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In this interview with Janina Gomes, we meet Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, a compassionate nurturer of young minds and hearts throughout his extensive tenure as an educator. His devotion to the Jesuit brotherhood serves as the cornerstone of his achievements.

1. Tell us something about your early life and formative years:

My family lived close to St. Xavier’s High School and so my early religious participation was at the School Chapel where I served as a regular altar-boy. My parents were devout Catholics and their faith was evident in the choices they made, especially that of my Dad seeking employment in England and later in Calcutta, in order to give me and my 4 brothers, a good standard of living and a good education, making the sacrifice of living alone away from us for some years. The 5 of us learnt good Catholic practices which laid a foundation for our adult faith.

2. As an alumnus of St. Xavier’s High School and St. Xavier’s College, the first seeds of your vocation must have been sown and nurtured in these institutions.

My vocation to be a priest and a Jesuit, took root in School and this got confirmed in College – the Jesuits we were dealing with provided the inspiration, because of the creative ways in which they helped us students to discover ourselves and grow.

3. What made you opt for a Ph.D. in Sociology and specialize in Development Studies?

The Jesuits asked me to consider teaching at St. Xavier’s as my mission and so I was keen on reaching a level of excellence in academics which the Doctorate symbolized. I worked at the Ph.D. while teaching at St. Xavier’s and my specialization in Development Studies was due my interest in the most vulnerable section of India’s population – the Adivasis, with whom the Jesuits work extensively.

4. Aside from teaching in St. Xavier’s College, you also were Principal for 12 years. What do you feel were your major contributions to the College?

In my student days, I had felt called, as a member of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal, to pray for the gift of discernment and I feel this gift served me in good stead when I was chosen to head the College in 2003. It was a time of transition, as the State Government had just framed the statutes of Autonomy for Colleges in 2001 and St. Xavier’s was experiencing stagnation due to the curriculum of the University of Mumbai. After a process of discernment with faculty and alumni, St. Xavier’s became the first Autonomous College under the University of Mumbai in 2010 and implemented its own syllabi and assessment system to make sure our students reached the higher order academic skills of critical thinking and creativity. This set the College apart and only after 3 years of watching St. Xavier’s thrive under Autonomy, did other colleges follow suit. I also tried to introduce the College to social responsibility and involvement in the critical debates of the time, which, of course, is always a risk.

5. In 2006, you served in the Working Group for Undergraduate Education of the National Knowledge Commission and in 2011, on the Steering Committee of the Planning Commission for Higher and Technical Education in the 12^th Tell us something about your experiences working in these bodies.

St. Xavier’s College had such a high reputation in India, that the Government felt the need to involve the Principal of St. Xavier’s in deliberations about the future of Higher Education. My experience with the National Knowledge Commission was extremely satisfying, as the Working Group held many in-depth discussions in Delhi and the recommendations that were made were quite revolutionary. Unfortunately, not much of that was actually implemented due to political changes. The Steering Committee for Higher Education in the 12^th Plan was not as stimulating, though some suggestions we made were accepted in the Report. Both these groups gave me the privilege of participating in directing higher education in India at the highest level.

6. Under your leadership, St. Xavier’s became the first Autonomous College of the University of Mumbai in 2010 and was declared by the UGC as a College of Excellence in 2015. How did you achieve these?

Autonomy was achieved with the participation of all stakeholders: Jesuit management, Faculty, Alumni and Government officials – it was recognized that the affiliation system could not continue if quality education had to be achieved. Our Faculty worked hard at constructing a good academic system for St. Xavier’s – through visits to Autonomous Colleges in Chennai and Bangalore, and to Universities abroad sponsored by the College and through hours of discussion and deliberation. The amount of creative effort that went into the making of our Autonomous systems was acknowledged by the UGC and St. Xavier’s was in the first batch of colleges to be given this award of Excellence.

7. For the last seven years you were the Manager of St. Stanislaus High School and St. Stanislaus International School. How do these schools compare with the many private schools mushrooming? You were also Parish priest of St. Peter’s Church. In what way did you make it a thriving, relevant and leading parish in Mumbai?

After my retirement from St. Xavier’s, I was given a promotion – to be the Manager of the Kindergarten, the Primary and Secondary School! With the then Principal, Ms. Anna Correa and her faculty, I worked to establish the St. Stanislaus Certificate Program – SSCP, which combines the activity-based critical-thinking pedagogy for academics, with the other aspects of Jesuit education: social consciousness, personal development and spiritual growth. We were assisted by Prof. Ms. Vivien Amonkar, who had led the development of our academic systems at St. Xavier’s College under Autonomy. Last year we were even able to add a component of Coding (through Python) for all our 7^thand 8^thstandard students.

We also began, in 2016, an International section at St. Stanislaus, with the Cambridge curriculum. Mr. Montwyn D’Costa, who started as Dean of Academics and has just taken over as Principal, brought experience in the radically different methodology of teaching-learning that the IGCSE needs and this has given St. Stanislaus International a head-start in quality. The Jesuit ethos continues to form our students for all-round human development with a value-based foundation.

As Parish Priest of St. Peter’s, I led the team of Jesuits and Lay People of the Parish Pastoral Council in strengthening the characteristics of a Jesuit Parish which include: Ignatian Spirituality, Solidarity with the Poor, Partnership with people of other faiths and building bridges with Young People. This took much effort, it sometimes brewed controversy but led to many good initiatives. The Free Dinner Programme for the last 6 years for about 80 people in the Bandra area, the inter-religious celebration of festivals including the Dandiya and the Eid Milan, the Ignatian discourses and guided Retreats in daily life and the enlivening of the Youth group in the Parish – all led to much activity. An addition was the Care for Creation group which has been in the forefront of building awareness about what parishioners can do for the ecology.

8. You were also part of a committee to prepare a Handbook for Minority Education in Maharashtra, which was released in August 2023. Was this a church initiative?

In order to solve a serious issue facing our School, through the initiative of a Parishioner, I was granted a meeting with the then Minister for School Education, who not only solved our problem with a mere phone call but also told me she would make me a part of the next education committee she formed (I had complained that no Catholic educationist was a part of any committee formed by her Government!)  I spent many hours on this Committee, travelling to Pune and working at a Handbook. This is a compilation of the rights of the Minorities and the Government Rules and Regulations that ensure them, keeping in mind the Constitutional guarantees and the rulings of the Judiciary. Having such a handbook is an advantage, as our Schools can quote from a Government issued Handbook itself, to claim their rights.

9. You did a lot for Stan Swamy in his last days. How did this accompaniment of Stan Swamy impact you?

I was privileged to accompany Fr. Stan for the month he was in Holy Family Hospital and beside the help I could afford him, the conversations we had and his peaceful demeanor impacted me deeply. Here was a man of commitment and courage and his words, “I am not a silent spectator,” have resounded throughout the world. Many others have also broken their silence!

10. You now do administrative work as the Province Development Director of the Jesuits. Tell us something about this.

I am now entrusted with Fund Raising for the Jesuits in the Bombay Province (across Maharashtra) – which means helping to develop good projects and applying for the Corporate Social Responsibility Funds of Companies. You, dear readers, can put me in contact with such CSR funding through companies you are associated with. The Jesuits do good human development among Dalits and Adivasis and other poor and the money will be put to good use! Contact me at pdobomsj@gmail.com

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Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas SJ speaks

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Education remains one of the most important ministries of the Church in India.  However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the line of authority and role and responsibilities of the different officials responsible for the running of the institution, be it school or college. Here I attempt to clarify these. However, I attempt to present a role clarity from a Jesuit point-of-view. Readers may adapt it according to their specific situation and practices.

The Governing Body of the registered society, under whose authority the school functions, is the top-most legal body responsible for the policies, decision-making and running of the institution. Thus, as the ex-officio President of the Governing Body, the Provincial/Bishop remains the head. The President exercises his/her authority in line with the Memorandum and Bye-laws of the registered society. However, he/she exercises this authority through the local Superior, who in some cases, may be the ex-officio Vice-President of the registered society, where that’s the only institution run by the society.

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Fr Alex G SJ

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As an educator, I always knew that my role extends far beyond the academic realm. I found myself woven into the lives of my students, sharing in their joys, triumphs, and, at times, their deepest sorrows. One such poignant tale etched in my memory comes from Ruchika, a former student who reached out to me in a moment of profound despair.

I had known Ruchika’s husband even as a young boy for he too had been my student. The connection they shared was palpable, evident in the simple gestures that unfolded during their school days. Fast forward to the present, and Ruchika found herself grappling with an unexpected and heart-wrenching loss.

