Jerome M. Fernandez
Rt. Rev. Dr Jerome M Fernandez, the first native Bishop,[1] administered the ancient Diocese of Quilon for four decades: 1937-1978. [2] Bishop Jerome was an eminent educationist, a great visionary, a philanthropist and above all, a saintly figure. A host of educational institutions, both general and technical, established by him remain the most precious of all contributions during his tenure.[3]
Servant of God Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez Bishop Emeritus of Quilon | |
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Proponent of Charismatic Renewal & Indianization. Educationalist & Social Reformer | |
Born | Koivila, Kollam, Kerala, India | 8 September 1901
Died | 27 February 1992 Kerala, India | (aged 90)
Servant of God Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez Declared on 24 February 2019 | |
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The First Indian Bishop of Roman Catholic Church. Founder of Missionary Sisters of St. Theresa of Infant Jesus | |
Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Early Life[edit]
Bishop Jerome was born on September 8, 1901 at Koivila, Thuppassery Family, Kollam on the feast of the Immaculate Conception. On May 15, 1915 at the age of fourteen he joined St. Raphael's Minor Seminary , completed his high school studies in St. Aloysius School, and was enrolled in St. Teresa's Major Seminary on May 29, 1922, which was the western wing of what is now Fatima College. (The building was constructed by His Lordship, Archbishop Aloysius Maria Benziger, OCD, Bishop of Quilon, 1905-1931.) On completing his ecclesiastical studies, he was ordained priest on March 23, 1928 from Bishop Aloysius Maria Bensiger and was immediately appointed Professor of Latin and Theology in his Alma Mater; a recognition of his intelligence, dedication and hard-work during a period when there were very few Indian Professors in the seminaries of India. When in 1936, Fr. Vincent Derere O.C.D., Professor at St. Teresa's Major Seminary was appointed Bishop of Quilon, he chose Fr. Jerome as his Secretary. A year later when Bishop Derere was transferred to Trivandrum & the newly erected diocese bifurcated from Quilon. Fr. Jerome was consecrated the First Indian Bishop of Quilon, the most ancient Indian diocese, established in 1329 by Pope John XXII. Just 36 years old then, he was the youngest Bishop in the world. [4]
Bishop of Quilon[edit]
Most Rev. Dr Jerome M. Fernandez, a man of simplicity, holiness who lead an austere life, was ordained as the first native Bishop of Quilon on 19th December 1937 and he led the Diocese till 1978. [5] He was consecrated as bishop on Dec 12, 1937 at St Francis Cathedral at Ernakulam. During his reign of 41 long and fruitful years - from 1937 to 1978 - Bishop Jerome proved himself a man of indomitable courage and tremendous faith in God. The visionary in him built a chain of schools, colleges and other educational institutions.
Contributions[edit]
Rt. Rev. Dr Jerome M. Fernandez was the great visionary who founded schools and colleges for the educational upliftment of the Latin Catholics of the Diocese of Quilon. His Lordship believed that education was a means to enlightenment, social change and material prosperity. That was a glorious chapter in the march of the Diocese towards enduring progress. He worked tirelessly for the educational uplift of the Latin Catholic Community by setting up Colleges, Schools and Technical Institutions.[6] He also worked for the upliftment of people via hospitals, social reforms and he was the proponent of Charismatic Renewal and thrusted in inculturation – the process of Indianization after Vatican II. The thrust of his missionary activity can be focussed as follows.[7]
Education[edit]
The integral formation of a human person can fulfil only through education. Fatima Mata National College established in 1951 was one of the major achievements, which has changed the face of the Latin Catholic Community of Quilon. The special interest the Bishop took in the growth and development of Fatima College is worth mentioning. This college is, undoubtedly, the fruit of this dedicated and far-sighted prelate's selfless labour. [8] Karmala Rani Training College at Kollam as the centre of formation for teachers, Bharatha Matha I.T.I at Kottiyam, in creating job opportunities by providing technical education for the poor and the Jyoti Nikethan Women's College at Kollam, for the upliftment of women folk and sister institutions of Fatima, were founded in 1960, 1962 and 1973 respectively. [9] On June 3, 1968 Vimalambika L.P. S was established at the heart of Kottarakara town on the Kollam- Thirumangalam National High way presuming that the development of an area can be made possible only by means of education. In 1940 Infant Jesus Anglo-India School was established for the development of Anglo-Indian community at Thangassery and Nazareth Bala Bhavan in caring poor children at Kottiyam. In 1966 Trinity Lyceum English Medium School was founded in order to promote English education. The Benziger Hospital and the Nursing School are the other outstanding gifts of the Bishop to his flock. Bishop Jerome was a great defender of the rights of minorities, especially in the field of education. When efforts were made to nationalise educational institutions in the late 1940s by the Dewan of Travancore, Sir. C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, and in the late 1950s by the Marxist Government in Kerala, Bishop Jerome was very much in the forefront of the battle against this move.
