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In Memorium
Rev. Fr. Wingling Ravi
Born : 07.03.1963, Ord.: 02.05.1988, In the Lord : 13.10.2013
Profile and Assignments:
Having been baptized at the age of 11 in Azhagappapuram in 1974, the late Fr. Joseph Wingling Ravi joined the Little Flower Seminary, Tuticorin at the completion of 8th std at St. Antony’s High School, Azhagappapuram. He was born on 07.03.1963 as the 8th child of the late Mr. Francis and Mrs. Mercy Angel of Azhagappapuram parish. Earlier, before his baptism he completed his studies from 1-7 std at the Panchyat Union Middle School, Cholavaram, Chennai. Fr. Wingling Ravi was gifted with sweet voice and music talent all through his seminary studies and even later. During his studies in Tuticorin, as a young seminarian, he was invited on many occasions to sing the responsorial psalms in the major liturgical events at the cathedral of Tuticorin. He started enhancing his musical talents in karnatic music under the guidance of Fr. Chelladurai S.J. in summer courses for four years and eventually he obtained the honour of ‘Arulisaimani’, a title given by the music academy of Fr. Chelladurai.
Having completed St. Peter’s Minor Seminary in Madurai, philosophical studies in Christ Hall, Karumathur and theological studies in St. Paul’s Seminary, Trichy, he was ordained a priest by Bishop S.T. Amalanather in Fatima Shrine, Valliyoor on 02.05.1988. During his studies in the major seminaries, he exhibited his talents in many cultural events. After his ordination to the priesthood he served as assistant parish priest in the parishes of Virapandianpattanam and Uvari, where he contributed a lot to improve the choir and other liturgical services.
His first assignment as parish priest was in Nanguneri mission, where he spent five years strengthening the mission spiritually and earned the appreciation of many people. Then he voluntarily opted the difficult parochial mission of Kavalkinaru, where nobody was prepared to go then, owing to various disturbances. Putting up with lots of disturbances, he never lacked his pastoral zeal for the flock entrusted to his care and concern. At the completion of his term in Kavalkinaru, he wanted to have a change in the apostolate. On his own initiative, he went to United States, where he served a parish namely St. Jon of Arc in the diocese of Trendon. During his tenure he not only obtained the appreciation of the local Bishop, but also earned the support of the local pastor and faithful. On his return back to the diocese, he was appointed as the parish priest of Anaikkarai, where he did yeoman service for the flock entrusted to his care. At the completion of his term he was transferred to Thoppuvilai parish, where he came to know of his sickness and even after medication he continued to serve the parish until physically he was unable to cater to the spiritual needs of the parish.
His Temporal Activities:
As parish priest of Nanguneri, he constructed the new building for the physically challenged girls of ‘Anbu Illam’ of Conzaga convent. Collaborating with the diocese, he engineered himself for the purchase of land for the Little Flower I.T.I. and built the first floor of I.T.I. To enhance Christian education in the Hindu dominated section of Nanguneri, he started ‘Jeevan Jyothi English Medium Primary School’ which was later handed over to Franciscan Sisters of Gouhati.
In Kavalkinaru, he constructed the structure of higher secondary school, in addition to the renovation of Fatima, St. Antony’s and Vaillankanni grottos.
During his tenure in Jon of Arc parish in the diocese of Trendon, USA, he supported extensively for the growth of the charitable institute of Adaikalapuram in renovating Home for the Aged and also constructing buildings for the orphans, tailoring centre and also the entire structure of higher secondary school.
On his return from USA, in Lucia shrine, Anaikarai he had done commendable work by means of the construction of Middle school with sanitation facilities both for the students and pilgrims, renovated the Church and established permanent the Stations of the Cross in front of the Church with the compound wall and erected the flag mast in the church campus. As a tangible sign of his love for the poor, he had motivated his friends in abroad to donate generously and constructed a splendid home for the physically and mentally challenged sections of Mercy Home, Anaikarai. He was also instrumental for the construction of the Convent in Mittatharkulam and also for the completion of the Church in Perunkulam of Anaikkarai parish.
During his brief tenure in Thoppuvilai parish, he completed the parish church and also the church of Naduvur, a substation of Thoppuvilai parish.
His last Days:
It was on 7 March 2011, he was diagnosed with Lung cancer in Chennai Apollo Hospital. On 7 April 2011 he was operated upon in Apollo hospital and was asked to follow chemotherapy. In November 2012 as further cancerous cells developed in his Liver, his doctor-friend from Jon of Arc parish, took him back to US for further treatment. He had completed three cycles of Chemotherapy and also oral chemotherapy during the span of two and a half years after the diagnose of the disease. Having tried all possible medical means with Pet Scan and other medical facilities, he returned back to India to spend his final days at the Joan of Arc Institution, Mannarpuram, where he breathed in the Lord after enduring unbearable pain on 13.10.2013 at 6.30 p.m. He was buried on the following day in the presence of hundreds of faithful, well-wishers, priests and sisters within the premise of Joan of Arc institution.
Fr. Wingling Ravi graciously accepted the will of God at the age of 50. Even during his final conscious days, he remained satisfied with the task undertaken for the love of the needy and poor. He was fully in line with the words of St. Paul, “I have finished the race, I have kept up the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just Judge, will award to me on that day...” (2 Tim. 4, 7-8). May his Soul Rest in Peace.
Fr. Norbert Thomas
St. Paul ’s Seminary, Trichy
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