All of a sudden, I received an email from Ruchika. As I looked at her facebook photo, I realized she was looking miserable. Immediately I sorted out the phone number and called her up, only to hear her sobbing endlessly.

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Sr Mariella CTC

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The Tamil Nadu Conference of Religious in India (TNCRI) is an association of 75 congregations, encompassing 9 brothers’ congregations, 19 fathers’ congregations, and 47 sisters’ congregations, with a current count of 119 major superiors. Dedicated to fostering collaboration among religious orders in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, especially during challenging times, TNCRI prioritizes the pastoral vision and specific needs of the Church in the region. Acting as a crucial link between local units and the National Conference of Religious in India (CRI), TNCRI implements regional-level decisions and provides essential services to local units. This report outlines the main activities and accomplishments of TNCRI during the past two years.

Constitutional Rights Education:

• Constitutional Rights Education (CRE) is a crucial initiative undertaken by the TNCRI. Rev. Bro. M. Velankanni SHJ, the former President, emphasized the enduring relevance of the Constitution, drawing on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s insights into values such as equality, fraternity, and democracy. He stressed that safeguarding these principles is a collective responsibility that requires constant vigilance.

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SR SHEEBA THOMAS MSI

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We need more feet washing Jesus’ (Jn:13.5) than hand washing Pontius Pilates (Mt:27.24).

It was in the year 2013 that we received the first Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium by Pope Francis. Through this exhortation the Holy Father encouraged us to embark upon a new way of life marked by the joy that is born out of an encounter with the Jesus of the Gospel. And he assures us that with Christ, joy is constantly born anew and affirms that a joy which is shared is a joy ever new. 

Since then for the last ten years all the Apostolic Exhortations and Encyclicals of Pope Francis have been focusing on the joys, values and virtues of a Gospel way of life centered on Jesus the merciful Saviour, inviting us all to thank and praise God, and to learn from Jesus, to cultivate a loving and faithful, compassionate and caring heart that respects nature and all its creatures in our common home. The pope encourages us to be alive and active, giving thanks and praise to God and praying and forgiving like Jesus, so that we may know how to suffer with those who suffer, to rejoice with those who rejoice and be humble and Joyful like Jesus. Just a perusal glance at these documents makes it obvious that, all that is enshrined in them are the mind of Christ and the mind of the Church and are helpful in knowing God’s Will and doing it well.

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Fr. Babu Jose Pamplany OFM

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Religious life grapples with an array of challenges in the contemporary world, which reflect the seismic shifts in social, cultural, and technological landscapes that have up-heaved the established global order. The intricate and multifaceted context, characterized by secularization, pluralism, diversity, social media, evolving moral values, scandals, credibility issues, youth disengagement, political entanglement, economic pressures, and environmental concerns, intensifies the complexities faced by religious communities. This dynamic reality underscores the interplay between tradition and transformation, as age-old structures, values, and institutions adapt to the forces progressively secularizing religious life.

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Fr Jayaseelan Savariarpitchai SDB

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While studying Theology, I took the initiative to experience the pain that a beggar undergoes. For this purpose, I dressed myself as a beggar and sat on one of the busy footpaths of Pondicherry. It took nearly fifteen minutes to gather the courage to raise my hands and seek money from passersby, as I grappled with emotional pain and shame. Even though I spent an hour in that situation, unfortunately, no one offered me a coin. Seated on that footpath, I could sense the frustration, pain, hunger, and neglect that a beggar often endures. It is a reality that every encounter with the poor deepens our love and compassion for their struggles. In this context, the term ‘encounter’ is used to denote a casual or unexpected meeting with a person, thing or event that leads to a trans-formative experience for both parties involved.

Refrigerator Syndrome

What do we mean by the Refrigerator Syndrome in a religious community? It means that the atmosphere of the life in a community of a religious institute may create a ‘fake-spiritual ambience’ that seems very cool and comfortable like the ambience of a closed refrigerator. This is an ‘artificial coolness of religious life’ and those who live in this ‘comfort cool zone’ feel that they would be affected if they encounter the challenging realities of the poor and needy outside. Unfortunately, at times consecrated life misses or deliberately avoids opportunities to encounter the poor.