Social Reforms[edit]
He is renowned as the defender of the rights of poor Fisher folk for whom he formed the ‘Quilon District Fishermen Union’ in 1948. His voice was powerful enough to wake up the Central as well as State Governments into rapid action for the downtrodden community. He worked for the upliftment of the people without any distinction based on religion, caste or creed. He formed another organisation called “Ashtamudikayal Matsyathozhilali Union” which aimed at organizing themselves to fight against all kinds of oppressions and injustice. In order to help the poor especially, fisherfolk economically, he encouraged to begin the ‘Costal Development Bank’ and he founded Quilon Social Service Society (1960) for the coordination of the social services in the diocese.[10]
Institutes of Consecrated Life[edit]
He found the need of missionaries in the diocese and established various institutes. In 1959 he established Missionary Sisters of Saint Teresa of Child Jesus in serving with a zeal for the upliftment of common folk. The congregation of the ‘Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary’ was made an independent congregation of the diocese (Congregation centered in Pondicherry). The ‘Sisters of the Little Flower’ was a new congregation founded. He invited various other congregations to make the missionary work more intensive in diocese such as Salesians, Vincentians, Norbetines, Carmelites and Capuchins.[11] He established a Fatima shrine in October 13, 1949 near St Raphael’s Seminary (Now Pastoral Centre) in order to show respect and gratitude to Mother Mary for her abundance blessings. [12]
Inculturation[edit]
He adopted the names, symbols and values of the Indian culture, traditions and Philosophy in order to comprehends the propagation of faith in Indian people. Reforms focused in the Second Vatican Council and its proposal of inculturation boosted him to use this method of missionary activity.[13] He was a council father of the Second Vatican Council and was the president of liturgical committee of Latin hierarchy of Kerala. [14] Inspired by the spirit of Vatican II he led liturgical reform in adapting Indian culture and promoted vernacular liturgy instead of liturgy in Latin. His masterpiece of inculturation is the chapel of St. Raphael’s seminary constructed in 1977. “He designed the altar in the form of lotus, which is the national flower of India. Sanctuary is in the form of a sunflower, which is common in India. Near to the sanctuary he gave an inspiring title ‘Neer Kshir Vivek’ in Sanskrit, the National Language of India. (‘Neer Kshir Vivek,’ these words in Hindi literally means, Neer – water, kshir – milk, vivek – wisdom. Near the sanctuary there is an image of a Swan. There is a tradition which says that Swan can separate milk from water. It is an image which reminds us that ‘we acknowledge, believe and adore Jesus in the Eucharist.’) On the top of the Chapel he established ‘St Thomas Cross’ to remind the presence of the Apostle Thomas at Quilon. Behind the chapel it is written “AUM” (A+AM). In Sanskrit language “A” is the beginning (ALPHA) and “AM” is the end (OMEGA). “AUM” is God who is the beginning and end.” [15] “Baratha Ranji” (Mary, Queen of India), the Indian image of the Mother Mary designed combines the elements of the Church and the elements of India without any adulteration. (The foot of the image is a ‘Lotus’ (Indian National Flower). Mother Mary is dressed in ‘Saree’ (dress of Indian women). She holds child Jesus in her left hand and she blesses with the right hand in the Indian style. Above her head there is a crown and Holy Spirit dwells over the crown in the form of s ‘white dove’. Both the sides of the throne are royally adorned with ‘two lions’ which decorate the ‘Ashoka Sthambha’. ‘Ashoka Chakra’ which decorate also the centre of the national flag, is also given in the image). He adopted Indian names for many of his churches, hospitals and other institutions. Such as Karmalarani (Queen of Mount Carmel), Vimalaniketh (House of Purity), Vinayalaya (Abode of Humanity), Bharatha Ranji (Queen of India), Vimalambika (Lady of Purity), Fatima Mandir (House of our Lady of Fatima), Jyothi Nikethan (House of Light), Ashtajalarani (Queen of the ‘Ashtamudi’ lake), Cherupushpa Nivas (House of Little Flower), Bharatha Matha (Mother of India), Christu Raj (Christ the King), Deva Matha (Mother of God), Upahara Matha (Mother of help), Ghandi Smaraka Yesu Nivas (Ghandhi memorial house of Jesus), Arogya Matha (Mother of Health), Balika Mariam (The infant Mary), Santhidan (House of peace), Loka Rakshaka (Redeemer of the world), Sisudevastanam (The house of child Jesus), Sri Yesu sisu Bhavanam (House of Jesus for children).
Charismatic Renewal[edit]
He is also considered to be the pioneer of Catholic Charismatic Movement in Kerala. [16] He founded and took leadership of Emmaus, the centre of Charismatic movement and its magazine ‘Jeevajwala’. He instated all the three rites of Kerala should be one with the Charismatic Movement. After a long and fruitful period of selfless service, Bishop Jerome handed over the reins of the administration of the diocese to his successor in 1978. Even during his retired life at St. Joseph’s Priests’ Home at Kottiyam, till three years before his death, (on February 26, 1992), he kept himself busy through the Charismatic Movement. [17] His vision of Charismatic Movement still continuous even after his death.
