Page 44 - Bishop-Roch-Jubli-Malar

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cherished rule of conduct, he bowed to the Joseph and St. Therese of Lisieu were his faithful

inevitable and girded himself to shoulder the heavy purveyors. Nor did he lack generous benefactors.
Cross. During his periodical travels in Europe and in the
States of America he made many friends.. His
The next days were given to fervent prayer
simplicity and affability acted as a magic charm. In
and mature consideration of what was demanded of
the Curia of Rev. Fr. General, Rome, he was known
him and of how he was to go about it. The "what" of
by the endearing name of "il bambino Bishop
it presented itself as a pastoral office of which he
Roche" (the baby Bishop Roche).
had some experience, but one of a vaster and more
taxing dimension; the "how" of it took the form or Always intent on furthering the good of his

manner set down in St. Paul's words, "Caritas people, he carried them in his heart and prayers
Christi urget nos". ("For us the love of Christ is a when visiting the renowned shrines in Italy, France
compelling motive"). Crystallized into a motto, it and the States, leaving Mass intentions to be offered
became "Stella mea caritas", (My lodestar, or for the missions. Nor did he miss any opportunity to

guiding principle is charity") the love of God for preach and lecture on the missions, sometimes
His own sake, the love of men for God's sake. That titillating his audience with amusing remarks as
was the high ideal which he set for himself and to when addressing a French gathering he said: "My
which he strove to live up during the next thirty skin may be dark, but my soul is white as snow." In

years of a strenuous and fruitful apostolate. his home country, of course, he was a much
admired speaker at various functions and feasts.
No sooner was he ordained to the
The present writer keeps a grateful remembrance of
episcopate on 23 September 1923 by Mgr. A.
Bishop Roche as one of the co- consecrators at his
Faisandier, Bishop of Trichinopoly, than he started
episcopal ordinations at which he delivered an
out on a pastoral tour to get acquainted with the
inspiring homily on the priesthood.
needs of each locality. His people had to know their
shepherd even as he wished to know his sheep. He No wonder that on the occasion of his
showed a particular interest in the little ones of his double jubilee of his episcopal ordination he was
flock seeing to it that they were properly cared for, deluged with message of congratulations and good

providing especially for the education of the girls wishes; the one that touched him most feelingly
even up to the University grades. Wherever he being the letter of commendation of Pope Pius XII,
went, he was tireless in instructing, confirming, praising and thanking him for his long and fruitful

galvanising his priests by the fervour of his zeal. years of pastoral ministry. It may well be said that
he was a good shepherd, working himself to the
His charity to the poor was inexhaustible.
very bone for the temporal and spiritual wel- fare of
Asked where his funds came from he said that St.
his flock.

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