A couple of days ago this lovely gentleman who happens to be the Uncle of my wife (from her father’s side) passed away. It is now an accepted fact that when people pass on we go on a tirade of celebrating a person’s life.  Probably this is how it should be. Nevertheless, I choose to share with you the story of Fr Ninu not only out of this (good) habit but because he is indeed a man for all seasons, a good soul, a dad to none but a Father to many – and there is so much to learn about this man’s life.  He is a man who choose to do it the hard way.

Fr Ninu, as he was affectionately called, was a Jesuit by devotion, passion and out of choice, who lived in India for decades on end.  He had chosen to go there and spend his priesthood running schools, farming, gardening and raising animals and unceasingly connected with the community.  This simple, fragile looking man of small stature but decisive and resolute hailed from Haz-Zebbug. 

This is Fr Ninu:

First, he never complained:

Even when his cancer was affecting him so badly, he was poorly and sick but he would never go in ‘the pity-me mode’ come what may, even if he had a right to. The reverse actually happened.  As we Skped or spoke on Messenger he would be more interested about our lives, our jobs and how our children were doing than talking about his predicament.  He had this deep-seated altruism which is difficult to describe. 

To illustrate his generosity, I will share with you just one example. 

Only a couple of months ago, even though knowing in his heart of hearts that there wasn’t much to do about his cancer he still made the ardours trip to Malta from India, his final one at that.  He must have travelled for three or four days, with endless train, plane and car trips, just to bid farewell.  He knew well enough that this was the last time he would step on his country of origin.  Whilst he was here he acted normally, spoke frankly, was humble and gentle as always.  Not only that, even though he was very sick he still engaged in pastoral work, visited family, friends and his Society companions.

 

Secondly, he was a man of community:

Fr Ninu loved being with people. 

He had this ability to recall what he knew about someone and throw it back into the conversation, connect the dots, ask inquisitively but always and exclusively out of genuine interest.  He wanted to know and share the pains and tribulations, the passions and elations.  What a lovely man he was.  He had this sense of community.  He wanted to be with people all the time.  His prayer was the people he engaged with.  He knew that he could only find the Jesus he was so ardently in love with amongst the people.  He was not a bigot and even if the age gap would be significant he would laugh his heart out when his nephews and nieces and their children when they would share a mischievous adventure - because he knew well-enough that life is not about the ‘do not’s’ but about living it.  He strongly believed that what is right and good for self and others is of God. 

Thirdly, he was a man that stood up to what he believed in.

Fr Ninu had a passion for his work. 

He loved India like his own. He enjoyed teaching, farming, administering sacraments – he had this great zeal to work because he knew that sharing suffering is what brings you close to people.  All he knew he put into action.  Whether its planting trees or teaching, administering sacraments or giving advice, Fr Ninu did it with happiness, contentment and cheerfulness.  He spoke a myriad of languages but always respected the culture (except for that one time when he had a close shave with the police because he was about to slaughter a cow!)    

Fourthly, Fr Ninu was a Jesuit:

Now those who have crossed paths with the Jesuits know that this Order is extremely grounded in the community and guided by the principle of social justice.  Jesuits would never go half-way and Fr Ninu was no exception.  They believe that change comes from the ‘base communities’ and what is important is not fitting people into moulds but by sharing lives.  Fr Ninu knew that being Jesuit is being human, nothing more nothing less.  He loved his Order like his own family and went out of his way several times to serve obediently. 

In not so many words, Fr Ninu had this thing about him that felt like Jesus. 

 

Fr Anthony Gatt sj

20.01.1939 – 21.03.2017