The story of a humble watchman who, in the midst of poverty and illness, found peace in praying to Jesus.
Nagaraj, the security guard at a local nursing home, was a weaver at the erstwhile Binny and Co., a company set up in the 19th century by John Binny, which was later amalgamated with the Bangalore Mills and came to be known as the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills. When the company shut shop due to flooding of its premises in 1996 followed by a lock out declared in 1997, Nagaraj found himself without a job. He worked at sundry jobs, including that of a porter and painter. Soon after, he and members of his family were plagued with illness one after another. Their finances plummeted. Starvation looked him in the eye. During these trying times he visited several temples and sought the help of many people, but to no avail.
The Votive Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was on his route to work. One day, Nagaraj hesitantly stepped into the portals of this Church and cried to the Lord, seeking His intervention in solving the desperate situation his family was in. On leaving the Church, he realised that his mind was at peace and his sense of despair had left him. He said: “The Lord Jesus not only took away our troubles and healed us of our ailments. Nothing unfortunate has happened to us since that fateful day when I visited the Church for the first time.”
By religion, Nagaraj is a Hindu, not a Christian. But any of us can learn from his godliness and the very devout way he attends Mass. Rain or sunshine, Nagaraj has been attending the Eucharistic celebration every morning at the Votive Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for the last five years. There are days when the city faces bad weather—including torrential rain and flooding—with the result that very few people turn up for Mass. Even on such days, Nagaraj’s six-foot frame can be seen in one of the pews at the rear of the Church. Hearing of his Church visits, his wife started going to a Church close to their home and more recently has become a member of the Pentecostal Church. I jokingly asked him, “When do you take a day off from Mass?” Pat came the reply, “Only when the church is on leave!”
What amazes me is his attentiveness during Mass, whether standing or kneeling, day after day. He is there before most daily Mass-goers come in and begins his exit as soon as the distribution of Holy Communion starts. He walks up to the Crucifix at the back of the church and reverently prays before it, placing his hands on the Crucifix and then on himself—eyes, ears, and the rest of the body—and finally making a deep bow before leaving the church.
Since he leaves before the Mass is over, he does not interact with anyone in the parish, nor can I remember anyone inquiring about him. I asked him if he knew anyone in the parish. He replied: “Only one or two doctors who practise at the Nursing home where I work and a few other people who come to the nursing home recognise me. I am not in uniform, you see! After Mass I get to the nursing home, change into uniform and am at my post on time. I believe in being punctual. I also try to help everyone who comes to the nursing home, be it getting a parking space or giving a helping hand to an elderly patient.”
Nagaraj has learnt all the prayers and hymns and participates in the Eucharistic celebration like any devout Catholic. Says he: “Today, my life is only around Jesus. I am thinking of receiving Baptism and becoming a Catholic.” He is blessed with two sons, both of whom remain unmarried because of their poverty, but Nagaraj has tremendous faith in the Lord. He says, “Jesus will provide; I am not worried about our situation”.
He also said to me, “I will continue to come to Church, pray and trust in the Lord Jesus as long as I live… No turning back, no turning back!”
Ordetta Mendoza
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