Bro. Pascoal’s acquaintance with the Blessed Sacrament Community began and his interest grew as he passed the Chapel daily on his way to work at the MES, Colaba. He would drop in for a visit now and then and that’s when he heard that still little voice beckoning him to “come, follow Me.” Hampered by faltering English and his natural shyness, Pascoal nevertheless completed his novitiate training and made profession in the early seventies. He soon found his niche in the community as the handyman versatile as he was in plumbing, electrical work, welding and other odd jobs that need attention in any home.

Quiet and soft-spoken yet committed to his religious duties, Pascoal mostly did behind-the-scene jobs as in the sacristy, especially after Bro. Alexander left for Australia. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian Brother to be appointed as Superior of the Community at Colaba in the late 80s - and he held this post until others were ready to take on the responsibility. Having learnt the violin at an early age, he was encouraged to try his hand at the organ and soon he assisted Fr. McKenna in the Choir, especially on Sundays. When new SSS communities began to mushroom, Pascoal was often the anchor as at Siolim, Goa and later Agashi. He could be relied upon to keep things moving, especially when younger priests were out for ministry. Faithful almost mechanically in his daily routine, his weekly ‘day-off’ and annual holidays are sacred and cannot be exchanged for anything in the world. That’s when he could be heard scratching away at his violin, or enjoying classical music on his tape-recorder. Shy and withdrawn almost to a fault, he rarely engages in direct apostolate either in the Chapel or through visiting people, yet his opinions on most matters would be fairly up-to-date. When he does warm up to a person, he can be very free and friendly. In recent years, failing health has slowed him down considerably, yet he can be seen pottering about the Sacristy attending to his responsibilities with dogged fidelity.

Bro. Pascoal is the kind of person of whom we could envisage the Lord saying: ‘Come, good and faithful servant, receive the reward prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’

Bro. Pascoal may be contacted at: