Adios To Rev. Fr. Balaiah P
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,
Adios to Rev. Fr. P. Balaiah
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth (Eccl. 7:1)
OBITUARY
Rev. Fr. P. Balaiah
Born : 24.11.1933
Ordained : 21.11.1964
Expired : 08.04.2017
With profound grief, I condole the death of our beloved Rev. Fr. Puthota Balaiah, a Senior Priest of our Archdiocese who died on Saturday, 8th April at 10.55 a.m. at Clergy Home, Bengaluru.
Fr. P. Balaiah was born on 24th November 1933 at Kilacherry, Madras. His parents were the late Mr. Anthya and the late Bagiamma who had two children, and they joyfully offered them to the service of God. His Religious sister, Sr. Emilda (A Charles Borromeo Sister) passed away last year. Fr. Balaiah did his initial studies in Loyola College, Madras. And after his studies, he opted to become a priest for the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Since he was a studious and dynamic student, he was sent to the Papal Seminary, Poona, for his philosophy and theology courses. After completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained a priest on 21.11.1964 at Kilacherry, Madras, by the Most Rev. Dr. Carvallo, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Madras – Mylapore.
He served the Archdiocese for 53 years at the following places:
| 19.04.1965 | Asst. Parish Priest
Also to be in charge |
St. Mary’s Church Shivajinagar |
| 18.05.1970
01.06.1979 |
Parish Priest
Principal |
St. Mary’s Church Champion Reefs &
St. Mary’s High School |
| 24.05.1975 | Manager | St. Mary’s Orphanage – Press & School |
| 22.07.1979 | Parish Priest | Infant Jesus Shrine Church |
| 16.07.1987 | Parish Priest | St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral |
| 01.06.1994 | Parish Priest | St. Joseph’s Church, Briand Square |
| 01.10.1997 | Manager | St. Joseph’s School, Briand Square |
| 15.06.1998 | Parish Priest | St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar |
| 15.06.2001 | Parish Priest & Manager | St. Theresa’s Church & School Robertsonpet |
| 04.06.2007 | Parish Priest & Manager | St. Michael’s Church, Shanthinagar |
| 18.06.2009 | Retired – Resided at | Little Flower Convent, Ranipet |
| 11.06.2015
08.04.2017 |
Resided at
R.I.P. |
Clergy Home, Bangalore
Clergy Home, Bangalore |
Fr. Balaiah had a special gift to develop the Shrines, which he did at Our Lady of Good Health Basilica, Shivajinagar; Mother of Mines Shrine, K.G. F.; and, very specially, the Infant Jesus Shrine, Vivikenagar. Due to his meticulous planning and hard work, the Infant Jesus Shrine at Viveknagar became a world famous Shrine that draws thousands of devotees every day.
Although he was confronted with many problems, he was courageous and determined with perseverance to solve those problems with courage and equanimity. By nature, he was a very quiet and reserved person. But he was known for his strictness, and innovative and practical ideas. He produced the movie: Kuzhandai Yesu to spread the message of Jesus Christ to all, especially to non-Christians, through Mass Media.
Fr. Balaiah also worked in Schools. When he was at Viveknagar, he had started the Bala Yesu Vidyalaya. He served the Archdiocese under various other capacities such as: a Member of the Priests’ Senate, College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Board of Education, Wherever he was posted, he willingly accepted his appointment and took initiative in developing the Parishes / Institutions by putting up buildings and upgrading the infra-structure.
Although he had some health problems, he was calm and serene, and never ever complained about it. This morning he also participated in the Eucharistic Celebration. And, within a few hours after the Eucharistic Celebration, he suddenly experienced a serious chest pain and breathed his last at 10.55 a.m. at the Clergy Home where he resided.
I never expected his end would come so soon. He died as he lived. He was a lover of the poor and the down-trodden. Whoever approached him in their needs and difficulties, he never sent them back with empty hands. Because of his dedicated and selfless service, he had won the hearts of the faithful and received their appreciation and gratitude. He was a gentle and simple priest, and also a man of prayer. It is a well-known fact that he had a great devotion to Mother Mary and Infant Jesus, and put forth his best efforts to spread these devotions in his parishes and in the Archdiocese.
In the death of Fr. Balaiah, we have lost a very senior priest of our Archdiocese. We shall continue to gratefully remember his valuable services to the Archdiocese and also pray for the repose of his soul.
On behalf of all of you, I express my heartfelt sympathies to his relatives and friends. May the Lord grant them the strength to bear this irreparable loss.
His Funeral Service will take place on Monday, 10th April, 2017 at 10.30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road. The mortal remains of Rev. Fr. Balaiah will be kept for public homage at Sacred Heart Church on 10th April 2017 from 09.30 a.m. onwards.
All the Priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer 3 Masses for the repose of his soul.
Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord; and let the perpetual
Light shine upon him. And may his soul rest in peace.
+ Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore