Adieu Rev. Fr. John Lens sdb

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Karunapuram 1 December: The funeral service of the last veteran missionary Rev. Fr John Lens SDB of St. Joseph’s province of Hyderabad held at Don Bosco Philosophate, Karunapuram. The body of Fr Lens brought to the place in an ambulance by Fr Sojan, the Economer of the province, Fr Kalyan, the secretary of the provincial and JMJ sisters. The body reached to Karunapuram at 01.30pm.

Fr. Provincial, Fr. Balaswamy, Fr Rayanna, Fr Mathew, other confreres of the province and the novices received the body of Fr. Lens and paid their homage in reciting the prayers and rosary for the soul of Fr Lens. At 02.30pm His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala DD, the Bishop of Warangal Diocese presided over the solemn funeral Holy Eucharistic celebration. Fr Raminedi Balaraju, the Provincial of St. Province of Hyderabad, Fr Maddichetty Noel, the Rector of SPSCA community at New Delhi, Fr Balaswamy, the councilors, the confreres from Bangalore province and others confreres of the province, priests from Diocese, deacons con-celebrated over the Holy Eucharist. At the beginning of the Holy Eucharist Fr. Provincial read about the life, works and the virtues of Fr. John Lens and appreciated him highly for his wonderful works of charity and for the services he has rendered to the province and to the congregation. His love for the young made him to be a missionary and served the people of India and especially the province of Hyderabad for many years.

At the end of the Holy Eucharistic celebration the councilors read the messages of Rector Major, Regional Supeiror and Arch Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Thumma Bala D.D. Fr James Kudiyiripal read the message of Rector Major. Fr Maliekal Jose read the message of Regional superior Fr Maria Arokiam Kanaga. Fr Thomas Santiagu read the message of Rt. Rev. Dr. Thmma Bala the Archbishop of Hyderabad. Afterwards few individuals those who are associated with Fr. Lens expressed their funeral eulogies. First and foremost Fr. Balaswamy, the second provincial of Hyderabad province, the Spiritual Director and the close friend of Fr Lens expressed his funeral eulogy and thanked him for everything that he has done to him and to the province. Fr Maddichetty Noel, the Rector of the SPCSA community at New Delhi, the close friend of Fr Lens who associated with him for many years and lived with him for years expressed his heartfelt feelings, grieved over and bid farewell to him.

On behalf of the novices, Nv. Sunil read the funeral eulogy to Fr. Lens and thanked him for the wonderful example he has set for every novice in being good and doing good. One of the representatives from St. Theresa’s Parish expressed his feelings and the good things father has done in the individuals and to the parish people of Sanathnagar.

At the end Fr. Kannadipara Mathew, the Novice Master of Sacred Heart Novitiate who lived and associated with him closely for two and half years expressed his funeral eulogy. He thanked him for the moments of joys, sorrows, happiness, affections that he has shared with him. He conveyed his hearty condolences to his family members and relatives of Fr. Lens. After eulogy Fr. Mathew thanked everyone on behalf of the community. He expressed his sincere thanks to His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala, the Bishop of Warangal for his presence and for presiding over the funeral service of the great missionary. Thanked Fr Raminedi Balaraju, the Provincial of Hyderabad province, Fr Maddichetty Noel, Fr Balaswamy, Fr Rayanna and all the councilors of the province. In a special way he thanked Fr Sojan and Fr Kalyan for their special love and care.

He also thanked the confreres those who have come from Bangalore province, confreres of Hyderabad province, JMJ sisters for their extra care and affection, the Presentation community, St. Theresa’s Parish and the members, Diocesan priests. Especially thanked the Parish priest of Karunapurm Fr Sudhakar and all those who have come for his funeral service. At the end he also thanked the M.C for the programme Fr Arul Das for his planning and preparation. Thanked the community of Don Bosco Philosophate, confreres and the student brothers for their involvement and hard work in making it successful.

After funeral Mass His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Udumala Bala DD, the Bishop of Warangal and Fr Provincial blessed the mortal remains of Fr Lens and paid their last homage and respect. All the priests and people had their last glance at the mortal remains of the great missionary Fr John Lens and bid tearful farewell to him.

At the end the confreres and the novices carried his mortal remains to the graveyard. Fr Provincial blessed the tomb and mortal remains, lowered the coffin to the ground while all eyes looked at him as the loss of great zealous pastor and missionary. Fr. Balaswamy remained there and seen to all the procedures in closing of the tomb. At last Fr Noel said the prayer near the tomb. The whole programme went on well and everyone left the place thinking of this great personality. A missionary, who sailed the seas and oceans, left his own country, his homeland and his family members and rendered his selfless service in the province of Hyderabad to the end of his life with much vigour and enthusiasm. May his life be the message to everyone. “Be Good and Do Good” are the words of Fr. John Lens. He remained an example of living saint among the people whom he came in close contact with him.

May his soul rest in peace and may the good Lord grant him eternal bliss. Adieu Dear Rev. Fr. John Lens SDB, the Great Legend of the Hyderabad Province.