Cherishing
our Co-pilgrims, as the move on…
It
would be hard not to remember the wonderful student days of Deacons Binu, Aji
(John Cyril) and Alexander, as they move on to a new phase of their life, with
a sweet smile and nostalgic memories that promenade the corridors, chapels,
gardens etc. As the
saying goes life never comes back, those were the days which benefited many
who came across the warmth and love, success and failures of these three
companions of St. Francis. It would be an uphill task to pen the memories and
our wishes to the three separately, so I would wish to make it together as they
were and are in their journey.
To
begin with their physical stature, they are in proportion when Alexander comes
in between the two, the same goes with their age too –the tallest is the
youngest. However, when it comes to the fervor in which things are executed I
believe Alexander takes precedence with his dexterity in many fields, be it
chapel where he could lead you into prayer with all his spiritual dilution; his
keen aesthetical perception of the proportions; sense of holiness; and more
over his commitment to the same. However, when it comes to the field of music,
we have the two other companions helping him out with their skills of singing (Aji)
and on the keys of piano (Binu). That’s the reason I can't dissect them in
identifying before you their skills. The triune bond that they had from their
student days complemented each other in their difficulties and put them at ease
during their happy moments. The youngest of them all -tall, mighty and athletic
Aji aka john Cyril, believes in procrastinating things which to the surprise of
all bring out the much better of his talents. Creativity comes in spontaneity,
this works well with Aji whose talent in music also makes the icing on the
cake. Ask him for an idea, it comes at the drop of a hat. Ask him for a help,
he bits more than he could chew. Ask him to accompany for a mile, you will feel
satiated (fed up) by his company. Finally, don’t ask him to sing, ‘cause he
does it always. To make the story short, it would be better to write on Binu,
the eldest in age; and youngest in wisdom. He is so systematic, that it is
difficult to decipher his ways. He is so genuine, that we find difficult to
entrust him a work, since he becomes the work. He is so loving, that the bond among
the three speaks volumes. He is so child-like, the young and the old love
spending hours with him. He is so dedicated, often he forgets himself; A
talented keyboardist, he brings harmony not only to the songs but also to the
community where he belongs (not to mention anywhere he goes).
On
this pages of Echo we, the Prem Jyoti Custody wishes our ‘to be priest’ or the
‘on-going’ deacons the very best in their ventures, as they move from one phase
to the other in their life. It is difficult to picture them with these few
words, but their days as students and anyone who came across them or
encountered them would never ever forget their influence and charisma in
fostering relations and spreading the fragrance of Francis to all. On a lighter
note, I found many of our common friends on a frugal budget, I enquired
is it because of the demonetization, No! Came the reply, ‘we are imitating the
Capuchins –Binu and Co’. I was caught by surprise, not because of the influence
of Binu and Co. but rather they didn’t identify me as a Capuchin!
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