With no return ticket - Co'Report

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ver since his schooldays, Juan had been interested in India. He listened to stories from missionaries who had set off to eastern lands from Spain or Portugal and had dedicated their lives to helping people. Since that time, his dream of becoming one of them flourished. Their many letters described the same situation: “It is a lot of work and there are too few priests”. So, on August 15th, 1948, he joined the Society of the Jesuits

no return ticket, he departed with his peers. "At that time, India was much further away than it is today. That evening of January 23rd, 1952, I told my family goodbye forever. See you in heaven, I said to them, and embarked on an eighteen-day trip".

He arrived in Bombay on, February 11th, at 7 in the morning, just before he turned 21. "It seems like yesterday when I arrived and travelled on the local train from the port to Andheri. The priest who guided us pointed out all the churches along the way. Nowadays, as you see, there are nothing but skyscrapers", he says while squinting through the window.

"At that time, India was much further away than it According to the pastor, the church is today, so you had to was very rigid in times of San say goodbye forever" Francisco Javier, back in 1500. There

was a very strong movement to and he volunteered to be assigned to convert and baptize which has been the country of silk and spices. changing over the years. He considers that today, pluralism and On the day of Pentecost, one of his coexistence, at least in Mumbai, superiors announced: “The Holy have made people respect and Spirit has inspired me”, he said and, tolerate any doctrine without pointing at some of the novices, objections. "I was born into the assigned them a destination. Some of Catholic faith by the grace of God, them would go to Japan and others to but others have not had that India. Father Juan saw his dream opportunity. Even though many come true. He was so moved, he did people without faith come to church not think twice. He began studying searching for peace, they read the English, packed his bags and Bible and even attend the Mass. travelled to Naples. From there, with They do not take communion but 03

they feel comfortable here and, of Kambli, who is now a middle aged course, are welcome. There are many man and works as a sports commentator. To do so, one just has to attend a course of a year and be "I enjoy doing good baptized. He must also certify that he for anyone, does so of his own volition and without coercion.

Catholic or not" ways to find Jesus�, says the cleric who willingly receives Christians, Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Sikhs, Parsis or people from any other faith, with the same enthusiasm. He says there have been many adults who converted to Catholicism, including a former famous cricketer, Vinod

Father Juan was born in Gandia, Valencia, and despite saying goodbye to his family forever, he was able to visit them after 16 years.

"This idea of going to the other side of the world and not returning has vanished with the progress of technology. The flight from Spain to 04

India is now about twelve hours, thankfully", he says, since he still has two brothers who live with their families in Spain and he loves it when they come visit him in Mumbai.

The priest's mission began in the 50s, in the church of Saint Mary, in Mazgaon where he helped out in Saint Anne’s school for twenty two years. As an assistant priest, he made regular contact with the neediest families. At forty-two, he moved to the church of the Holy Family, in Andheri, where he remained for eight years performing a similar task.

"I enjoy doing good for anyone. I am very happy and satisfied with everything. A month ago I fell ill and received hundreds of calls, letters and messages from people who said they were praying for me. I feel very appreciated and I am so grateful", he says with excitement.

After his time in Andheri, Father Juan arrived at the church of Saint Peter, in Bandra. On the second floor of the adjoining building there is an austere room which has been his home for the past thirty-two years.

He keeps his belongings there and, in a corner, there is a box in which his 05

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memories of Spain are stacked.

Among them, there is a figure of baby Jesus that he brings out each December to place in the Nativity scene.

The church of St. Peter saw its walls erected in the city of Bombay in 1853, and ten years later the college of St. Stanislaus was built next to it.

This college was used originally as a boarding school for boys whose families spent time traveling or were unable to take care of them for long periods of time.

Nowadays, there are about 2300 09

pupils of many faiths enrolled in the school; over fifty per classroom.

According to the school schedule, all children must participate in three daily prayers. Parents who bring their children to the school understand and accept this requirement despite their beliefs.

However, the school is also inclusive of Hindu and Muslim festivals and celebrations. Once a week, in a collective meeting, everyone has the opportunity to speak about their different religions, and thus they receive an education based on tolerance. During religion lessons, those who are not Catholics have the

La selecciĂłn femenina ha ganado cuatro copas de Asia

choice to attend a class in ethics and morality. Basic values are taught in both of them: those which cannot be learnt from a book, and those that are essential to the development of human beings. "Money and success are not everything in life, so you need to instill values of coexistence, not necessarily mentioning Jesus.

