Adios to Rev. Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar
To All the Priests, Religious & Lay Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bangalore
Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and Lay Faithful,
Adios to Rev. Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar
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. Alphonse Rajkumar
Born : 26.06.1950
Ordained : 12.06.1977
Expired : 13.03.2018
It is with great sadness that I write to inform you of the demise of our beloved Archdiocesan Priest, Rev. Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar, on Tuesday, 13th March 2018 at 7.00 p.m. at Clergy Home, Bengaluru.
Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar was born on 26th June, 1950 in Bangalore. His Parents were the late Mr. S.M. Moses and the late Mary Moses.
After completing his school studies at St. Joseph’s Indian High School, Bengaluru, Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar decided to become a priest and joined St. Mary’s Seminary, Bangalore, in 1967 to do his initial formation course. Then, he pursued his Philosophy and Theology studies at St. Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore. He was ordained a Priest on 12.06.1977 at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Bangalore, by His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. P. Arokia Swamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore.
Rev. Fr. Rajakumar served the Archdiocese for 41 years at the following places:
| 1. | 1977 | ASST. PARISH PRIEST | ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, BRIAND SQUARE |
| 2. | 23.05.1978 | ASST. PARISH PRIEST | ST. MARY’S BASILICA, SHIVAJINAGAR |
| 3. | 22.06.1980 | ASST. PARISH PRIEST | INFANT JESUS PARISH, VIVEKNAGAR |
| 4. | 1981 | PARISH PRIEST | SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF HEALTH, HARIHAR |
| 5. | 1987 JULY | DIRECTOR | BMSSS (DURING THIS PERIOD, HE WAS SENT TO COADY, CANADA, TO DO HIS DIPLOMA COURSE IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP). |
| 6. | 1994 JUNE | PARISH PRIEST | OUR LADY OF LOURDES, CHURCH ULSOOR |
| 7. | 15.06.1998 | PARISH PRIEST | ST. ANNE’S CHURCH, MARATHAHALLI |
| 8. | 15.06.1999 | PARISH PRIEST | ST. JOSEPH’S CHURCH, SUSAIPALYAM |
| 9. | 01.06.2004 | 13th March, 2018 | CLERGY HOME |
We all know about Fr. Rajakumar as a simple, holy and humble priest. He was blessed with multifarious gifts. Many of us know that he was a great Musician, melodious Singer, gifted Artist, good Organizer and meticulous Planner. His artistic talent was reflected in his handwriting that used to be so neat and unique which earned accolades from his admirers. He was soft-spoken and cheerful, and had a special charism to move with one and all; and, only after his sickness, he became a bit quiet and recluse. As he was a man of prayer and was known for his great devotion to Mother Mary, and he took a lot interest in promoting the Marian Devotion in all those places where he did his pastoral ministry.
Fr. Rajakumar had the privilege of working in our Archdiocesan Shrines, namely at St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, and the Infant Jesus Shrine, Viveknagar. Since he was a great musician, he used to conduct Choirs for the Annual Feasts at these Shrines. He was also going to many Parishes and Religious Houses to teach liturgical hymns.
Before the bifurcation of the Diocese of Shimoga, Our Lady of Health Shrine at Harihar was under the Archdiocese of Bangalore. While he was the Parish Priest of that Place, he worked very hard to make that Shrine a Pilgrimage Centre and a famous Shrine in Karnataka. If the Shrine at Harihar is famous today, the credit goes to the Late Fr. Rajakumar who toiled for its development at its initial stage.
Fr. Rajakumar was an obedient Priest. Whatever the responsibility that was entrusted to him, he did it with utmost care, interest and dedication. His death is indeed a great loss to the Archdiocese, and we gratefully acknowledge the services rendered by Rev. Fr. Rajkumar to the Archdiocese.
May I, on behalf of all the Priests, Religious and lay Faithful of the Archdiocese, offer my deepest condolences to his brothers, relatives and friends as they bid him their fondest farewell. We pray that the Merciful God grants our dear Brother Fr. Rajakuamr eternal rest, and the spiritual strength to his family members to bear this irreparable loss.
The Funeral Mass and the Burial Service of the late Rev. Fr. Alphonse Rajkumar will take place on Thursday, 15th March, 2018 at 10.30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road. His mortal remains will be kept for public homage at Sacred Heart Church on 15th March from 9.30 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.
With God’s blessings,
Yours sincerely,
+ Bernard Moras
Archbishop of Bangalore