Special Events

   Sch. Raul D'souza Speaks of DNC Play. Who is De Nobili?

“He came, he saw and he conquered.” These were the words of Julius Caesar, which can be applied to the life of Robert de Nobili S.J. He came, saw and became an Indian in his thinking, lifestyle and was even a champion of enculturation. 

“Even to the Indies” originally written by Cyril Desbruslais S.J. was edited, directed and staged by the students of De Nobili College (DNC) on the 26^th and 28^th of January, 2012. This play is a biographical sketch on the life of Robert de Nobili S.J., a young Roman of a wealthy, aristocratic family, who joined the newly formed Society of Jesus in the mid sixteenth century. 

Fr. Robert de Nobili though an Italian by birth adopted India as his 'karmabhumi' and thus became the forerunner of Hindu-Christian Dialogue in India. One cannot bypass his name when speaking of enculturation. Within the context of evangelization what does enculturation mean? It means to plant the seed of faith within a given culture. What emerges is homegrown, indigenous, acceptable to the local culture as their own, in contrast to something that is culturally alien and abhorrent to their sensibilities.

De Nobili adopted a lifestyle that was acceptable to the Hindus viz. that of a Sanyasi. Prior to having adopted this way life, the locals called the Westerns 'Parangi'- a derogatory word applied when referring to the low castes & the untouchables. This way of life was an attempt and a successful one to bridge the void between two cultures which were alien to each other.

This three act play brings out the tension Robert de Nobili had to face due to the progressive ideas he tried to implement. We witness the trials and misunderstandings this well meaning and zealous man was subjected to. The play makes us realize that the 'Indianization' of the Christian faith is not just something new-fangled that cropped up after Vatican II, but has been part and parcel of Jesuit history right from its inception.

Farewell to Fr. Rosario Rocha - Sch. Anderson Fernandes

He first described his way of living to us as, “The calm, peaceful and genteel God of the New Testament”. That statement might well sum up the person that he really is: kind, cordial, sociable and good humoured. If this may seem as an exaggerated description about Fr Rocha, then think twice before you go hunting for a person who would disagree with the above lines. Recently I also happened to meet another person who said that his mind thinks twice as fast his actions.  I bet no one would dispute on that point too. Two of the most mysteries that dwell in everyone’s minds is, how old is Fr Rocha and how come he goes about cool and composed at all times in all situations? I can quickly glance at my province catalogue and tell that he is just a few days shy of his 60^th birthday and for the latter, I guess it springs forth from his deep knowledge and incorporation of the Buddhist and Vipasana studies that he has mastered. His learning has not remained at his head level but has been assimilated by his system and his life.

My first association with Fr Rocha dates back to my novitiate days in XTC, Desur. He was giving us a week long course about Indian Spirituality and Yoga. His sessions back then and his depth of knowledge had impressed me very much. Most of his classes came straight out of his head and I began to wonder how much this man can remember of all this stuff, especially some sophisticated Sanskrit (read Greek) terms.  Another reason I felt connected to Fr Rocha back then was that we had studied in the same school as boys and our houses were just a few kilometres apart. Fast forward five years and all that I got to hear about Fr Rocha were through our newsletter JIVIT. The most prominent among them was that he was one of the delegates at GC 35.

Our next association was in DNC. Fr Rocha was one who was very talked about in the campus and a large part of it was surprisingly positive (considering not too many professors are praised in JDV). Due to his broad mindedness, intellectual and managerial competence he has held important posts in JDV as the Dean of the Faculty of Theology, acting Registrar, President of Konknni Sabha, and so on. Even in DNC, he was well sought after when he was the liturgy in charge. His patience at organising and patiently bearing up with numerous practices at diaconate services is echoed by most of the community members. As a Goa Province Jesuit, it was a pleasure having his company among us scholastics. Apart from being very punctual, he was the soul of province recreations. Now that he no more is present on Wednesdays, we miss his presence in our province room. Now that he has been appointed as the Provincial of the Goa Jesuit Province, his capabilities have only been rewarded and at the same time the trust of the Society of Jesus in him is manifest through it.   

Anybody from young people to intellectuals, from young scholastics to senior professors everyone has felt at ease in his presence and his youthful looks add as an incentive. Fr Rocha will surely be missed in the JDV campus as well in DNC. Truly he is a Man for All Seasons!