes of faith and
articulated in history are on the basis of God’s fundamental option
towards the human beings. From the point of view of God and the
people, this oppression was an evil that could not be tolerated. People,
in their helplessness, cried to God and God heard their cry. “As their
cry for release went up to God, he heard their groaning and was
mindful of his covenant” (Ex 2:23-24). God’s covenant with Israel
was to walk with them and to protect them from their enemies. God
therefore confronted the evil of injustice and sided with the poor.
Therefore, living God’s life contributes towards the unity of the
Christian community and the harmony among all people of good
will.3 Solidarity is the very nature of God, which acquires a new
meaning in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ.
The Gospel Vision of Jesus
Jesus’ identification with the poor and the marginalised was the
hallmark of his life and mission. Right from the moment of his birth
till his death on the Cross we find Jesus in search of and in the
company of, and in solidarity with and at the service of the
marginalized of society, which can be summarized under four basic
truths:
™ Jesus’ birth as God’s fundamental option for the poor (Lk 2:1-
11): Jesus the God became flesh and entered into human history
as helpless, homeless and poor. He decided to be born as one
among us - in a manger which was indeed a sign of his
fundamental option for the poor and the marginalized. This
ushered in a new and lasting expression of divine solidarity.
™ Annunciation as Jesus’ identification with the poor (Luke 1:26-
45): The very event of Annunciation unfolds the mystery of God
3
Catherine Mowry LaCugna, “The practical Trinity,” The Christian Century 109, no. 22
(July 1992): 681-682. Cf. Sr Surekha Lobo BS, “Being a Poor Church for the Poor and
the Periphery: The Contribution of Pope Francis” in Towards Renewing Church and
World Flossy Molly Lobo (Sr Surekha BS), Presence-Solidarity, p.291.: Revisiting Vatican
Council II through the eyes of Pope Francis, ed. Francis Gonsalves SJ, Arjen Tete SJ ,
Dinesh Braganza SJ, (JD-ISPCK, 2020), p. 281.

36
 represented by the Angel, reaching out to all humanity,
represented in the person of Mary, who is given the offer of
being the mother of God. The incarnation is always a call to
follow Jesus in his solidarity with humankind, expressed
concretely through his consistent and progressive identification
with the poor.
™ Jesus’ Ministry unto the Peripheries (Nazareth Mt 2:23; Mk 1:9;
Bethsaida Mk 6:45; 8:22; Lk 9:10; Capernaum Mt 9:1; Mk 1:21;
2:1, 9:33; Lk 10:15): A very significant observation in Jesus’
public ministry is the places he chose to go around to begin his
public ministry. Jesus chose remote and unknown villages such
as Nazareth, which is not mentioned anywhere else outside the
New Testament (Mt 2:23; Mk 1:9), Bethsaida (Mk 6:45; 8:22;
Lk 9:10) which was a small remote fishing village and the rural
township of Capernaum which was sort of his headquarters
during his Galilean ministry (Mt 9:1; Mk 1:21; 2:1; 9:33; Lk
10:15).
™ The Nazareth Manifesto of Jesus as power of resistance (Lk
4:1-13; Lk 4:16-30): The Nazareth Manifesto as recorded in Lk
4:16-30 is considered by most of the New Testament scholars
to be the programmatic statement of Jesus’ vision statement.
In the inaugural sermon of Jesus is a ‘mission manifesto’
predicted in Isaiah 61:1-2 and the message is: “The Spirit of
the Lord is upon me… to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour...”
This ‘mission manifesto’ of Jesus reveals the significance of his
mission as proclamation of the good news, freeing those who
are oppressed, offering sight to the blind and restoring health
to the sick.
™ Paschal Mystery as the essence of Jesus’ solidarity. (Mt 25:40; 2
Cor 12: 9): The identification with the poor is complete, so
complete that “in so far as you did this to one of the least of
these brothers of mine, you did it to me” (Mt 25.40). What was
begun at the incarnation now reaches its fulfilment - a total and
radical identification with poor and periphery – “where [God’s]
power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12-9).
The Gospel vision of Jesus is, therefore, an embodied reality.
“To bring good news to the poor” was the commitment for the poor
37
which Jesus spelt out right from his inaugural sermon as he began
his public ministry (Lk 4:16-30). The fact that SD Raymond took the
name ‘FRANCIS’ as his middle name – reminiscent of Francis Xavier
– confirms his understanding of Evangelization primarily “to have
the gospel preached to the poor.”4
The Making of SD Raymond’s Dream
SD Raymond lived in the 20th century as a priest of the diocese
of Mangalore and the Founder of Bethany Congregation. His father
greatly contributed to Raymond’s daring spirit and courage to venture
into the new and unknown. Firmness of character stood in good
stead to the end of his life. Speaking about his mother’s influence it
is said that it was from his mother that he inherited certain
characteristics he was known for such as a well-disciplined firmness,
a measured appreciation for life, and extreme tenaciousness. SD
Raymond was known for his keen intellect, rare talents and
outstanding performance. The role of a Jesuit priest of St Aloysius
College Mangalore had great influence on his life, spirituality and
the options he made in life. With his firm resolution, “Why should I
be an instrument of evil? I would rather go about doing good”,5 he
lived up to this ideal till the end desiring to make something happen,
to change the way things were, to create something that no one
else had ever shaped before.
Holy Spirit is the dynamic principle in the Godhead and the third
person of the Trinity. Lukan Gospel bears witness to the fact that
Church is led by the Holy Spirit. It is in this context I draw inspiration
from SD Raymond as a true son of the Church who was dynamic,
enthusiastic and energetic remained open to the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit and communicated this gift to his daughters, the Bethany
Sisters. SD Raymond spent hours in deep contemplation and it
spurred him to have an evangelical urge to preach the gospel to the
poor.6 His evangelical urge is an impetus for the Bethany Sisters to
be the ambassadors of the gospel.

