Page 82 - Bishop-Roch-Jubli-Malar

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assembled at the beach to mourn his death, with Society of St. Vincent De Paul became an

Bishop Roche presiding over the meeting and autonomous lay organisation affiliated to the
infusing hope and cheer in the hearts of the people National Council in Bombay and the World
at that hour of deepest gloom. Council in Paris. At the suggestion of Bishop
Roche, the Society began Leprosy survey and relief
Bishop Roche could make good apostles
in the town, running a leprosy clinic in the
out of ordinary laymen engrossed in their worldly
Government Hospital premises with a doctor paid
affairs. He formed two groups or two sections of the
by the Society. After a few years the good Bishop
Sodality, one specialising in evangelisation and the
thought that leprosy work would be more
other directed to works of mercy and compassion.
efficacious if it was institutionalised, and so he
With us the Sodalists he would spend a day every
brought a congregation of sisters here for this
year in a remote corner of the diocese, where some
purpose. The Society gladly transferred this
of us put forth our pioneering efforts as lay
humanitarian project to the Sisters, who are running
missionaries, and the day's programme included
the St. Joseph's Leprosy Home now at
not only Baptism and Mass but also lively
Arogyapuram, Tuticorin. What Bishop Roche has
entertainment improvised by us for the edification
done to relieve human suffering and misery, only
of the rural folk. The presence of the Bishop with
his Master knows.
many leading Catholics of the town in the midst of

the poor and illiterate rural christian community To end this little essay on a personal note, I
was itself a demonstration to all concerned of the had to leave this town in 1951 to better my
wonderful unifying and uplifting influence of the prospects. My sorrow in leaving many good friends
Faith. of this town was felt most acutely by me as it meant
parting from the Roches Bishop Roche and
Bishop Roche's name was synonymous
Mr.J.L.P. Roche, his cousin. At a Catholic public
with charity. It would be no exaggeration to say that
meeting held in the compound of the Church of our
he had dedicated himself entirely to love of God
Lady of Snows, I do not remember for which
and love of man, especially those in distress and
purpose the meeting was held, Bishop Roche
suffering. With characteristic Christian modesty, he
converted it almost into a farewell meeting for me,
would try to conceal his million acts of charity to
on the eve of my departure from the town. He
the poor. But he would forgive me for disclosing the
thanked and blessed me in the name of the Catholic
one mounmental work he has left behind in the
community and hoped that I would soon return like
realm of charity. He encouraged us laymen to start
the Prodigal son to his father's home. It was a
the Society of St. Vincent De Paul in 1933 as a wing
prophecy. I did return after 5 years, in 1956, but to a
of the Sodality and engage ourselves in different
Tuticorin unfortunately minus Bishop Roche.
forms of service to the poor. In a few years the

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