The man who said yes to the Lord

Fr. Xavier Ponthokkan,SCJ

1962-2006

It was his first year theology in St. Peter’s Seminary, Bangalore (1989), when Fr. Xavier came in contact with Frs. Vincent Landel and Mirco Trusgnach. Through them he came to know more about the congregation. At the age of 27 he made an official application to Fr. Austin Hughes in order to join the congregation. He began his novitiate in England and made his first religious vows on 14th of September 1990 in the hands of Fr. Anton Madej. He made his theological and university studies in St. Joseph’s Pontifical Seminary, Alwaye, at the University of Kerala (India), and at St. Mary’s college, Oscott, Birmingham. After 6 months of Pastoral experience course in a Salesian Community, he studied the Spirituality of Betharram in Sala Baganza. He was ordained as Priest on the 25th of August 1995 and became the first scj priest from India. Superior of the formation communities (in Bangalore, then in Mangalore), he was also the Superior of the Delegation of India since 2001. Seriously injured in a car crash, he died on October 13th 2006 in the hospital of Bangalore, surrounded by young scj brothers.

I love this silence that allows me to rest my heart in Thee

Just 45, full of life and bubbling with energy, Fr. Xavier Ponthokkan was so cruelly plucked from our midst. Returning to Bangalore from Andra Pradash after having completed some work, he fell victim to a road accident, near Anantapur. This tragedy has brought great sorrows to all those who have known this zestful young priest.

Today, as we gathered here to offer this Eucharist and to ask the Lord to be merciful to His servant. Fr. Xavier seems to be telling us: “Be Happy”. He it is who has drawn us together from different parts – his lifeless body lying here before us as well as the memory of his youthful, service filled years.

Indeed we would have been happier to have Fr. Xavier with us, to encourage us all along the path of a life of service. But today that is not how it is; he is up there in heaven, the good and faithful servant, enjoying the beatific vision and encouraging us with the example of his life.

Though we have come together because of Fr. Xavier, it is not he who has brought us here. It is the Lord Himself who has brought us here around the mortal remains of Fr. Xavier, even as Fr. Xavier himself looks down from heaven, with the smile of contentment and indescribable joy.

Fr. Xavier was indeed the good and faithful servant. He was in fact all things to all he met welcoming, encouraging, enthusiastic, generous loving and forgiving. In his presence we all felt important.

Fr. Xavier was not by any means perfect. Yet he strove to be God like in his imperfection – sharing that love which he had experienced from God. Home or room, he made sure that he found the time to be united with three Lord. This was the secret of his cordiality and the smooth relationship he maintained with young and the old.

As a Betharramite, he was optimistic about the future of the Congregation and had plans to start new missions in the more challenging regions of the country. He was concerned that there should be no losses to the congregation  on account of his actions. He referred to Betharram as a “Branch of Reconciliation” and made this a reality in the hearts of all the Betharramites in India as also in the hearts of all those whom he encountered.

The words he spoke to me just three days before his tragic death still echo in my mind. Said he: “Biju, I am very tired and I want to go home and rest for a week!” Now he has unexpectedly, tragically and so suddenly entered into his eternal rest!

We see a ship moving out of our sight, vanishing on the horizon. But because it is out of our sight it is not true that it does not exist. Indeed it is moving on to new places, meeting new peoples and entering into new relationships. So it is our dear Fr. Xavier: he has moved on into an eternal abode and into a more lasting, into an everlasting relationship with the Father in the company of the saints…

We know, we feel it in our hearts that Fr. Xavier has reached that world of eternal bliss… May his life and his works encourage us also on our way to our Father’s home. Adieu Fr. Xavier, Adieu! Adieu till we meet again in our Father’s home!

Biju Allappat,SCJ