4
D’Souza BS, The Vine That He Planted…p. 28.
5
Sister M Violette D’Souza BS, Unless the Seed Die A Brief Sketch of Monsignor RFC
Mascarenhas, Mangalore: (Mangalore: Codialbail Press), pp. 1-9.
6
D’Souza BS, The Vine That He Planted… p. 28.

38
SD Raymond: Actualizing his Dream
The zeal for the proclamation of the gospel is manifested in a
special way by the Bethany Sisters in India and Nepal (Asia), Italy,
Germany, France and Vatican (Europe) and Mauritania, Senegal and
Tanzania (Africa). The zeal brings to mind three steps in the life of
SD Raymond: First, after SD Raymond arrived at Bendur, he worked
with indefatigable zeal to develop his parish; he turned his attention
towards the education of the young. He let his imagination grow
wide and envisioned to provide quality education to promote fullness
of life was his goal. Second, SD Raymond allowed his dream to
flower forth gradually unlike lightning on the road to Damascus. He
dreamt of having “a steady supply of dedicated Christian teachers
who would teach in the school and in other ways assist in the work
of proclaiming the gospel” and he turned to God in prayer.7 Third,
SD Raymond’s8 idea of founding a Congregation considered to be
the magnum opus9 - with the double aim of making religious life
possible for many poor young girls and preparing a band of apostles
to carry the good news of the Kingdom to the poor sparked a
movement that’s still going on till today. It is a Kairos moment or a
perfect moment to set the stage for the song to sing. Recall at this
juncture the famous speech of Martin Luther King Junior, “I Have a
Dream” which rocked the world. Similar thing happened in the life
of SD Raymond; things got changed in the course of the history of
the diocese of Mangalore. God began to act in SD Raymond in a
most surpassing manner as described by Prophet Isaiah (55:8–11)
magnificently, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your
ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than
7
D’Souza BS, The Vine That He Planted…p. 4.
8
By virtue of Creation, and still more the Incarnation, nothing here below is profane for
those who know how to see.”- Pierre Telihard de Chardin SJ. Cf. Carol Ann Smith
SHCJ & Eugene F Metz SJ, Moments to Remember: Ignatian Wisdom for Ageing, (New
City press of the Focolare, Hyde Park, NY,2015), p 87.
9
A Magnum Opus which in Latin means, “Great work,” that shows up in altered forms in
several English words, and perhaps you can also come up with a few words that are
related to opus (“work”). Magnum opus, which entered English in the 18th century,
retains the original Latin spelling and the literal meaning “great work.” Although the
term most often refers to literary, musical, or artistic productions, it has been used to
describe many kinds of great works, including games, construction projects, and even
surgical techniques. https://www.merriam webster.com/dictionary/magnum%20opus
accessed on 18.2.2023.

39
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts…” It is said that SD Raymond took to prayer the
existential situation of his times and looked at them through the
eyes of God and God brought forth Bethany in answer to a crying
need. His vision was deeply rooted in the hearts of the poor; it was
for them that he opened the doors of education, faith formation,
literacy, empowerment and dignity of labour. Bethany becomes the
visible embodiment of the inspired words of Prophet Isaiah.
SD Raymond: A Champion of Education
On founding Bethany, besides the religious motive, it was the
education, empowerment and employment of those in the periphery
that struck the chord of SD Raymond. For this purpose, he envisioned
the Bethany Educational Society ® Mangalore (BES) and registered
it on 4 September 1948. Today it is at the threshold of Platinum
Jubilee celebration. Since 75 years, BES has imparted education for
fullness of life by opening schools for the rural poor. Importance is
given to the education of girls, the poor and the marginalized. Bethany
has toiled towards the emancipation and development of the
underprivileged, illiterate and the backward sections of the society.
To make education available at their doorsteps, BES after the heart
of SD Raymond has established educational institutions in the
vernacular medium in remote villages. They have worked towards
self-reliance of women through vocational training institutions. It
would not have been possible for BES to light the torch of education
if not for the liberative vision of SD Raymond who believed that the
change in the society is possible chiefly through education of the
rural masses.
The journey of Bethany in the past 102 years has been a blessing
to the Church especially to the poor. SD Raymond as an icon of
compassion has been a beacon of light and hope for the BES. The
Platinum Jubilee celebration based on the theme ‘Transformative
Education for Fullness of Life towards Human Fraternity’ will certainly
have ripple effects in the society. I feel proud to say that BES has
endured and survived the storms of each decade and has made
many milestones which are too hard to forget!

