Brother Cassian Pappu FSC

1927-2009

by
Br Vincent Corkery fsc
La Salle Centre
St Michael’s Institution
30000 Ipoh, Malaysia
June 2010

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 Cover Design: Br Matthew Bay fsc

Acknowledgements
Brothers Thomas Lavin, Matthew Liew, Harold Reynolds,
Ms Irene Tan, Hilary D’Cruz, Sisters Monica Newman
& Mary Louise Byrne, Br Antony Samy, Pearl Schumacher,
Ms Flora O.Go, Aaron Nicholas
 Brother Cassian Pappu FSC
1927-2009
Brother Cassian comes from Taiping in Perak where he was born 20 January 1927 into a
family of five, he being the youngest of three boys. His father Sinnapan Pappu worked on
the railways as a train driver. His mother was Anamal John. At baptism at St Louis’
Church he was named Paul Sebastian Arockiasamy. Growing up in Taiping was a special
experience. This charming town with its uniquely beautiful natural setting was among the
earliest to develop in the state of Perak following the 19th Century tin rush. It was still the
state capital, the centre of state government. Cassian remembered the lovely hills and the
millions of bats emerging at sundown. Later the liberal use of chemicals in farming would
decimate their numbers.
The family had close contacts with the Brothers at St George’s and with the Infant Jesus
Convent. So it was inevitable that he had his early schooling at St George’s Institution. His
education was interrupted by the war years. He was 14 when the Japanese forces occupied
Taiping. He retained vivid memories of those dreadful days and we find the following
among his memoirs:
I was then just a teenager in Taiping. I remember that as students we were brought
to see an exhibition where instruments of war were displayed and how the British
were prepared for any invasion by an outside military force. Meanwhile, volunteers
were being recruited and trained to serve as Air-Raid Wardens (ARP’s). During the
practices they were seen wearing gas-masks and donning steel helmets and arm
bands with the initials ARP.
The ARP’s were given lessons how they were to dispose of unexploded bombs in
the case of an enemy bombardment. Looking back at the preparations for an
‘impending’ war, the preparations to defend the country were very unrealistic and
simplistic. However, such ‘preparedness’ gave the much needed confidence that
there was nothing to fear. Hence, the people went about their business without
paying much attention to war preparations. The British were confident that they
were prepared to meet any form of military aggression from outside.
The Convent School next to the Parish Church in Kota was closed and converted
into a Military Hospital and the Nuns and the students were moved to their former
Convent buildings in Klian Pau. We also saw the building of army barracks on
available grounds close to the former Convent. The families living close to the
Convent were ordered out to other areas or to ‘new’ homes assigned by the army.
My family was one of those affected by this move. We were housed in a bungalow
not too far from the Military Hospital.
It was rumoured at that time that after their successful conquest of China and
neighbouring countries like Vietnam, the Japanese had set their eyes on conquering
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the rest of South East Asia. The British who knew the intentions of the Japanese
were quite content and complacent that the Japanese would not be able to breach the
defences in Malaya and especially those of Singapore. The local newspapers printed
maps of the country and circled areas which had been so strongly fortified that those
areas could not be penetrated by any enemy force.
The Invasion
The Japanese had planned a two-pronged attack - one was directed to Thailand and
the other to Malaya. Japanese troops landed in Signora, Thailand 8 December 1941
and brushed aside the feeble defences of that country. Unable to defend itself against
a well prepared and powerful advancing army, Thailand made a pact with the enemy
troops giving them complete freedom of movement about in the country. This
arrangement permitted the Japanese easy access to the common Malayan-Thai
border from where the Japanese entered the northern States of Perak and Kedah.
Meanwhile, Japanese battleships and landing crafts from the Gulf of Tonkin braved
the monsoon rains and hit the beaches of Kota Baru, the north East Coast State of
Kelantan.
Battle Fronts
It was on the night of 7 December 1941 that Japanese warships and transport ships
carrying some 5,000 soldiers headed towards Kota Baru. Just around midnight on 8
December the Japanese landed on the beaches of Kelantan. Thousands of British and
Australian troops which were positioned along the beach put up strong resistance
against the advancing troops. Unfortunately, the British were not able to resist the
onslaught of the Japanese and thousands of British troops were killed on the beaches
of Kota Baru. The casualties on the Japanese side were equally high and ran into
thousands. At the face of the aggressive and determined advancing enemy forces the
British troops had no choice but to retreat from the beaches of Kota Baru.
