In Memorium

Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Fernando

Born : 21.04.1946, Ord. : 15.10.1975, In the Lord : 27.06.2017

Rev. Fr. Lorenzo Fernando was born in 1946 in Periathalai. He did his Philosophy and Theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum, known as Jnana Deepa Vidyapeeth (JDV) Pune. He was ordained in 1975.

After his ordination, he served as the warden in Ambrosiana hostel attached to St. Thomas Matriculation School, Tuticorin and taught English in the High School.

Teaching Apostolate in Pune:
In 1979, he was sent to JDV, where he studied Philosophy and Theology, to teach catechetics. In order to qualify himself to be a full-fledged faculty member, he pursued his doctorate in theology with specialization in catechetics at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome. After successfully completing his studies, he joined the Papal Seminary community both as a Formator of seminarians and professor in the Pontifical Athenaeum. He taught catechetics and liturgy for 28 long years until his age of retirement (65 years) in 2011.
During his stay in Pune, he served as the Dean of Theology in JDV for two full terms. He was known for his organizing skills especially in liturgical functions. He authored two books. ‘Anthropological Method and Attitudinal change’ and ‘Word in the World’, and further he was also co-editor of the book entitled ‘Quest for an Indian Church’.

Service in the Diocese and Tamilnadu:
Father Lorenzo served as Parish Priest of Kuthenkuli for a little more than one year and as Vicar General of the diocese for roughly one and a half year. From 2011 to 2013, he was the Rector of Little Flower Seminary and from 2013 to 2015 he served as Dean of MMI (Missionaries of Mary Immaculate) Seminary, Palanchur, Chennai and as Rector of the same Seminary from 2015 to 2017, March.

Last stages:
In the beginning of June (04.06.2017), he fell down and broke his right shoulder bone. Immediately he was rushed to St. Joseph’s MMI hospital at Porur and then eventually to Ramachandra Hospital in Chennai. When his condition became better and was fit enough to travel, he was sent to Tuticorin. On the way, as his health deteriorated, he was admitted in Meenakshi Mission Hospital, Madurai. After four days he was alright and so he was shifted to Sacred Heart Hospital, Tuticorin. On 26th June there was a flow of blood in motion, the cause of which could not be detected. After receiving the sacrament of anointing of the sick, he breathed his last on the following day 27th June around 6.30 p.m. in the hospital at the age of 71.

Fr. Lorenzo's fine qualities:
Many things can be said about Fr. Lorenzo’s wonderful qualities. Just to mention a few of them, he was a very fine gentleman, very humane and radically human. He made students feel very comfortable and free in his presence. He led a very simple life which became a source of inspiration for many who came in touch with him. He was a role model for students

While he was studying Philosophy, I had seen him working hard. He was deeply committed to pastoral ministry. Fr. Valerian D’ Souza – later Bishop of Pune – bore witness to his pastoral zeal as he was then the parish priest of the Cathedral parish where the young and energetic Seminarian Lorenzo used to gather the Tamil speaking faithful from the neighbouring slum. They felt uneasy to attend Mass with the English speaking parishioners. Sensing this, Brother Lorenzo pleaded with the parish priest to have regular Tamil Mass in the slum itself and he succeeded in getting permission. He then arranged priests to celebrate Sunday Mass regularly in Tamil. Thanks to his effort, this slum Wonaworie has grown into a little town now.

Fr. Lorenzo had a compassionate heart for the poor. He was an optimist and was always very positive in his outlook. He instilled this positive outlook also in others who felt very much encouraged by his positive strokes. His charming smile brought joy and cheer to the weary and discouraged and sunshine to the sad.

Fr Lorenzo! May you rest in the love, joy and peace of the Blessed Trinity is our prayer for you to the Divine.
Rev. Fr. X.D. Selvaraj