Fr John Pynadath - Love draped in Lion Skin

For those who knew him at close quarters, he could be intimidating - a terror, given to fierce outbursts of temper; those who observed from a distance, he could be a gentleman, softspoken, and an able administrator, but those who turly journeyed with him discovered a man beneath all else, was deeply caring and profoundly loving. 

The few times I have met him since his tracheostomy, probably in 2021, his principal means of communication was smile - gentle, resigned, equanimous. Otherwise a passionate man, he seemed to have taken this phase of life with great equanimity, and I did not find in him any despondency or frustration. 

I tried to persuade him: 'acha, you should walk and exercise, you should come back to your former self'. He would respond with a smile. I think, had he wanted, he could have done something about the vent created through tracheostomy, and could have managed to speak; however, he seemed totally reconciled to the state of affairs, and never expressed the desire to go beyond that. 

My earliest memory of him goes back to when, as a 3rd grader, having met him at SH Monastery. Probably, he was fresh after his ordination as a priest, and was in-charge of the Press or was associated with it. But it didn't last long. My later interactions with him were as the councillor for Social Apostolate of the province, as the Principal of Rajagiri School, and Viswajyothi School. I think, it was he who built the building that houses the famed Rajagiri Public School now. It was built in connection with the silver jubilee of Rajagiri High School. The building which was just a skeleton, underwent several rounds of transfiguration, before it got its present shape. 

It was he who established Viswajyothi as a CMI school of some reckoning (at least, that is my reading, though, in no way do I discount the great contributions of Fr Jose Alukal and Fr Joy Kilikunnel). Sacred Heart CMI Public School at Thevara, I think, was again if not fully, partly his initiative, while he was the prior of the monastery.  I learn that even Jeevass School owes it to him for its existence.  The new college Viswajyothi, was again a testimony of his institution builder trait I think.  That is phenomenal! 

Though trained as a Social Worker from the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Work (my own alma mater), he did not venture much into that domain, barring his stint as the councillor for Social Apostolate of the province. I admire his tenacity and determination, when, past the age of 40 (late forties I think), he spared a year, and got himself qualified with a B Ed, that he might lead a school as the Principal with legitimacy and authenticity.  His outing to Canada, was to him like an exile, and from what I learn from his CMI colleagues there, he was feeling much deprived of Keralam, its atmosphere and its food. So he had an early exit, only to start a strong second phase of his career with guiding, establishing and building up institutions. 

We seemed to get along well. Whenever, we arrived for vacations as seminarians, he would gladly welcome us to the boarding and make us interact with the boarders, or extend the games time, so that some good players could play with us. I recall with relish the couple of times, he gave us company, took us youngsters to the town to enjoy the best available Chinese food in Kochi. 

It was just last month that I had met him last, and said hi, inspired him further to walk around and come back to his old self. But his smile revealed to me that he harboured no such desires. However, it never occurred to me that he would depart this soon. He appeared healthy and robust. 

Dear Father John, will miss your presence. While I have seen your temper getting the better of you, and while I have heard about the elite that you considered yourself to be, with your prejudices for social classes,  I have never felt ill at ease with you, but rather always comfortable and welcomed. May you rest joyfully with the Lord in peace eternal!