Mary Queen of Peace

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me"          Mt 25:40

Br. Maria Jegadhees was born on 22nd May 1957 to Maria Antony and Snegapoo in the village Azhagappapuram, an ancient catholic citadel with 13000 Catholics, 30 Priests, 50 nuns and a handful of seminarians. Being born to devout parents he grew steadily in faith. As a young boy, he exhibited smartness, brilliance, and a sense of religious vocation. He lost his father when he was very young and his elder sister a few years later. He was brought up by his beloved mother with all love and care. Even though, he was the only boy, the mother was happy to nurture his desire to become a Priest. He joined the Capuchin Order and pursued his religious studies in Amalashram, Trichur (Kerala), Kotagiri and St. Paul's Seminary, Trichy. He was a motivated, committed and hard-working student.      As the mother was ailing, his ordination was anticipated a year and was granted the favour to have his ordination in Sahayapuram (Valukkamparai) in the diocese of Kottar, a place closer to his native place Azhagappapuram on 30th May 1986.

An Ardent Learner:

He began his Priestly ministry as Vice Master in the Novitiate at Pambanvilai in June 1987. He was the Librarian and Professor when the Capuchins inaugurated their Regional Theologate in Amalashram in 1988. After 4 years of teaching, he qualified himself in Canon Law at St. Paul University, Ottawa, Canada. On his return he registered himself in Civil and Criminal Law study in Trichy. He practiced Law in Chennai and side by side acquired ML in Ambedkar Law College in Chennai. He came across cases of social nature which impelled him for another post-graduation in MSW in Chidambaram.  In fact, books were his major wealth and learning was his primary investment. He was also fond of Tamil culture and language that he would offer homilies in classic Tamil. He was also equally attracted to other languages that we find in his room, books of varied languages.

A Visionary:

The beauty of Br. Jegadhees is that he never kept his learning for himself but always used it to help the poor and the needy. He was the first Capuchin in Tamil Nādu to pioneer the legal ministry in Amalashram on 08th Sep 2001. In 2 years’, time, he helped to establish a community of Friars, who were qualified in Law, in a house which he negotiated and bought behind the National College in Trichy. He named the fraternity "CLARES" meaning Capuchin Legal Awareness, Research and Educational Services. He succeeded in making CLARES a Society and secured an 80G grant within a short span of time.  This place helped many poor people with free legal guidance and settled many disputes without court proceedings and expense. His stand was radical in defense of the poor and exploited. He had conducted several rallies creating awareness on human rights.

His professional Expertise was so great that Tamil Nadu Bishops inducted him into the legal cell. The diocese of Tuticorin availed his service in the marriage tribunal. He was a member in the Academic Council at St. Xavier College, Palayamkottai; a prestigious institute of the Jesuits. He framed the constitution of FST (Franciscan Sisters of St. Thomas) along with Fr. Clarence OFM Cap. He helped in completing the revision of the Constitution of CIC (Congregation of the Immaculate Conception) of Madurai, which was initiated by Fr. Jayasilan SJ of happy memories.

A Man for all Seasons: A Man for the Poor & Needy:

He was erudite yet very simple. He would be ready to do any work that is needed for the well-being of the community; be it cleaning, washing, cooking, gardening and even giving bath to the dogs.  One of the hallmarks of his life was that he was always ready to help anyone in need. He would walk any extra mile to take care of a needy person. As early as a young Priest in Trichy, he solicited from friends and individuals to treat heart patients and other sick people and have saved a few lives. 

He founded a movement called "AASAI" (Azhagai St. Antony School Alumni Integration) in his native place to promote education and talents. Recently AASAI has become a registered Society. He contributed his voluminous share in the creation of "CARES" (Capuchin Animation for Rehabilitation and Empowerment Society) in Thirumangalam, St. Francis Mercy Home Trust in South Karungulam for the welfare of the destitute men and St. Francis Anbagam Trust for the rehabilitation of Drug Dependents (AA) at Okkur Pudur.

Wherever he served, he had taken very many initiatives to uplift the lives of the local people.  During his tenure (2011- 2015) as Guardian of Assisi Ashram and Chaplain of Pambanvilai, the people kindled his enterprising zeal for a new parish church. He valued their foresight as the catholic population was steadily increasing. He mobilized funds from French Capuchin Provincial, Gulf Counties, United States, and dioceses of Kuzhithurai and Kottar. He constructed a monumental church to the amazement of the diocese. Bishop Peter Remigius consecrated the church and installed Fr. Jegadhees himself the first parish Priest on 1st May 2014. It was a Himalayan task undreamed by many and thought impossible but materialized. He had his strains and sleepless nights and yet dared without an atom of regret or fatigue.

