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Fr. Jacob: The Silent Salesian I Remember

By Tony D`Souza sdb

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Mumbai, May. 3. The unexpected news of the quiet demise this morning, of our dear Fr. Jacob Puthenveettil in Nairobi, Kenya recalled to my mind the truth of the saying: We die as we live.

My association with Fr. Jacob goes back to Lonavla, way back in 1968, where he was ''Fr. Prefect'' (Administrator) and was known to all of us, aspirants and Salesians as a very quiet, hardworking, man of few words but very efficient at his job. On my first appointment as Rector at the same place in 1974, I was fortunate to have him posted back as Administrator and found in him not only an experienced confrere but also a very observant religious and reliable confidant.

A couple of years later, as Provincial of Mumbai, I was looking for a generous and capable confrere capable of pioneering our Salesian mission in Gujarat. I must have been inspired to pick on Fr. Jacob who promptly accepted the obedience, though even at that time diabetes was affecting him. The history of the Gujarat Salesian Missions bears testimony to his great success both as a zealous missionary Parish Priest and of course, as builder of our first parish and school in Baroda. The parishioners found in him a patient and supportive pastor. Though not given much to external emotional expressions, he endeared himself to them and was able to maintain a firm and fervent spirit of unity among the people hailing from different linguistic and cultural communities. Through these years he also set up a propaganda to raise funds for the missions and proved to be a successful ''Procurator''. He was a great help to the province in supporting the other mission stations that were being set up in Gujarat.

In 1984, as Provincial Delegate in East Africa, I needed a seasoned Salesian to supervise the construction of our building in Nairobi. Once again, I found in Fr. Jacob, a willing missionary ready to move to the foreign missions, without much concern for his own health and age. Within a short time he also set up a small mission office to raise funds for our apostolate in East Africa. Providence blessed his dedication and over the years the Province of Nairobi depends considerably on these funds even today. Fr. Jacob gave himself fully to the work entrusted to him. Besides supervising the construction works, his ministry in the confessional was regular and faithful, benefiting Salesians and all who frequented the Marian Shrine at Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The news of the sudden death of Fr. Jacob leaves me sad. I know the Lord has already taken him into his embrace to reward his unstinted fidelity in quality and time. I am sad I missed telling him how grateful I was to him for his generous availability and good example of Salesian commitment. He worked without much fanfare and has now slipped quietly into eternity. Though silent in life, Fr. P.I. Jacob leaves behind a loud message for all of us, that St. Joseph the Silent Saint still has great disciples who walk in his footsteps and contribute marvelously to the building of the Kingdom of God.

THANK YOU FR. JACOB FOR YOUR WONDERFUL HARD WORK ON EARTH!
YOU CERTAINLY DESERVE A GLORIOUS REST IN HEAVEN, AMEN!

A couple of years later, as Provincial of Mumbai, I was looking for a generous and capable confrere capable of pioneering our Salesian mission in Gujarat. I must have been inspired to pick on Fr. Jacob who promptly accepted the obedience, though even at that time diabetes was affecting him. The history of the Gujarat Salesian Missions bears testimony to his great success both as a zealous missionary Parish Priest and of course, as builder of our first parish and school in Baroda. The parishioners found in him a patient and supportive pastor. Though not given much to external emotional expressions, he endeared himself to them and was able to maintain a firm and fervent spirit of unity among the people hailing from different linguistic and cultural communities. Through these years he also set up a propaganda to raise funds for the missions and proved to be a successful ''Procurator''. He was a great help to the province in supporting the other mission stations that were being set up in Gujarat.

In 1984, as Provincial Delegate in East Africa, I needed a seasoned Salesian to supervise the construction of our building in Nairobi. Once again, I found in Fr. Jacob, a willing missionary ready to move to the foreign missions, without much concern for his own health and age. Within a short time he also set up a small mission office to raise funds for our apostolate in East Africa. Providence blessed his dedication and over the years the Province of Nairobi depends considerably on these funds even today. Fr. Jacob gave himself fully to the work entrusted to him. Besides supervising the construction works, his ministry in the confessional was regular and faithful, benefiting Salesians and all who frequented the Marian Shrine at Upper Hill, Nairobi.

The news of the sudden death of Fr. Jacob leaves me sad. I know the Lord has already taken him into his embrace to reward his unstinted fidelity in quality and time. I am sad I missed telling him how grateful I was to him for his generous availability and good example of Salesian commitment. He worked without much fanfare and has now slipped quietly into eternity. Though silent in life, Fr. P.I. Jacob leaves behind a loud message for all of us, that St. Joseph the Silent Saint still has great disciples who walk in his footsteps and contribute marvelously to the building of the Kingdom of God.

THANK YOU FR. JACOB FOR YOUR WONDERFUL HARD WORK ON EARTH! 
YOU CERTAINLY DESERVE A GLORIOUS REST IN HEAVEN, AMEN!

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