Fr John Lens, Calls It a (Good) Day!

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‘Be good and don`t forget to breathe!` was the cheerful message spread around by Fr John Lens (INH) to everyone he met all along the 93 years that he spent on this earth. Fr Lens, as he was fondly called by all, left for his eternal `good`, on November 28, 2014 at 11 pm. The Salesian Province of Hyderabad, along with all those dearly loved by him, collectively pay homage to the mortal remains of this man who gave nothing, but his best to God and the Salesian world, on December 1, 2014 at Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram at 02.30 pm.

Fr John Lens, the only foreign missionary in the Salesian Province of Hyderabad and the senior most confrere of the Province breathed his last on November 28, 2014. He was the confessor in the novitiate at Manoharabad for the last 17 years. He suffered a massive heart attack and collapsed in his room before confreres discovered him missing for prayer (something very very unusual). The Novices broke open the door and rushed him to the hospital where he was declared dead.

For a man who was born in Borgerhout (Belgium) and went on to make war planes for Hitler during the World War II, life would have been a different saga. But when God called him, he left all of it and made his first profession as a Salesian in his hometown in the year India won her Independence. Two years later, in 1949, he found himself in Goa doing his practical training as a young missionary. The next three years he spent in Shillong for his theological studies and soon after his ordination, on August 01, 1953 he was posted at Poonamalle. Having worked also in Kotagiri, Katpadi, Negombo (Sri Lanka), Tirupattur, he reached Andhra Pradesh in 1975. And all along he made India his home!

From 1975 when the Salesians were offered a Parish in the city of Hyderabad (St Teresa’s Church, Sanathnagar), he stayed put offering God and his best to all those who approached him. He also served two separate terms as the rector of the aspirantate in Gunadala (Vijayawada) before retiring to the novitiate as the confessor. However, ‘retirement’ was only from a portfolio… he never stopped working, never stopped doing all he could.

Those who knew him personally – that would be practically the whole of the Salesian Province of Hyderabad – would vouch for the fact that he was a man beyond comparison. His tireless enthusiasm, even in his last days, would put any youngster to shame. His love for Don Bosco was very very tangible – in his dealings with confreres, young and lay people alike, in his words, writings and attitude. He was indeed a true son of Don Bosco. His most passionate hobby was to make Don Bosco known, besides the million other things he kept himself busy with! His pen, opened envelopes and pieces of used paper, and his computer were the most used means for the same.

He had a real knack of narrating events and stories. Boys and confreres would hang on to his lips, especially when he spoke of Don Bosco’s life and deeds. After meals, during recreation, he would be the most sought after person – that too after he has successfully led them all to a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. As all those close to him, feel his absence here on earth, we are glad to have a certain intercessor for us in heaven. What he did here on earth, he continues doing from heaven… leading us closer to God.

Activity Years

Groot Bygaarden (Belpium): Novitiate 1946-1947