An Australian institute recognises Fr Felix Raj for his contribution to education. The priest is vice chancellor of St Xavier's University. For him, education is transformative. When Mother Teresa met young people, “she had a message of love for them.”
Mumbai (AsiaNews) – Catholic schools in India inspired by Mother Teresa's humanity “are a temple of knowledge and wisdom,” said Fr Felix Raj, speaking to AsiaNews.
For his work in the field of education, the Australian-based Institute of Certified Management Accountants (ICMA) on Monday gave an award to the Jesuit priest, who is Vice Chancellor of St Xavier’s University (Kolkata), which he accepted “on behalf of the Xavier family”, noting that “I am just one of many who deserve it”.
Fr Raj is now in the ICMA Hall of Fame “in recognition of his outstanding contribution and life-time achievements in the field of education and management” and for his services to the profession in India. Fr Raj is the first Indian to receive the award.
Explaining what he does, he said that “To make education transformative, we need to introduce a right blend of theory and practice.” With this in mind, “We organise seminars and conference with this purpose”.
In fact, “Exposure to industries, business houses and villages make our education relevant. We emphasise academia-industry interface, internships and village exposures. “Thus far, the work “has been successful. Our students respond well.”
Speaking about Mother Teresa, he stressed his close association with the saint. On many occasions, I had brought her in touch with the youth of Calcutta (now Kolkata). She was there with her characteristic smile, exemplary humility and a penetrating presence that created an atmosphere of prayer and veneration. She was always inspiring and every time she met the youth, she had a message of love for them.”
“Thirty years ago, I had gone to Mother House to celebrate the Holy Eucharist for all her Sisters. Mother met me in the sacristy with a broad and radiating smile. She gently kissed my hands and knelt down for my blessings. I was nervous and said, ‘Mother, who I am to bless you! Instead you must bless me.’”
“She looked at me with a gentle smile and said, ‘You are a priest, a newly ordained priest, a representative of Christ, and so I humbly seek your blessings.’ I blessed her abundantly, and quickly knelt down and sought her blessings. It was an unforgettable and a transformative moment of my life.”
“When I think of Mother Teresa, the image that I have of her is the universal Mother like the goddess Durga for the cultural connotation of the people of Calcutta. Undoubtedly, Calcutta made her first Mother Teresa and then Saint Teresa.”
“She performed the mission of destroying the evil of poverty and inhumanity that does away with life and propagated peace of thought and purity of act. The permeating concord of human solidarity that spread across Mother’s missionary journey of charity removed the emotional distance between people. Indeed, she healed our [human] race.”