Meanwhile, the Japanese troops from Thailand found strong resistance from British
troops in north Perak. One of the bloodiest battles was fought in Jitra where the
battle raged for two days. There were numberless casualties among the British
troops which were made up of English, Ghurkha, Indian, Australian and Malayan
forces.
The British troops made a tactical retreat southward to set up another battle front in
Trolah-Slim in Perak. The British were totally convinced that the Japanese would
not be able to break through the well fortified defences in central Perak. The
Japanese who knew the terrain of the country better than the British, often surprised
the British troops by wading through swamps and crocodile-infested waters to attack
British troops in small groups of eight or ten. The British were no match against the
invaders and once again they retreated to the south.
The invasion of Kota Baru corresponded to the time of the bombing of Pearl
Harbour also on 8 December 1941.
There was more disturbing news! The MHS Prince of Wales and the MHS Repulse,
the two British warships which were commissioned to the East to defend Malaya
and Singapore had been sunk by the Japanese on 10 December in the South China
Sea and the entire crew was reported to have perished. With the sinking of the two
battleships, which were billed as unsinkable, together with news of the retreating
British troops soon gave way to panic and the fear among the people. The fear that
the country would fall into the hands of the Japanese became more and more real as
days went by.
War comes closer to home
Following the battles in the north, wounded British soldiers were brought by rail and
road to the former Convent in Taiping that had been converted into a Military
Hospital. This was when the people began to realize the seriousness of the invasion
by the Japanese.
The frequent wailing of the air-raid sirens during the day began to tell that
advancing Japanese troops may not be far away from where we lived. People were
advised to evacuate from their homes in the town and seek places in the country
side. They were also advised to bring along only the basic necessities with them.
Luckily, my parents had some good friends in the country some three miles away
from Taiping who were happy to welcome us.
Taiping was not spared. Japanese warplanes made a number of sorties in the days
following the battle in Jitra. By now we had become quite accustomed to hearing the
wailing of the sirens. Then one day the sirens began to wail over and over again
warning the people of an impending air raid. Then around 2.00 p.m. we heard the
sound of approaching planes. Then all of a sudden we heard the frightening sounds
of the explosion of bombs in the direction of the town. Not knowing what to do
during the bombardment we fell to the ground with fear. By now we were screaming
with fear and calling out for each other –parents looking for their children and
children looking for their loved ones. Then someone shouted that we should cover
our mouths and noses with wet cloth to prevent inhaling dangerous gases.
The Japanese had the mastery of the sky! Their planes flew all over the sky and
dropped bombs everywhere. They targeted army positions, military barracks and the
buildings in the town. Responding to the bombing the British troops fired at the
invading planes with small arms and anti-aircraft guns. The planes came in droves
and did as much damage as they could to life and property. Then finally, we heard
the all clear signal and we rose from the ground to witness the billowing black
smoke covering the sky in the direction of the town.
We saw more bombardments during the following days. The sirens had gone silent
and there were no more warnings. The ARP wardens and the members of the
Department of Civil Defence as well as the Volunteer Forces had been disbanded.
Expecting the worst, we dug trenches and covered them with branches of coconut
trees. These were our air-raid shelters. From under the cover of the coconut leaves
we could hear the bombing and machine gun fire.

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We as teenagers were assigned to the job of scanning approaching enemy aircraft.
We were eyes and ears! On hearing the sound of planes we gave the signal and
everyone rushed to the trenches. Those who had been working in the kitchen put out
the fire and left the partly cooked food on the stove and rushed for cover. Although
we screamed at every explosion of bombs or the firing of the machine gun, we
generally felt safe in the trenches. We also found comfort in saying the rosary aloud.
When the planes finally left the sky we emerged from our shelters and thanked God
that we were still alive and well.
After a number of days of bombardment the anti-aircraft guns fell silent indicating
that the British troops were moving south, not before blowing up the bridges and
railway lines and other public installations to prevent them from falling into the
hands of the enemy.
Japanese Soldiers
For a couple of days there was no bombardment although the warplanes made their
regular sorties. The people began to feel that the worst was over. By then the British
troops had already moved south taking with them the wounded soldiers – victims of
the war. The Military Hospital was cleared and the army camps were left in total
disarray. Meanwhile, people began to come out of their hiding and started to loot
shops and even houses of those who had earlier evacuated who had left town for
safety reasons. Our house was also broken into and looted.
