Croatian Jesuits seek their saint in India

KOLKATA, India (UCAN) — A Jesuit team from Croatia concluded a week-long India visit Feb. 8 to prepare for the canonization process for a Croatian missioner.

Father Ivan Koprak, Jesuit provincial of Croatia, and two other Jesuits visited villages in eastern India’s Baruipur diocese, where the late Jesuit Father Ante Gabric had worked.

Father Gabric died in 1988 at the age of 73 in Mariapally parish in West Bengal state.

Father Koprak said the late Jesuit had taught modern Croatian Jesuits to be open to the Church’s universal mission.

Father Koprak, who is the team leader, told UCA News they would submit their report to Croatian Cardinal Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, suggesting he apply for the sainthood process for the missioner to be initiated.

Father Ante Torstonjic, Croatian province’s procurator who was in the team, said Father Gabric was “a man of action, which makes us rethink our own faith.” He said older Croatians have great respect for the missioner, who spent 50 years in India, mostly in Baruipur diocese.

In his “moving letters” to friends and benefactors in Croatia, Father Gabric referred to “your and my Bengal,” making them part of his missionary work, Father Torstonjic said.

Baruipur diocesan Father Sylvester Xavier, who was with Father Gabric when he died, said local Christians, Hindus and Muslims revered the missioner as a sadhu baba or saintly man. Father Xavier said several miracles have been attributed to the missioner, but have not been medically verified.

Father Xavier, who assisted Father Gabric for 10 months, now manages the parish the Jesuit started near the Sundarbans forest. He says proclaiming the missioner a saint would strengthen people’s faith, and “bring many more” to Christianity.

Former Archbishop Henry D’Souza of Calcutta described Father Gabric as “one of the greatest missioners” who brought “great enthusiasm” to the Christian community in 24 Parganas District.

The prelate spent one year at Basanti, where the late Jesuit had established a technical school and an agricultural school in 1955.

IE08757.1588 February 9, 2010 33 EM-lines (327 wirds)

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