40
SD Raymond: A Visionary who Walked on the Periphery
SD Raymond and those on the periphery were closely knit in
many ways. His outreaching vision took him to the extent of taking
risks on behalf of them. Education he thought was one of the means
to realize his vision. While doing this, his intent was to reveal God’s
compassionate love to the poor, especially girls/women. The phrase
“Walking on the Periphery” is from Pope Francis and it is a concept
of paramount significance to his pontificate.10 After the example of
Jesus who not only walks with us or we walk with him, but “in his
company we become companions to one another”. If SD Raymond
were to be here today, he would have gladly appropriated the options
and choices of Pope Francis because from his earliest days, SD
Raymond’s purpose was to make alive “God-with-us,” the Immanuel,
the Incarnate God for whose sake God had left the heavenly glory.
His vision was born of the mission manifesto of Jesus (cf. Lk. 4:16-
18) and that led him to choose an unbeaten path, nay, to carve a
new path.
SD Raymond a Man of the Church and for the Church
As a true disciple of Christ, SD Raymond was united with Jesus
of Nazareth. He identified himself with the person, message and
mission of Christ and was obsessed with the evangelical urge to
have the gospel preached to the poor and to make the Christian
world become conscious of its apostolic call. His consuming zeal for
Christ and his Kingdom was so great that no hurdles prevented him
from moving ahead. He was a man with a passion, passion for the
mission, passion for the proclamation of the good news to the poor.
He was a man who treasured values, maintained high ethical
standards, drew inspiration in spirituality, and was driven by values
of honesty and integrity. He dared to take risks, risks on behalf of
the poor and the marginalized. He was convinced that risk-taking
was part of being a leader. Should not the Bethany Sisters be ignited
by his fire? The imperative for the Church in India is to walk with
Jesus and preach the gospel to all, in all places, on all occasions,
without hesitation. What he envisaged a century ago is now being
contemplated by the Government and NGOs. What he sowed in
tears then, is now being reaped with joy. God centeredness led him
to trust in the Divine Providence who could boldly and convincingly
10
Sr Dr Surekha Lobo BS (Flossy Molly Lobo), Presence-Solidarity: The Significance of
Jesus Christ for India Today in the Writings of Samuel Rayan SJ and Elisabeth Schüssler
Fiorenza, (Delhi): ISPCK, 2021), 286.
41
say: “Raymond and a couple of rupees can do nothing, but Raymond,
a couple of rupees and God can do everything.”11 God centeredness
enabled him to read the signs of time and respond to them so as to
reach out to the poor and needy in compassion and love. The life
and mission of Bethany Sisters in India and other parts of the world
bear testimony to the dream-vision, the evangelical zeal, the
spirituality and the synergy which characterized SD Raymond. What
follows is a brief contour of the relevance of SD Raymond’s Magnum
Opus in the post centenary era.
Charting a Way Forward
Indian society today is in a process of change which can be
described in various ways: it is a pluralistic, multi-cultural, multi-
religious, postmodern, digital, and globalized society equipped with
market economy, modern information and communication technology.
Paradoxically there still remains a big chasm between the haves and
have-nots, the rich and the poor, the centre and the periphery, the
mainstream and the marginalized. Obviously there are many factors
leading to such a situation. In the context of India today Bethany
Sisters are to be God centred, spiritually integrated, community
builders, and promoters of nature. Therefore, it is so essential that
Bethany Sisters attend to their on-going formation which necessitates
committing to growth process in spiritual integration, affective
maturity, building communities of human fraternity and promoting
eco-spirituality.
In other words, a clarion call is to strive to become fully human,
growing unto the stature of Jesus Christ by letting ourselves from all
that is unholy, unbecoming for a deeper rootedness in Christ. Having
been firmly rooted and being built up in him, we are to be established
in our faith, just as we were instructed by SD Raymond, and
abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7). Therefore one of the
main opportunities of Bethany in India today is to mediate God
experience and God Consciousness. God is more to be experienced
than to be intellectually known. For this one has to create a culture
or a spirituality that does not divide but unites persons irrespective
of creed, ethnicity, race and gender, a spirituality that shows concern
for the humanity and the cosmos, a spirituality that brings about
transformation within and around and a spirituality of
interdependence and interconnectedness where everyone discovers
and enhances the other as a strand in the web of life.
11
D’Souza BS, Unless the Seed Die, p.25.
42
RFC AS I SEE: A PASTOR WITH UNCTION FOR MISSION
Fr Walter D’Mello