There was no doubt that the Japanese had done long term planning for the invasion
of Malaya. While posing as photographers, dentists and artists, the Japanese who
lived in Malaya for years prior to the invasion, had the country well mapped out.
This was indeed a great help for the invading forces. The British who had expected
the Japanese army to pass through main roads and conventional routes had set up
strong defences at strategic locations to meet the enemy. The Japanese who knew
the terrain of the country well fooled the British by sending their advancing troops
on bicycles and bypassed British defences and attacked them from behind the lines.
First Encounter
One evening while we were at play we noticed soldiers in battle gear passing by
riding on bicycles along the narrow country path. We immediately recognized them
as Japanese soldiers. The soldiers wore green camouflaged uniforms and had
branches of leaves attached to their helmets, which merged well with the jungle
surrounding. They also wore rubber boots which had cleft toe-caps, which allowed
them to climb trees without problem from where they could have a bird’s eye view
of the movement of British troops.
Not knowing what to do or say when we faced the Japanese soldiers, we stood still
and said nothing. To our surprise the soldiers raised their hand in an army style
salute as they passed by.
A few days later the two Japanese Officers came by the village where we were.
They were accompanied by three local men. The Officers did not carry any arms,
but carried the ‘samurai’ swords with them. One of them had drawn his sword and
was literally playing with it while the other spoke to us through the interpreters
asking us if we knew anyone around who possessed a gun.
By now a small group had already gathered to see what was in store for us.
Meanwhile another soldier and a few informants were seen coming with a local
hunter bringing along his shot gun.
While one of the Officers was questioning through the interpreter about the gun, the
other Officer suddenly pounced on the hunter and started beating him. He threw the
hunter to the ground, picked him up and threw him again and again while hitting
him with his fist. Seeing her husband being so pitilessly beaten by the Japanese, the
hunter’s wife fell at the feet of the first Officer and pleaded with tears to spare her
husband since he had done nothing wrong. By then the hunter had been seriously
wounded and was unable to get up from the ground where he lay. The soldier and
the interpreters then dragged the poor hunter and forced him into the vehicle which
had been parked close by. We never saw the hunter again!
The Occupation
The Japanese continued their advance southward. The British troops put up some
resistance at a number of places while retreating towards Singapore. The Japanese
wasted no time convincing the people that they meant business. In order to put fear
among the people they beheaded some people and placed their frightening heads at
street corners and at the entrances to the market. Horror stories were also in
circulation about the arrest of people who under mere suspicion and they had them
beheaded. A reign of terror had just begun. The beheading continued throughout the
Occupation.
La Salle Brothers
The La Salle Brothers who were holidaying on Maxwell Hills before the arrival of
the Japanese troops to Taiping were rudely awakened on New Year’s Eve 1942.
They were arrested, their hands were bound behind their back and they were
escorted downhill in the dark. The Brothers and a few others who were brought
down from Maxwell Hills were assembled at the field of King Edward Vll School.
Here the Brothers witnessed the gruesome beheading of a number of Chinese
victims. The Brothers felt that they were in for the same treatment, when by an act
of Divine Providence the Brothers were spared and instead were taken to the prison.
Having lost all their worldly possessions, the Brothers, when released from prison
were given a mattress, a blanket and a pillow each to restart their life. It was at this
time that some Catholic families came to the assistance of the Brothers by providing
them with food. In spite of our limited resources my parents also assisted the
Brothers with food on a regular basis until the Brothers were able to fend for
themselves.
The Brothers did their part in raising whatever money they could through giving
private tuition. They also ventured into the jungle to cut down forest trees and
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packed small bundles for sale as firewood. This was hard work for those who had
not been accustomed to this form of labour. It was a matter of survival!
Scarcity of Food
Even after life became regulated during the Occupation food was always in short
supply. Rice, the staple food, was scarce. The Japanese encouraged the people to
grow their own vegetables. Alternative forms of food was the order of the day, such
as tapioca, sweet potatoes. People were willing to experiment with all kinds of
edible greens as food supplements. The people were issued with ration cards for the
purchase of rice and some essential food items at designated shops. Adults were
given 4.8 kg. of rice per month and the child received an allocation of 2.4 kg. Other
controlled items included sugar, salt, oil and bread. As a result of malnutrition many
suffered from beri-beri and other diseases. Malaria was a common ailment and large
numbers of people suffered from this common sickness which sapped all energy and
made the sufferer weak. Medicine was in short supply. Hospitals were overcrowded
and understaffed.