That is what we try to teach, and families appreciate it�, the priest maintains.

specific assignment, he instinctively handles everything without being told what to do. He helps everyone

"Father Juan does a lot for everyone"

without even being asked and expects no medals or recognition.

Juan is a great person", says the director with a twinkle in his eyes.

Father Jude Fernandes, the principal Jude considers Father Juan as a of the school, talks about Father Juan support and a reference. "When I as a selfless person. "He is one of have any doubt or uncertainty, I those people who does not need any consult him. He gets involved, 10

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proposes solutions and always offers a thousand words of encouragement", he comments as he nods.

Eleven priests, including Father Juan, take care of the parish in Saint Peter.

Both, colorful stained glass windows and characteristic wooden benches witnessed the presence of Pope Paul VI himself in the sixties. Saint Peter is host to four daily masses and seven Sunday masses, attended by over five thousand faithful each week. There is a mass for children, another one for young people and even two days a year, they celebrate a mass for the handicapped who cannot attend regularly. "It's very beautiful", says Juan, who at 82 possesses an enviable amount of energy and remains thrilled about these things.

Catherine is the receptionist of the place.

She met Father Juan thirty years ago when she started working there. She claims his generosity has no limit. "He has done and does a lot for everyone.

Even nowadays, he receives people from Saint Mary and The Holy Family, two of his former parishes", she says while narrowing her large eyes. She maintains that Father Juan does not only help financially but he is the first one to support relatives of a patient in a

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hospital, assist people who have fallen on hard times, attend a funeral or encourage anyone who is sad. She continues slowly and emphatically, “I have even called him late at night feeling bad and he, always understanding, has told me: 'Catherine, take it easy, you are strong, rest and tomorrow you will feel better'. Sometimes, he has even authorized me to give some money to needy people who come asking for it".

"The West has lost the best it had.

Spirituality is lost" "Priests do not have a salary", indicates Juan. The diocese covers the cost of maintenance of the parishes and their pastors. In return, the church gives them the collections of the first two Sundays of the month. There is also a group of faithful who contribute 10% of their monthly salary. Some other people make spontaneous donations. "For weddings and other celebrations, we give them an envelope to contribute with a donation. Although we appreciate the generosity of people, we try not to make money the most important thing", he asseverates.

Juan has been detached from material goods for a very long time. He has focused his life on issues of faith and he is worried about the evolution of Western civilization in recent years. "The West has lost the best it had. Life seems to have become very superficial. Spirituality is lost", he laments, although the devotion that persists in India consoles him.

"Families pray the rosary at home and in church, which has a 24-hour open chapel. Hopefully, faith will reach more people with the new Pope Francisco", he declares.

Regarding the Pope’s statement about the role of women or the war against homosexuals, the octogenarian priest affirms that as women have become ministers or presidents, who 16

knows if they will be named bishops. "Let’s leave it in the hands of the Lord", he says. On the other hand, he seems not to agree with the idea of homosexuality but urges acceptance and respect. "Who am I to judge?” he says. “I think respect is the only thing that can help humankind to cooperate and work together".

Father Francisco Juan claims, with a smile on his face, that after a lifetime in Mumbai, when he visits Spain, the first three things he misses are: the crowds of people, the shoving and the crows that perch on every wall of the Indian city.

After sixty-two years of speaking English, he still has his Spanish safely stored in some corner of his memory, and speaks with amazing ease. Although he does not plan to return to Spain and he has his reasons: "People who have come to India always look forward to returning. What everyone loves here is the hospitality Spain used to have, when an unannounced visit was most welcome. People in the West live their everyday lives, experiencing fleeting moments of joy which are not fulfilling. That is how it looks to me".

Francisco Juan left Spain in 1952 with an impassioned call to help, an absolute conviction of having made the right decision, and without the fear that makes you look back a thousand times along the way. Over sixty years later, he still looks forward. His smile shows his happiness. His gaze recalls scenes of misery and sadness, partly mitigated by his collaboration. His hands, withered by age, receive the embrace of hundreds of people who, with arched brows, watery eyes and strong accent, say to him: 'Tank you, fater Wuan. Tank you'.

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