RFC - Anointed to Preach the Good News: RFC hailed from a

family of many priests and nuns. His family was a cradle of vocations.
His parents were noted for Christian values – love, spirituality,
generosity, prayer, spirit of service and sacrifice, commitment and
dedication to faith, forgiveness and devotion. Such an environment
positively influenced him right from his childhood and led him to
respond to the vocation to be a priest.
RFC - Responded to the Lord’s call: At a very young age, RFC
joined the St Joseph’s Seminary in Mangalore much to the
disappointment of his family members. He was ordained at the age
of 25, on 4th March 1900 by the titular Bishop of Mangalore, Cavadini
SJ with a mandate “Accept from the Holy People of God the gifts to
be offered to Him, Know what you are doing and imitate the mystery
you celebrate, model your life on the mystery of the Lord’s Cross.”
These immortal words shaped his vision and mission as a pastor in
the footsteps of His Master, Jesus Christ.
RFC - A Man of Prayer: He used to spend long hours before the
Holy Sacrament. He was a special devotee of Mother Mary right
from his childhood as he was born on a day consecrated to Mother
Mary, i.e. 23 January 1875. In difficult times he would spend longer
hours in prayer in order to know the will of God. He used to kneel
with his hands raised before the Holy Sacrament and pray for the
solution to every problem that he faced in various parishes. Rosary
and Breviary in hand, and kneeling before the Holy Sacrament with
hands raised were common sights for anyone who visited him. Such
was his steadfast faith in God. People who witnessed his prayerful
life and experienced his profound concern for the poor and the
downtrodden called him a ‘holy priest’, ‘saintly priest’, ‘man of God’
and so on. In fact his remarkable achievements as a pastor clearly
elevate him to the class of Melchizedek.
RFC - An Epitome of Virtues: RFC practiced mercy, piety, and
fidelity to our Lord as well as love, charity and poverty. He had great
concern for the poor, the least, the last and the lost in the society.
He devoted himself to the service of the poor and ignorant wherever
he was sent as a pastor. In fact, he spent his entire life in empowering
43
the weaker sections of the society, including women. He started
sodalities for boys and girls as training grounds that led to a number
of vocations to priestly and religious life; he established a sodality
for Altar Servers, and the Society of Vincent de Paul for men who
wanted to engage themselves in the service of the poor. His personal
life was a model to many young men and women to embrace
priesthood or consecrated life.
RFC - An accomplished Orator: RFC preached retreats both in
Konkani and English, provided ample opportunities to his parishioners
for receiving sacraments of Penance and Eucharist, offered religious
instructions and created opportunities for the education of children
with a preference for the poor, especially girls. He was such a powerful
preacher that people from the neighbouring parishes used to come
to listen to his sermons. “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a kernel of
wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a seed; but if it
dies, it bears much fruit” (Jn 12:24) was very true in the life of RFC.
He allowed himself to be crushed in order to alleviate the sufferings
of the less fortunate sections of our society. His parishioners of
Udyavar, Agrar and Bendur bear witness to this fact.
RFC – A Pastor in the Footsteps of Jesus: RFC was clear about
his ministry as a priest. His mission was designed after the Manifesto
of Jesus in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he has
anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to heal the broken
hearted, to set the captives free…” RFC was aware that he was
anointed to ameliorate the sufferings of the poor and the
downtrodden, and to release the oppressed from the clutches of the
oppressor and to establish justice in the society. In such a liberative
service, RFC spent his whole life. Not only did he preach, he also set
to action what he preached. He had great love for children, especially
those who were deprived of social and economic status in society.
To elevate them from their misery he established a number of schools,
boarding houses, orphanages, industrial and technical schools and
worked for their integral development.
As a dedicated Pastor, Vicar General, President of Catholic
Association of South Canara, Member of District Education Council,
Member of Mangalore Municipal Council, President of Mangalore
Roman Catholic Pioneering Fund, President of Mangalore Catholic
Truth Society and the Founder of Bethany Congregation he worked
44
relentlessly to meet the needs of the deprived, the disadvantaged,
destitute, and the marginalized. He was a messenger of good news
to them who brought a smile on their sullen face. While doing so, he
never discriminated anyone based on caste, creed and religion. For
RFC all were children of God; his vision was inclusive and mission
was without boundaries.
RFC – A Visionary: As a visionary, RFC discovered a huge potential
among ordinary rural young women who were keen and willing to
be partners in his mission. He prayed to God and Mother Mary to
show him a way to harness this great resource for the greater glory
of God. His heart melted when he experienced the need of many
rural women who were eager to enter into religious life but were
deprived of opportunities as there were no local religious
organizations which took care of the rural areas. RFC wanted to fill
this vacuum by establishing a local religious order. His initiative
brought to birth the Bethany Congregation which made religious life
possible for hundreds of young girls to be the messengers of good
news. Bethany was an apple of his eye. It began as a seed and
today it has grown into a gigantic tree, a full pledged religious
Congregation of Pontifical status, covering the entire country with
175 houses in the 53 dioceses of India. It has also spread its wings
in 13 dioceses of Italy, Germany, France, Vatican, Mauritania, Senegal
and Tanzania. The rapid growth of Bethany is a sufficient proof that
the divine providence was working through RFC. The Bethany Sisters
are rendering their valuable and selfless service in schools, boarding
houses, orphanages, parish churches, homes for the aged, health
clinics, direct evangelization and apostolic work thus realizing the
dream of their founder, viz. empowerment of the masses.