Media[edit]
In order to spread the Good News in the context of social reformation to the common folk lives in vast region of the Diocese of Quilon, He established Catholic Press in the year 1942 and started publishing a magazine named “Catholica Prevarthanam.” In 1956, to protect and propagate faith in and around diocese, he established “Viswadharmam” weekly. He formed a ‘Commission for the protection of Faith’ and they were responsible for the “Viswadharmam.”[18]
Death and Legacy[edit]
On May 14, 1978, he resigned as Bishop and lived in priest home like a saintly Indian hermit which shows his simplicity. He wore simple saffron cloths, used ordinary means of transport and showed mercy to all people with no discrimination. He had spent his time in prayer and ascetic life. To spread the spirituality to all community he became the proponent of Charismatic movement in India. [19] He attained heavenly abode on February 26, 1992, and his mortal remains are buried in the Infant Jesus Cathedral, Thangasseri, Kollam. He remains, a holy man in the minds of the faithful.
“Padharekhakal”- Circulars and Letters of Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez is published both in Malayalam and English. Edited by Rev. Fr Romance Antony and V.T. Kuzheepuzha and Published by Stithi Publications, Kollam in the year 2017.
Servant of God[edit]
The proceedings for the canonisation of Bishop Jerome were initiated by His Excellency Rev. Dr Stanley Roman. He appointed Rev. Dr Baiju Julian as the postulator for the cause of the beautification of Bishop Jerome in 2017. After obtaining the ‘Nihil Obstat’ from the Congregation for the cause of Canonization in Vatican. His Excellency Rev. Dr Paul Antony Mullassery, the Bishop of Quilon declared Bishop Jerome as “Servant of God” on Feb 24, 2019.
Vedios[edit]
Documentary of Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez (Bishop of Quilon 1937 – 1978) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNLbVNK04Zo
Bishop Jerome M Fernandez is declared as Servant of God https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk3qDd8DjTA
Bishop Jerome M. Fernandez declare as Servant of God today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJBBCq6v-nA
Smrithi | Bp Jerome M Fernandez | by Joseph Sugun Leon | Ep.10 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRTq0WhpfOc
References[edit]
- ↑ ":: Official Website Bishop Jerome Institute, Kollam (Kerala) ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ Dr. Kayavil, Ferdinand. “Bishop Jerome - Kalathinte Karmayogi: A Study of his Time and Achievements” Bishop Jerome Foundation: Kollam, July 1998 (p-17).
- ↑ “Padharekhakal” Edited by Rev. Fr Romance Antony and V.T. Kuzheepuzha. First Edition. Stithi Publications:Kollam, 2017.
- ↑ ":: Official Website Diocese of Quilon ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ ":: Official Website Bishop Jerome Institute ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ ":: Bishop Jerome Institute ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ Dr. Jerman, Shaji. “History of Quilon: The Ancient Diocese in India (09-08-1329). J. Cathalani Publications:Kollam, July 2008 (p-118)
- ↑ Njyan Kandarinja Abhivanya Jerome Thirumeni – “Ee Yogyavaryane orikkalum marakkathirikkatte” Bp. Stanly Roman.Edited by Rev. Dr Biju Julian and Antony J. Mundakkal.Javier Institute Publications: Kollam, 2015 (P-15)
- ↑ ":: Official Website Diocese of Quilon ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ Dr. Jerman, Shaji. “History of Quilon: The Ancient Diocese in India (09-08-1329). J. Cathalani Publications:Kollam, July 2008 (p-119).
- ↑ Dr. Jerman, Shaji. “History of Quilon: The Ancient Diocese in India (09-08-1329). J. Cathalani Publications:Kollam, July 2008 (p-122).
- ↑ Dr. Kayavil, Ferdinand. “Bishop Jerome - Kalathinte Karmayogi: A Study of his Time and Achievements” Bishop Jerome Foundation: Kollam, July 1998 (p-144).
- ↑ . Njyan Kandarinja Abhivanya Jerome Thirumeni – Dr Baiju Julian Edited by Rev. Dr Biju Julian and Antony J. Mundakkal. Javier Institute Publications: Kollam, 2015(p-9).
- ↑ Njyan Kandarinja Abhivanya Jerome Thirumeni – “Elima niranja bhasha pandithan” Archbishop Cornelius Ilanjikkal. Edited by Rev. Dr Biju Julian and Antony J. Mundakkal. Javier Institute Publications: Kollam, 2015 (p- 17).
- ↑ Dr. Jerman, Shaji. “History of Quilon: The Ancient Diocese in India (09-08-1329). J. Cathalani Publications:Kollam, July 2008 (p-121-122).
- ↑ ":: Official Website Bishop Jerome Institute ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ ":: Official Website Diocese of Quilon ::". Retrieved 2021-06-13.
- ↑ Dr. Jerman, Shaji. “History of Quilon: The Ancient Diocese in India (09-08-1329). J. Cathalani Publications:Kollam, July 2008 (p-120).
- ↑ “Memoria” Ferdinand Kayavil. Edited by Dr K.B. Selvamani. Diocese of Quilon: Kollam, 2019 (p-83)
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