Fr Vijay Kumar Prabhu - A Jesuit with a Large Heart and Deep Human Spirit

Fr Vijay Prabhu, SJ in a recent photo at FRH

There are many people who come into your life but very few leave behind indelible mark. This is because they have been exceptionally kind, gentle and generous towards you. You do not want such people to go away from this life so early. Because they are simply good. This is the case with Fr Vijay Prabhu (1940-2020) who left us today for eternity on this day of the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows (15th September).

I

A gentle and generous leader

Fr Vijay was blessed with a tremendous capacity to be gentle and generous leader. He was exceptionally gifted with a unique capacity to be gentle with the Jesuits and others under his care. He touched many people with warmth and affection. Wit, humour, and wisdom would flow naturally in his conversations. Perhaps that must be the reason why everybody wanted him to be the superior or rector of their communities. Since his return to the province after serving as professor of philosophy and principal of our Jesuit Philosophate Satyanilayam in Chennai he took up responsibilities of greater importance of governance in the Society of Jesus. He never looked for positions in the Society instead they came in search of him. He was the Superior of Vidyaniketan, Dharwad, rector of Mount Saint Joseph, Bangalore, St Aloysius College, Mangalore, St Joseph's College Bangalore, Karnataka Jesuit Province Coordinator of Formation (PCF), Provincial of Jesuits of Karnataka and so forth. This shows the amiability and warm-heartedness of Fr Vijay. I believe that no Jesuit either young or senior felt inhibition or unease to speak to him when Fr Vijay held the position of governance in the institution. As a young Jesuit in 1990's I had a great hesitation either to visit or stay in some of our major houses with attached institutions as it contained persons who should be called pezzo grosso (big shots) who gave an impression that these houses are meant only for professed Fathers. Once Fr Vijay became the PCF and rector of Mount St Joseph things began to change rapidly. All the young Jesuits in formation found an abode in Mount St Joseph because of Fr Vijay's hospitality and kind welcome. 

II

A man of adjustments with positive attitude

Jesuit formation is tough but many superiors and persons in position make it even tougher unnecessarily. Fr Vijay was a different man. He was gifted with a unique talent of encouraging others. I believe that under Fr Vijay as superior of Vidyaniketan Scholasticate in Dharwad, the young Jesuits brought out a number of their creative works in the form of publication. Fr Vijay was all for new ventures, new initiatives and new enterprises. He believed in persons and had tremendous confidence in them. He took not only keen interest in their lives but also encouraged them. As in charge of formation, Fr Vijay sent me to Russia for my regency. Often I found his emails in my mail box encouraging and supporting in my life in a cold and ex-communist country as a missionary. In fact it was such a happy coincidence to see him and spend few days together in Rome in 2004 when he came to attend the new provincials' scola provinciali while I was doing my theological studies there. Fr Vijay had absolutely no problem with altogether out of box suggestions even though others might object. Certainly, he did not believe in being a mere "maintenance" superior or rector. When I was in dilemma as I was already applicatus to the Russian Independent Region and  in getting the permission to do my priestly ordination in my home parish than in Mangalore, Fr Vijay not only supported my idea but also did all the arrangements to see that priestly ordinations held outside Mangalore city are also valid!

III

A deeply spiritual man with a knack to give retreats 
I found in Fr Vijay a deeply spiritual person. Often I saw Fr Vijay at my door during my long recovery at the infirmary of Mount St Joseph saying, "Olvin it's tough for you but I am praying for you. Take courage." During his regular evening walks in the MSJ campus he would say his vocal prayers and rosary which could be heard if you are around him. Probably this must have kept him going in spite of his weak heart. In the last few years, Fr Vijay developed a number of health problems, yet he had others in his heart. He always saw how best he can be of help in spite of his debilitating health. During his stay in Mount, I found him busy preaching eight and thirty day retreats at Dhyanashrama to groups of priests, nuns and brothers. Thousands of people must have listened and prayed through his insights because of his great intellectual, spiritual and human depth.  People remember him for his friendliness, warmth and affability. He was always ready to give spiritual retreats at the newly opened retreat house Xavier Sadan in Mysore and at the reorganised Fatima Retreat House, Mangalore. I carry with me one insight that he gave in preaching Ignatian retreats. He said that we must always cultivate in retreatents a taste for the prayers of St Ignatius of Loyola. Very often retreatents get out of an Ignatian retreat without learning even a single prayer of Master Ignatius.

Fr Vijay, we will miss you greatly but your inspiration and life will certainly enable us to continue your legacy in our lives as Jesuits. May you Rest in Peace!

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

15 September 2020
The feast of Our Lady of Sorrows