45
 RFC: A VISIONARY EDUCATIONIST
Fr Cedric Prakash SJ

On October 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI proclaimed Gravissimum

Educationis, the ‘Declaration on Christian Education’. This Declaration
was a path-breaking on several counts. The introduction paragraphs
of the document emphasise that ‘Education is extremely important
in the life of men and women today and therefore it should be fostered
by the Church; it should be done under the principles of subsidiarity
and “to fulfil the mandate she has received from her divine founder
of proclaiming the mystery of salvation to all men and of restoring
all things in Christ.”
The Declaration has twelve subsections. The first one asserts,
“All men of every race, condition and age, since they enjoy the
dignity of a human being, have an inalienable right to an education
that is in keeping with their ultimate goal, their ability, their sex, and
the culture and tradition of their country, and also in harmony with
their fraternal association with other peoples in the fostering of true
unity and peace on earth. For a true education aims at the formation
of the human person in the pursuit of his ultimate end and of the
good of the societies of which, as man, he is a member, and in
whose obligations, as an adult, he will share” (#1).
The Declaration emphasises that ‘Christian education must make
its principal goal to introduce the baptized more fully to the gift of
Faith and the Triune God. Education comes from the parents; who
are the “primary and principal educators” of children. Parents cannot
have this right taken from them by the State; the family serves as
the “first school of social virtues that every society needs.” Further,
“it is particularly the Christian family, enriched by the grace and
office of the sacrament of matrimony, that children should be taught
from their early years to have a knowledge of God according to the
faith received in Baptism, to worship Him, and to love their neighbour”
(# 3).
The Declaration is unequivocal in maintaining that, “it is the
task of the State to see to it that all citizens are able to come to a
suitable share in culture and are properly prepared to exercise their
civic duties and rights. Therefore, the state must protect the rights
46
of children to an adequate school education, check on the ability of
teachers and the excellence of their training, look after the health of
the pupils and in general, promote the whole school project. But it
must always keep in mind the principle of subsidiarity so that there
is no kind of school monopoly, for this is opposed to the native
rights of the human person, to the development and spread of culture,
to the peaceful association of citizens and to the pluralism that exists
today in ever so many societies”(#6). Moral and religious education
is to be in all schools and Catholic schools must not only prepare
students to be good workers in the earthly city, but also prepare
them to serve in the Kingdom of God. This should be reflected in all
levels of education from elementary schools to the highest
universities.
More than forty years before this Declaration was promulgated,
Fr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas was already putting into
practice the pointed directions of Gravissimum Educationis. He was
an educationist ‘par excellence’; a true visionary, who was convinced
that education was a non-negotiable means for empowerment of
the sub-alterns of society. He did not stop with his dreams but did
all he could, to ensure the realisation of what he envisaged.
RFC’s unflinching commitment to education took him to where
it mattered the most: to the rural and remote areas of Karnataka; to
people who had no access to any education – leave alone, quality
education. At a time when ‘beti bachao’ was not ‘fashionable’, he
promoted and ensured the education of the girl child. In a matter of
time, thousands of girls (who would have otherwise been doomed
to illiteracy or to primary education of a poor quality) flocked to the
schools he or his fledgling Congregation of the Sisters of the Little
Flower of Bethany had begun. The axiom ‘educate a woman and
you educate a generation; in fact, an entire nation’ was perhaps a
motivating aspect of what led him to do so much for the education
of young girls.
From the time he began his priestly ministry in 1900, RFC began
promoting ‘catholic education’ with undaunted zeal. For him education
had to be holistic and it could not be limited only to the formal
system; so non-formal education (mainly for adults) was begun and
so was education of skill which included industrial/technical education

47
and even agricultural education. It was not easy to begin these
institutions, but he did so without counting the cost. For those children
from very remote areas, who would have had to travel long distances
by infrequent and even erratic public transport, he began boarding
schools and even orphanages; many a deserving child profited
immensely from these path breaking initiatives.
RFC also believed that teachers played an important role in the
nurturing and formation of the students entrusted to their care. He
always highlighted the need and importance of character formation
of the students as well as faith formation of the Catholics. He exhorted
the teachers to make the children good, industrious and useful
members of the society. He underscored that teachers ought to inspire
the pupils by their word and example and to have the ability to treat
them with understanding, kindness and affection at all times. He
never compromised on this. Realizing the importance of teachers of
quality and commitment RFC began the Bethany Congregation and
also a Teacher Training Institute at Rosa Mystica. This was long
before ‘Gravissimum Educationis’ stated, “Let teachers recognize
that the Catholic school depends upon them almost entirely for the
accomplishment of its goals and programmes. They should therefore
be very carefully prepared so that both in secular and religious
knowledge they are equipped with suitable qualifications and also
with a pedagogical skill that is in keeping with the findings of the
contemporary world. Intimately linked in charity to one another and
to their students and endowed with an apostolic spirit, may teachers
by their life as much as by their instruction bear witness to Christ,
the unique Teacher. Let them work as partners with parents and
together with them in every phase of education …” (#8).
In 1921, Fr RFC Mascarenhas founded the Congregation of the
Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. The commitment to education
of the pioneers and the early batches of sisters was unparalleled.
Thanks to the inspiration and motivation of the Founder. In just
about twenty-seven years there were 34 educational institutions
catering to thousands of students – mainly girls. September 4, 1948
was a red-letter day for the Congregation when ‘The Bethany
Educational Society’® Mangalore (BES) was registered under the
Societies Registration Act, 1860. The 34 institutions at that time