In the following term, when he was a member in Arulagam, V. K. Puram, he helped to build a community hall in VadamalaiSamudram and paved the way for alternative trades like garments units for women instead of Beedi (local cigarette) making. A new task came on his way when the province requested him to accompany the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Palayamkottai. He was a brother and father to them taking care of them and helped them to settle peacefully and do the great ministry of prayer in the Diocese of Palayamkottai.

On seeing his merits of service, more demanding task was placed on his shoulder - to help the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration in Kizhavaneri. We could say that it was his monumental achievement to help this monastery establish itself. He was working day and night and moving from pillar to post to gather financial resources to complete the building construction of this monastery with the blessing of the Chapel on 11th August 2022. He became their benefactor so to speak although he was asked only to be a mediator.

PDO:

In the last one year, he was fondly called as PDO. The province established anew a Province Development Office. He became the first director of the office. He served as the think-tank to work for the development of varied friaries and the future of the province. He was particularly coordinating the fundraising for the formation of our brothers. He was very prompt and was gifted with ability to maintain a good rapport with the benefactors. He also served as the Mission Secretary of the Province during this time. He accompanied the provincials to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka to assess the growth of the missions and Capuchin seminarians. He contacted friends and funding agencies to sponsor seminarians and schemes in the missions. His contributions to Sri Lankan mission are monumental and will be remembered for ever. The faithful and the people in these mission stations, notably Sri Lanka are shaken by this great loss.

Life of Service till the End

The previous day of his death (12th September), he was instrumental in establishing a drinking water facility for the kids in our Kallikudi school. On 14^th September he had planned to accompany a missionary brother from Zimbabwe to the hospital. In between, on 13th September at sunrise he travelled by train to Tirunelveli to have his eyes checked. He returned by the Intercity Express between Trivandrum and Trichy.  The train does not stop in Thirumangalam and so he had his ticket up to Madurai. Since the train slowed down at the station limit around 4.30 pm, he thought that he could get down. It is unfortunate that he slipped and terribly hurt and was thrown by the side of the track. Since it was at the end of the platform, no one noticed except when someone went to the end for the evening walk. The station police were alerted and soon they notified our Friars. Brs. Kennedy and Nirmal rushed to the station in short time and found him on the platform lying, almost unconscious. They carried him to the ambulance and reached the Government Hospital in Thirumangalam. As they reached the hospital around 5.30 pm, the doctors declared him dead just a few minutes ago.

The Parting Moments:

The hospital released the body the next day around 12 noon after the post-mortem. It was kept in our church at Thirumangalam for public homage and prayers. Good number of Priests and people paid him floral tributes. Then at 12.30 pm, escorted by Friars front and back of the ambulance, they brought the body to Pampanvilai parish church at 5.15 pm. On arrival, Bishop Nazarene of Kottar began the Mass. Bishop Peter Remigius, almost 80 Capuchin Friars including Novices and Deacons and 20 Priests of Kottar and Tuticorin were the concelebrants. Br. Jayasheelan enumerated the life history of Fr. Jegadhees as an introduction. Brs. Amala Udhayam and Godwin led the choir. Br. Arumainathan preached a very meaningful sermon enunciating his characteristics, charism, and commitment. After communion Bishop Nazarene, Fr. Selvarayar the Parish Priest of Azhgappapuram, Br. A. Antonysamy - Tamil Nadu North Provincial and Br. S. Lawrence- Tamil Nadu South Provincial delivered the condolence message. Bishop Peter Remigius headed the Sacramentals. The church was overpacked with Priests, nuns, brothers, OFS members, relatives, friends and with people from wherever he served. One could witness how love touches people. The occupants of Amalanjali (Servant quarters of Amalashram) which he supervised long ago and innumerable beneficiaries remained inconsolable.

Then we took the Body in procession to Assisi Ashram. Brs. Provincials of both provinces, and Br. Selvaraj, the Delegate Superior of Sri Lanka said the prayer of commendation part by part. He was laid to rest around 7.30 pm in the vaulted cemetery which he himself built in 2011.

Epilogue:

His death has created a vacuum in the province not just because of the sudden and shocking death but because of the towering personality of him. He was erudite yet simple. He cut his uniqueness by his heart to serve the poor and anyone who is in need. He was influential not because of his words but because of his verifiable genuine motives.  He was trustworthy in any assignment without demanding comforts. He neither boasted of his achievements nor lamented of his crises. He maintained confidentiality as he dealt with sensitive issues. He manifested deep sense of love and belonging to the Province and to the Order. He worked for the good of the province until the last minute. We have lost in him an active and promising friar. God's designs are unfathomable. May God reward him with an eternal crown of glory and a place among His Elects. We believe that Jesus may invite him with these words, “Come you blessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…... Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:34- 40) 

May he rest in peace and pray for us and whom he cared.

courtesy:  Fr. S. Arockiam, OFM Cap.