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Bishop Francis Tiburtius Roche
('Stella Mea Caritas' - "¶[¼Ã ¨[ sõ*[')
Sornam Victoria
Early Life Seminary at Shembaganur on 5 February 1898.
Roche and his relative Gabriel Gomez were the
Francis Tiburtius Roche was born on 14
first from the Parava community to join the Society
April 1879. His parents were Geraldine Christian
of Jesus.
Roche Victoria and Maria Susai Paldan. Their
family was blessed with 6 boys and 4 girls. 1 Novitiate
He never missed attending daily mass. He His Novice Master at Shembaganur was
had his schooling up to V Standard in St. Xavier's Fr.Augustine Faisandier, who later became the
Elementary School (Tuticorin), and went to St. Superior of the Madura Mission and thereafter the
Benedict's College (Colombo). Thereafter, his Bishop of the Diocese of Trichinopoly. Finishing
studies continued at St. Joseph's College (Trichy). 2 his novitiate, Roche learnt Latin, French, English
and Tamil. Then followed three years of Theology
Society of Jesus
at Shembaganur, when he wrote a small book on
The deepening influence of Fr. Ferdinand
"Good Conduct' titled '' ""å_ØéV¿ÂïD''.
Herandean S.J., the spiritual director of the
At the seminary at Kurseong, near
boarders at St.Joseph's College (Trichy), was
Roche's mentor in vocation. 3 Darjeeling, he learnt all the nuances of priesthood.
There, he translated a French Catechism book into
But, Roche had already felt the Lord's call,
Tamil titled ""ÄÝ]B ¼k> EÝ]« sáÂïD'' and based
when he was at St.Benedict's College (Colombo).
on Saint Ignatius 'Spiritual Exercises', he wrote
Francis Tiburtius Roche joined the Society ""QVª Î|ÂïD'' 4
of Jesus and began his novitiate at the Jesuit
1. ""¼Ã«òâ ØÃòÍ>çï ¼«Vß gõ¦çï ±uÅVõ| W窡 \éú, 18791979'' 1979, #ÝmÂz½.
2. ibid.
3. ibid.
4. >kÝ]ò ¼Û.éVÄú ¼\VÝ>V, ¼Ä.Ä. ""xÝmÂz¹ÝmçÅ x>_ gBú ØÃòÍ>çï ¼«Vß gõ¦çï'' 1981,
T«\VxMkú ¨¿Ý>Veú ïwïD, ]òßE pages 13-14.
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