48
included under BES were Agricultural Farm, Weaving Centres,
Tailoring and Embroidery Centres in addition to Educational Centres.
Each of the institutions at that time were a testimony to the farsighted
and holistic vision of the Founder.
Today, 75 years after he began the Bethany Educational Society,
the vision of the great educationist Fr RFC Mascarenhas poses a
serious challenge to the entire educational system of the country.
By and large, education in India is in the doldrums. There are several
indicators to evidence this; in several States, there is still a high
degree of illiteracy (30% plus); many who complete primary schooling
from Government–run institutions are not able to deal with the basics
of the 3R’s. The vast majority of the ‘educated’ class in India belong
to the urban and semi-urban areas; most of them go to private
educational institutions which charge high fees or to Government–
aided schools which are run by private bodies like the missionary
schools. It is therefore not surprising that millions of young men
and women make a bee-line for foreign schools/universities. What
RFC did some hundred years ago, was to address the serious flaws
that existed in the educational system at that time and which still
persist today.
Significantly on 29 March 2022, the Congregation for Catholic
Education of the Universal Catholic Church issued a path-breaking
Instructionon ‘The identity of the Catholic school for a culture of
dialogue’. The Instruction unequivocally states, “In its
declaration Gravissimum Educationis, the Council offered a set of
“fundamental principles” regarding Christian education, especially
in schools. In the first place, education, as the formation of the
human person, is a universal right: “All men of every race, condition
and age, since they enjoy the dignity of a human being, have an
inalienable right to an education that is in keeping with their ultimate
goal, their ability, their sex, and the culture and tradition of their
country, and also in harmony with their fraternal association with
other peoples in the fostering of true unity and peace on earth. For
a true education aims at the formation of the human person in the
pursuit of his ultimate end and of the good of the societies of which,
as man, he is a member, and in whose obligations, as an adult, he
will share” (#11). RFC was convinced that Catholic education was

49
indeed the way to form women and men for others and in keeping
with the values enshrined in the Constitution, to ensure that the
young women and men who were educated in the Bethany institutions
were imbued with justice, liberty, equality and fraternity.
Our poet and Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore lived for some
years as a contemporary of RFC. Both had a similar vision on
education. Tagore writes, “The mind of the child is always on the
alert, restless and eager to receive first-hand knowledge from Mother
Nature. Children should be surrounded with the things of nature
which have their own educational value. Their minds should be
allowed to stumble upon and surprised at everything that happens
in today’s life. Children’s minds are sensitive to the influences of the
world. Their sub-conscious minds are active, always imbibing some
lesson, and realizing the joy of knowing. This sensitive receptivity
allows them, without any strain, to master language, which is the
most complex and difficult instrument of expression, full of indefinite
ideas and abstract symbols… Because of this, their introduction to
the world of reality is easy and joyful.” Words which epitomise RFC
the educator!
As the BES celebrates its platinum year focussed on the theme
‘Transformative Education for Fullness of Life towards Human
Fraternity’ the challenge then for all educators, particularly Catholic
ones and specifically those who belong to the Bethany family: is to
contextualise the vision of RFC the educator into today’s reality and
to have his courage, compassion and commitment to ensure its
realisation among those students who want education to be a key
for a hope-filled tomorrow!

