Bangalore Archdiocese

Report by : Sr. Tara Serrao
Photos by : Mr. Lancy D'Souza 

Chikkamagaluru, Aug 2, 2024 : The Third Death Anniversary of Vandya Joe Mary Lobo Swamiji (Rev. Fr Joe Mary Lobo) was celebrated at the Chapel of Sri Christa Sharan Ashram, Birur, Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka. The Thanksgiving Eucharist was offered by Rev. Fr Franklin D'Souza, Diocese of Shimoga.

Vandya Joe Marie Lobo was the Founder of ; a) Christa Sharan Social Development Society. b) Sri Guru Sharan Charitable Trust. c) Sri Guru Christa Sharan Vidyalay and d) Sri Guru Christa Sharan International School.

The Holy Eucharist began with an introduction by Sr.Tara Serrao, the Administrator. She welcomed Fr Franklin and around sixty people. She briefed about the Life, Mission and Ministry of Vandya Lobo Swamiji. Most of the participants in the Holy Mass were Non Christians and she briefed them about Holy Mass too. Sr. Flavia Lobo read the first reading about resurrection.

An outstanding and heart touching, infact memorable homily was preached by Fr. Franklin DSouza based on Matthew:25:31-40. "I was hungry..thirsty..naked...
in prison". Fr Franklin shared his personal experiences during his prison ministry and while working with the slum children in Bangalore. He was instrumental in sharing God's love, life and light to hundreds of prisoners and slum children.

Further he narrated how a Little girl in the slum asked him, "Why are you so fair? and What is the colour of God? After a serious thought Fr.Franklin said, "THE COLOUR OF GOD IS LOVE" and this thought was the turning point in the life of that little girl.
He asked all the participants to do good and be good. That we must smile/laugh when we walk a mile and Love ever but hate never. Therefore, it is in giving we receive.

In the second part of his homily Fr Franklin said that there are three types of people.
1.Passing People.
2.Want of doing something positive.
3.Why not I do it?
Sharing the life of Swamiji Lobo, Fr Franklin said that Vandya Guru Lobo embraced, "Why not I do it?" He, through the educational and social empowerment ministry in 72 villages brought A BROAD SMILE on the faces of thousands of people in Kadur & Birur. May your soul dear Swamiji rest in peace with the Risen Lord and Long live your sweet memories in our hearts, concluded Fr Franklin.

S. Bharati read the intercessory prayers. When the Catholics were given Holy Communion people of other faith were given flowers with lit Diya. All the people joined in singing and thus making the Holy Mass very meaningful. At the end the participants received graceful blessings from Fr Franklin. It was truly a Holy Mass which proclaimed that we are called to Love Jesus, Live Jesus and Give Jesus.

Vandya Joe Mary Lobo Swamiji was born on 07th September 1933, Ordained as Priest of Diocese of Chikmagalur on 15th April 1959 and went to God on 30th July 2021.