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Fr Binny Mary Das

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A Civilization of Love: What Every Catholic Can Do to Transform the World

Carl Anderson

In this book, Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus, emphasizes the need for Catholics to counter destructive secular ideologies with a vision rooted in love and goodness. Anderson challenges the modern misunderstanding of love as mere romance, advocating for a Christian love that emphasizes self-responsibility, self-denial, hard work, unconditional generosity, and devotion to others. He argues that this love, grounded in the Gospel, can build a civilization rooted in the love of God. Anderson highlights the misconception of identity with Descartes’ “I think therefore I am” and proposes a deeper insight: “I love therefore I am,” emphasizing that human identity is rooted in being loved by God. He stresses the importance of the ‘other’ in divine love and the necessity of freedom, values, equality, and human dignity for its existence. Drawing inspiration from Mother Teresa’s acts of charity, Anderson emphasizes the perseverance and selflessness required in building a civilization of love.

Making a reference of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum, Anderson underscores the idea that obedience to natural law renders complex laws and governments irrelevant. He criticizes the limitations of state welfare in caring for the poor, noting the effectiveness of private charities and voluntary organizations. Echoing Pope Benedict XVI, Anderson warns against complete dependence on state provisions, as it may degrade human dignity and society. He cites Vaclav Havel’s insights on the demoralization of Czech society during the communist era, attributing it to the loss of love, compassion, humility, and forgiveness when humans were reduced to mere forces of production.

La Salle, Patron of All Teachers

Edward Fitzpatrick

This book is a study of the life and contributions of St Jean Baptiste de La Salle, an 18th-century French educational reformer and founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools. Celebrated as the patron saint of youth educators, La Salle’s pioneering work in modern education for the poor had been overlooked for centuries. Fitzpatrick aims to rectify historical inaccuracies and conflicting interpretations surrounding La Salle’s legacy. The book begins by highlighting La Salle’s life and his role as an educator, shedding light on the vision behind his educational contributions. Living in a time when formal education was not prioritized by society, La Salle envisioned reaching the common people, especially the downtrodden. Despite facing numerous challenges, he championed the idea that even children of the common people deserve quality education. La Salle’s educational services expanded across many French cities, establishing the first training colleges for secular teachers, reformatory schools, and schools for various subjects. Pioneering modern educational methods, La Salle advocated for teaching in the mother tongue, promoted the presence of good libraries, and organized classrooms efficiently. Guided by the image of Christ as a teacher, he emphasized that teachers should be models and “ambassadors of Christ in the profession of teacher.” La Salle’s impact extended through the society of religious teachers he founded, which continues to thrive. Despite stepping down as the head of the Christian Brothers in 1717, he served as a brother until his death at the age of 68. Canonized in 1900, La Salle’s work remains influential in the realm of education.

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Fr Vincent Cimatti SDB led the first Salesian expedition to Japan. He did a fantastic service as pioneer and then as Provincial in that country. Today, he is a Servant of God.

Before going to Japan as a missionary, Fr Cimatti was the rector of a well-known junior college in North Italy. The incident I am going to mention happened in that college.

On what we call “college day” or school day, with a large crowd present, one of the outgoing students had been appointed to give a speech. What he did shocked everyone. He went up, and stood on the stage and criticized the Salesians in public. There was pin-drop silence in the hall and much uneasiness. Everyone’s eyes went to Fr Cimatti, since he was the head of the institution. They wondered what he would do.

This is what Fr Cimatti did.

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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You have certainly heard that human beings are the image of God, right? What does this mean to you?

Let me tell you how one exceptionally brilliant man interpreted this Bible teaching. When I first heard it in a philosophy class in Rome decades ago, I was impressed. And it has remained in my mind.

I am referring to the interpretation given to this doctrine by Thomas Aquinas, an exceptional intellectual and a deep mystic.

We, humans, are the image of God.

You. Me. Everyone around.

What does it mean to be the image of God?

You can click a photo and see what someone looks like. We do not have a photo of God. How do we “picture” God?

This is where Aquinas applied his creative intelligence.

By “God” we mean the creator of all. This whole complex and beautiful universe is all God’s work. Far, far larger and more complex than what our small minds can grasp.

To be God’s image means this: To be like the supremely creative being.

In other words, the more creative you are, the more you are like God!

Just think!

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Fr Joe Mannath SDB

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