Adieu Dear “ABA” : Rev. Fr. Vincent Lobo OFM Cap
(1912 – 2010)
The
Psalmist queries: O Lord who will dwell in your tent and reside on your holy
mountain? And Psalmist himself replies: He who walks blameless and does what is
right; who speaks truth from his heart and controls his words (Ps.15: 1-3).
Rev. Fr. Vincent Lobo, our holy brother embraced sister death on 26th
December, 2010 at 8.40 a.m. A long grace-filled life here on earth came to an
end as our brother met the LOVE incarnate- the Emmanuel in Holy embrace for whom
he waited faithfully throughout the advent season. Brother Vincent completed 98
years as a devout Christian, 75 years as a faithful Friar Minor Capuchin and 69
years of loyal Priest of the Catholic Church.
Cajetan Ambrose Lobo (Baptismal Name) was born in a pious Catholic Family of
David Lobo and Jackina Lobo at Belthangady Parish on 16th August 1912. He had
six sisters and two brothers. Young Vincent responded wholeheartedly to the
Franciscan Capuchin way of life at the tender age of 20 and He was received to
the Capuchin way of life by the saintly French Capuchin friar Guido the novice
master on 13th July 1934. He made his Temporary Profession on 27th July 1935 and
Solemn Profession on 27th July, 1938. From 1935 to 1941 he did his Priestly
studies of Philosophy and Theology at St. Anthony’s Friary, Quilon and was
ordained Priest on 20th April 1941 by their Novice Master Rev. Fr. Guido who had
become then the Bishop of Ajmer. After his ordination, from 1942 to 1948, Fr.
Vincent was appointed as the lector and the Vicar and later as the Guardian at
St. Anthony’s Friary, Quilon.
From 1948 to 1973 marks the creative and the dynamic apostolic ministry of
Father Vincent in the Diocese of Mangalore. He was for three years from 1951 to
1954 was the Guardian and Director of Franciscan Third Order(now Secular
Franciscan Order) for the laity at Monte Mariano Friary, otherwise he was
stationed at the St. Anne’s Friary, Mangalore in different capacities, as the
Director of the Franciscan Third Order, Vicar and the Guardian of the Friary, as
the Director of Assisi House, as the founder-editor of family Magazine ‘Sevak’
in Konkani Language; for this he founded a printing press under the title
‘Assisi Press’. As the Vocation promoter he guided the lives of hundreds of
young men to dedicate their lives in the vineyard of the Lord. Among his
recruits we have today Church prelates, Papal delegates, Provincials to cite a
few.
As the Apostolic preacher he travelled from North to South of the Coastal Konkan
regions to preach the Word of God to the faithful. He was a powerful preacher of
the Word of God in both English and Konkani. As a creative writer he edited the
periodical Sevak for nearly two decades and was instrumental to translate much
of the Franciscan literature, the lives of the Saints and the Post-Concilliar
Teachings of the Vatican ll in the vernacular language. As the Director of the
Franciscan Third Order, he established Fraternities of Secular Franciscan in
many parishes in and around the Mangalore Diocese.
Call of Duty beckoned him to North India as the Provincial Delegate to prepare
the ground to establish a Vice Province in North-India. He toiled from 1973 to
1974 as the Provincial delegate remaining in St. Fidelis Ashram, Lucknow. With
the Division of the Indian Capuchin Province into Four independent jurisdictions
Fr. Vincent served as the fourth definitor of the new KGM Province from 1972 to
1975. He was stationed at St. Anne’s Friary and Deena Seva Ashram as the
Provincial Economus during this period. He was elected as the Vicar Provincial
of the Province during the provincial triennium from 1975 to 1978. He was
elected as the Provincial Minister of the Holy Trinity Province – KGM
(Karnataka-Goa-Maharashtra) for two successive terms from 1978 – 1984. It is
during his term a major decision was taken to start the new Theologate at Mysore
Diocese. And the Kripalaya is the brain Child of Fr. Vincent. From 1984 till
this year end, he was here at Kripalaya in various capacities as the formator,
Spiritual Director, Treasurer of the community. He was the senior-most member of
the Kripalaya community till the end of this year. As a spiritual animator he
has served many religious congregations in the Diocese of Mysore. For the first
time, he implanted the S.F.O. in the diocese of Mysore, by forming a fraternity
at Kripalaya.
Fr. Vincent was our elder brother in the true sense of the word. As a man of
prayer he was present with the praying community all the days of his life at
Kripalaya. He was the faithful disciple of St. Francis leading the young friars
by his very life-example. Truly he was the living example of Franciscan
simplicity, Joy and Serenity. He was punctual to the horarium of the community.
Anybody would miss sometimes but never he. Fidelity to the Holy Constitutions of
the Friars Minors Capuchin was his forte. As a man of wisdom he was up-to-date
to the aggiornomento of the Vatican times, renewal and adaptations in the Order.
He was up-to-date what happens in the World of Today in the World of Politics
and Commerce. He never left the school of learning. Learning was his passion.
Right information was the key to his on-going learning and on-formation in the
School of Christian and Capuchin way of life.
Dearest Fr. Vincent, we will miss your presence in the Chapel, in the refectory,
in the reading room in your cell. But what really comforts us now to note you
are in a better place where there are no tears, sufferings, no climate change.
You were a blessing to the Capuchin Order in general and to our Province in
particular, and now you enjoy the greatest blessings of your pilgrimage: the
Beatific Vision of the Triune God Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Intercede for
all of us the grace of perseverance in our holy vocation and the grace of
meeting you one day face to face in the heavenly abode.
We the inmates of Kripalaya Fraternity, along with Fr. Provincial, the
Definitory and all the Friars of Karnataka Province bid you adieu.
27th December, 2010
Friars of Holy Trinity Province
Karnataka
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