50
 FROM THE LIPS OF A BES TEACHER -
SD RAYMOND, A LEGEND
Mrs Zena Chauhan

The legend lives on… What is to give light must endure burning.
A caring relation does not require a large talk, a soft message is
enough because it is not the words that speak but the heart that
feels!!! History will always remember Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the
key role he played in transforming the world, especially the girl child,
in his times. He left an indelible mark for generations yet unborn to
see and applaud. What a Legend!
The Compassionate Pastor, fondly known, was a source of hope
and inspiration for the oppressed and downtrodden in the world. He
was willing to and did stand up to help defend the rights of poor,
and the innocent who could not fight for themselves. The past has a
warm glow and a comforting smell when we turn over its yellowed
pages as it establishes the roots of the present and makes you feel
nostalgic, a flag bearer of continuity. I am privileged to have been
given this wonderful opportunity to share my great respect for Father
Founder.
34 years of association with the Bethany Family as a teacher in
St Theresa Convent School Karnal has been the most abounding
and fruitful experience of my life. Very few people are successful in
leading an organization to global success and creating a great name
and reputation for themselves in pursuit of that leadership in the
world of education. For what I gathered that he was the most beloved
and respected educationist visionary- breaking the ceiling and
conquering the world of the girl child, touching their hearts, all this
is credited to his openness to try the IMPOSSIBLE. Although, he
faced many hardships experienced by the less fortunate and aimed
to make their life-style better by sending them to school, for he
believed in ‘If you want to walk far, walk together’. Being an empirical,
his beliefs motivated others to ignite minds by unleashing the power
within. The singleness of purpose, devotion and dedication displayed
by him, can be traced in all Bethany institutions which are striving
towards excellence with a holistic approach. The great champion’s
vision, his personal values, such as discipline, divinity, prayer,
51
consistency of purpose, courage and confidence have gone on the
making of the sole purpose - education for fullness for life. His purpose
involved the vision, goal and core values, through a process of
envisioning the values of the Founder and the Founding members.
We the extended members of the BES family have learnt to permeate
by those values in our day-to-day life, whereas the Bethany Sisters
have refined excellence in terms of Gospel values and have spelt out
these values beautifully and most effectively for many decades.
I have been fortunate enough to know him, to learn about him
and most importantly sing the self-composed songs of his values,
his dream mission and purpose. Father Founder, the Compassionate
Pastor demonstrated a life worthy of emulation as he loved everyone
around, dearly and invested heavily, sacrificing his life for the great
cause - the emancipation of women (girl child). His purpose dispelled
the darkness of ignorance, thus instilling the spirit of knowing more,
leading human souls to what is best and make the best of them. In
the wounded world, which needed healing and compassion, in the
midst of our vulnerability and emptiness, the generations have been
gifted with a sense of new life, grace and promises. ‘Mgr RFC was
greatness personified’.
His contribution to community development was first-class. He
made everyone happy, mentored a good number of stewards into
greatness. His impact on education shows how he has changed
masses, proving befittingly that education is the most powerful
weapon to change the world.
Greatness is not only in building monuments and leaving a great
empire behind. This is true of the Servant of God. Rest on great
hero! Thank you for leaving a good legacy for us and the generations
to come. Rest gently in the arms of the Saviour as we celebrate your
dedication coupled with compassion!

52
 THROUGH THE EYES OF A BES EDUCATOR: SD
RAYMOND A TRENDSETTER
Mrs Neena Sebastian, Kalpetta

Twenty years of service with the Bethany family has given me

ample opportunities to get glimpses of the great personality, SD
Raymond. But writing an article on him is indeed a herculean task; I
realize that that it requires a profound research and deeper knowledge
of him. The more I read about him, the more I increased in my
efforts to know him. Shall I say that I acclaimed with St Augustine,
“Late have I loved you O beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I
loved you.”
I was awestruck by the great faith and love our Father Founder
had for his Creator. His visions were strappingly founded on his great
love and belief in God. I was touched and inspired by the compassion
he showered on those who approached him. His vision brought
thousands of marginalized to the limelight and he believed that love
for God and God’s love were adequate qualifications for an individual
to serve the poor. I was particularly touched by his reply to sisters
who had requested his prayers for the success in their examination.
“I have asked our blessed Mother to remind Jesus that you have no
wine.” Or “Commit your ways to the Lord; trust in him, and He will
act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for Him” (Ps.37:5,7).
I was astounded by such mammoth faith. Living in a materialistic
world surrounded by social media, for a lay person like me, such a
feeling is beautiful.
I am inspired by SD Raymond, the way he focussed on the dignity
of labour in his Congregation. I was profoundly touched by his saying,
“Let us do our work for God, for eternity. What we can do may be
very little. But the little we shall give to God. He will bless us
abundantly”. He was inviting everyone to participate in the creative
work of God, to contribute to the incessant progression of science
and technology and above all, to elevating unceasingly the cultural
and ethical level of the world in which we live. In his genuine love for
those around him, the Servant of God saw that there was no
demarcation based on the chores they do. Much more, realizing the
need of scientific education, he sent many sisters for training in
weaving, dress making, tailoring and embroidery. He opened St
Martha’s Industrial School and St Joseph’s Weaving Centre especially
for women and girls. Such was his quest in bringing pragmatic and

53
excellent education that promotes fullness of life for all, especially
girls.
When I joined St Joseph’s Convent School, Kalpetta, Kerala in
2000, we were a small group. The first batch of CBSE X Std had only
15 students. Unlike other CBSE schools, our school catered to the
poorer sections of the society; the CBSE education was open to all.
The studies of the students and shaping of their personality was the
priority of the Management as parents were helpless. Many a time,
the Management has lent its helping hands to the economically poor
and the socially weak. One particular incident remains etched in my
mind. A child who was issued TC from another school for poor academic
performance was admitted to class 10. The Principal from her school
warned my Principal of the adverse effects of admitting her as her
performance was below average. But the school decided to give her
a chance, in spite of the fact that one failure would tarnish the
reputation of a growing school. By God’s grace, the child fared well in
her exams, and is shining in the society today. Such instances gave
us, teachers, a secret pleasure and conviction that we have done a
good deed before the Almighty and in accordance with the great
vision of SD Raymond, a model par excellence!
It is pleasing to note that Father Founder desired to have the
educational institutions in remote areas. The purpose was to uplift
those denied access to education, the poor and the marginalized, to
enable them to develop their unique potentials to build a just and
humane society. To take such a bold step, one requires a large heart
with unblemished love for his fellow beings and unabated faith in the
Almighty. He believed in the testimony of St Paul, “My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor.12:9). Perhaps
often he would repeat with the psalmist, “The Lord is my light and
my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid?” St Joseph Convent School, Kalpetta,
itself is strong evidence that the Congregation founded by him with
great love, has fulfilled the great mission. What was the need for the
Servant of God to start a mission in a remote area like Wayanad
where transport services and other facilities were very poor? What
must have been his driving force? I am sure it was the Mission
Manifesto of Jesus, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he
has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor… (Lk.4:18). I salute
this enlightening visionary with pride.
54
 Another dimension to the vision of the Servant of God was opening
hostels for the poor especially girls. Students who stayed in such
hostels were not only given quality education but also were bestowed
upon love and care in abundance. I have had the opportunity to
converse with those students from 1973-74 and the way they spoke
of their mentors gave me an impression that there was a deep bond
with their teachers and hostel wardens. After 50 exemplary years of
eventful journey, I can boldly say that they have grown into full-
fledged human beings, successful in various walks of life. Thanks to a
great visionary, Servant of God, RFC Mascarenhas. This would not
have been possible if he had not ventured into the soil of Wayanad to
kindle the light of knowledge.
In the modern world where educational institutions and hospitals
are considered as great business prospects, the vision of the holy
man to provide education for all stands apart. Certainly he was guided
by God’s unconditional love. God chose men that we would never
have chosen and his plans are such that we never would have
conceived of. Going through the pages of his life was a God experience
for me. I have the great satisfaction of going on a spiritual journey
and introspecting and deepening my faith in the Almighty. May God
raise this great philanthropist and noble soul to the honours of the
Altar!

The Compassionate Pastor

Published twice a year, in June and December. No subscription.
The Roman Phase of the Cause of the Beatification and Canonization is in
Progress in Rome. Sr Dona Sanctis BS continues to be the Roman Postulator.
Donations will be gratefully accepted to meet the expenses of the
process of Beatification and Canonization sent to the following
addresses:
Foreign Contributors:
INTESA SAN PAOLO SpA
FILIALE TERZO SETTORE
DISTACCAMENTO SAN BENEDETTO DEL TRONTO
IBAN IT47 MO30 6909 6061 000 0168 945

For Indian Currency:

Cheques/drafts may be made in favour of:
Cause of Msgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas
C/o Office of the Cause for Beatification and Canonization
Bethany Convent, Kankanady Post, Mangalore - 575 002
Karnataka, India.

55
 ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS
Sr Dr Anita Stephen BS: She is a member of Bethany
Congregation. Having pursued her doctoral studies at
Claretian Pontifical Institute of Theology of the
Consecrated Life, Rome, currently she serves as the
Assistant Tertian Directress at Rosa Mystica Tertiate,
Gurpur, Mangalore.

Sr Dr Surekha Lobo BS: She as the member of Bethany

Congregation has successfully completed her doctoral
studies at Jnana Deepa Vidyapeet (JDV), Pune and at
present serves as the Provincial Councillor for Silchar
Province (North East India), in addition to being the
Province Coordinator for Formation.

Rev Fr Walter D’Mello: As an outstanding priest of

Mangalore Diocese, he has many accomplishments to
his credit as a caring Parish Priest, able Administrator
and Director of St Joseph’s Workshop, Jeppu. Having
completed his Licentiate in canon Law at the Gregorian
University Rome, he has served in the capacity of a Judicial
Vicar for a period of 6 years.

Rev Fr Cedric Prakash SJ: He is a human rights,

reconciliation and peace activist and prolific writer, raising
prophetic voice, speaking truth to the power. For his work,
he is the recipient of several international and national
honours. He is the great grand-nephew of the Servant of
God RFC Mascarenhas.

Mrs Zena Chauhan: As a dedicated teacher, she has

served at St Theresa’s Convent Senior Sec School, Karnal
Haryana for several years and is part and parcel of the
Bethany Educational Society family. Having imbibed the
spirit SD Raymond, she has imparted quality education
as per his vision.

Mrs Neena Sebastian: Having assimilated the core

values of the Bethany Educational Society as a devoted
teacher and noted educationist, she has made an
exceptional mark at St Joseph’s Convent School, Kalpetta,
Kerala. Her commitment to the cause of education is great
and devotion to the Servant of God is remarkable.
56