Japanese currency notes, generally known as “Banana Notes”, replaced Malayan
Dollars. It was common knowledge that the Banana notes were not supported by the
Bank and therefore had no international value.
Easter Sunday
It was just before dawn when Japanese soldiers started to pound on the doors of
houses with the butt of their rifles to wake up the sleeping occupants. After checking
that no one was left behind in the house, the soldiers marched the people to nearby
fields and open places. This exercise was conducted throughout the country on
Easter Sunday of 1942. The people who had been rounded up were mostly in their
night clothes. One can imagine what transpired in the minds of people and the fear
of what may befall them at the hands of the cruel Japanese.
Hours passed as we stood there under the merciless sun in the open field on a sunny
day. The soldiers stood guard with fixed bayonets around the field where we were
assembled to prevent anyone from escaping. Meanwhile, we also noticed that some
soldiers mingled among the people and picked up some for investigation. The
selected ones were moved to a nearby building for questioning. We were not sure
whether these people were finally released or whether they suffered the fate of
hundreds of others who were beheaded.
We heaved a sigh of relief when around three in the afternoon we were allowed to
return home.
Japanese Classes
The Japanese set up centers for the learning of Nippon Go (Japanese Language).
The lessons were free and given mostly by soldiers. Many of my friends followed
these lessons. Soon, the former English medium schools were converted to Japanese
schools and regular lessons were given in that language. Somehow, I stayed away
from these schools, although I was able to pick up some very simple Japanese words
and phrases from those who attended school. I was particularly attracted by Japanese
songs.
Those who attended classes and passed the tests were amply rewarded with extra
rations of rice and cigarettes to supplement the family income. Intensive lessons
were given to those willing to become teachers of Japanese. The courses began with
the phonetic script known as Katakana used mostly for foreign words. This was
followed by a cursive style of writing known as Heragana, having the same phonetic
sounds and used for Japanese language. The more complicated script was Kanji, the
Chinese characters which the Japanese had modified for their use.
Kitchen Hand
Getting a job under the Japanese was not difficult, especially for teenagers like me.
My brother found a job with the post and telegraph office in Taiping. I worked at an
army camp and helped in the kitchen. The work was not demanding, but the returns
were good. At a time when food was scarce and people had to live on one meal a
day, often eating tapioca and sweet potatoes, I had the luxury of having three meals
of rice a day and also received a weekly salary and the usual incentives of rice and
packs of cigarettes. These Japanese cigarettes fetched handsome prices in the black
market. On occasion, I served at the Officers’ Mess mostly clearing the tables. I
particularly liked one of the Officers who was in charge of the kitchen. He was a
Christian. Occasionally, he would sit with us (workers) in the kitchen and would tell
stories and sing hymns. Although I had no formal schooling in the Japanese
language, I could gather much of what he was telling us.
The soldier who ran the kitchen was strict and we didn’t quite like him. He was
demanding and often yelled at us. The Japanese meals consisted of rice, soup,
vegetables, fish or meat. Sashumi (fresh fish), the Japanese delicacy, was served
only on very special occasions.
Resistance Movement
An underground resistance movement against the Japanese began to surface during
the War years. The Malaysian People’s Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) was led by
the Communist Party of Malaya. Although the British were not for communism,
they supported this movement as they recognized the value of the MPAJA and
trained them in the use of arms and skills of sabotage against the Japanese.
August 15 1945 marked the end of World War II in East Asia with the surrender of
the Japanese following the dropping of the Atomic bombs in Hiroshima and
Nagasaki. Soon we saw British troops returning to the joy of the people. Dissatisfied
with the continuing role of the British in Malaya, the Communist Party of Malaya
(CPM) began its efforts to de-stabilise the country by the use of force. The killing of
British planters in the estates finally triggered an all out war against the Communists
and a national Emergency was declared. There were incidents of derailments caused
by the members of the CPM and other acts of violence that caused the loss of life.
End of Hostilities
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 The British did not waste time in getting the country into good working order. My
father who was a pensioner prior and who had been deprived of his pension during
the Occupation began to receive his monthly pension. He was also paid arrears for
the years he did not receive his pension. This was paid out by instalments.
On receiving his first pension at the hands of the British Military Administration my
father dispatched my brother and me to the local market to buy something special to
celebrate the occasion. Inexperienced as we were we could not decide as to what the
family would appreciate for a good meal. On seeing two turkeys that were on sale
we bought them and took them home. We relished the first good meal of turkey
after having been deprived of good food for years during the Japanese Occupation.
Soon the English medium schools were reopened and I was back in the classroom
once again to complete my secondary education.
He does not mention the important role played by his father working on the railways and
commuting regularly between Penang and Taiping, in assisting communication with Penang
headquarters for the La Salle Brothers and IJ Sisters in Taiping, often delivering parcels and
other items at a time when such communication had become difficult, even dangerous.
Back in school at St George’s it took some time for the school to return to full working
order. The building had been taken over by the Japanese and used for different purposes,
finally as an officers’ hotel. Br Denis Hyland resumed his role as director and the teachers
reported promptly for duty, together with a gifted team of Brothers, all determined to get the
school under way without delay. St George’s was the first in town to begin functioning.
When the students from the rival Methodist school came seeking admission, Br Denis
accepted them all thus effectively shutting down the Methodist school. In those pre-
ecumenical days, this gave Br Denis high delight.
Cassian was now 19 and was admitted to standard seven, the equivalent to form three. Like
most of his companions he was overage, and this made for greater maturity. There was
much catching up and by 1948 he passed the Cambridge School Certificate Examination,
the highest level examination at this time, which was a jumping off point for teacher
training and university, as well as for a wide choice of employment in the private sector.
There was eagerness to learn as can be gauged from the fact that in 1947 26 passed out of
33, with 13 obtaining Grade 1. A total of 13 went on to become teachers while 2 were
admitted to the Medical College and 3 to Raffles College.
On Becoming a La Salle Brother
Br Cassian writes: At the end of the Japanese Occupation when St. George's Institution
reopened, I enrolled in the school to complete my studies under the Brothers. My daily
contact with them slowly began to attract my interest in their way of life. The prospect of a
life-long commitment as a Brother (which meant the loss of freedom and independence)
didn't however quite appeal to me. But after more than a year of ‘soul-searching', and with
encouragement from my father, 1 finally joined the Brothers in 1950 - a decision I never
regretted.
In January 1950 he joined the recently opened Brothers’ novitiate at St Joseph’s Training
College in Pulau Tikus, Penang. Two years later he joined the scholasticate programme and
obtained his teacher’s certificate, following which he was posted to teach at St Xavier’s
Institution in Penang. At the same time he registered for the normal classes and obtained
the Normal Class Teaching Certificate from the Ministry of Education.
St Xavier’s Institution
As a young Brother apart from being a Form Teacher, he was also given other
responsibilities which included school photographer and the one who screened movies
during weekends for the students. Being a house master he had to attend regular practices
for sports and games. He enjoyed being a member of the school orchestra as well as the
"stand~in" organist at the Cathedral next door. Sometimes he found that even the waking
hours didn't seem to be long enough to attend to all these duties, although he woke up at
4.30 in the morning with the other Brothers. St Xavier’s had a large community of Brothers
at that time and the daily routine was demanding. Weekends they were able to take their
work up Penang Hill secure from the heat and noise in the town below. Br Harold Reynolds
recalls those years: Bro Cassian was “the young Brother with the camera” when their paths
first crossed in SXI way back in 1952. At any school or Brothers’ gathering, there he was,
snapping away with expertise and enthusiasm.
Posting to India
All these activities came to an abrupt end with his posting to India at the beginning of 1962.
He describes the challenging experience in some detail:
One evening in October 1961 1 was asked to see Bro. Fintan Blake, Provincial
Visitor of the Brothers. I met him in his office in Pulau Tikus and he told me I was
being considered to be a member of a pioneering community in India to work for
homeless and destitute children.
My imagination began to run wild and I began to visualise the kind of life I would
lead in India! After the initial "shock" had passed I was able to give a reply. Bro.
Fintan had allowed me some time to consider the offer. "I am to be a missionary in
India - the land of my forefathers! Why not give it a try", I thought! Of course, I
wouldn't be a photographer, a musician, a cinema man, a form teacher or house
master in India. Of course, I'd miss my friends, my hobbies and my life style would
radically change. Such thoughts began to cloud my mind and yet a certain joy began
to well up too. 1 felt happy at the prospect of being a pioneer and a missionary!
Moments passed, they seemed like hours and then I gave my reply. 'tBro. Visitor, I
accept the transfer to work in Madurai, India!"
On returning to the community the Brothers were keen to know what had transpired
at the meeting with the Visitor. Was I going to be transferred? The Brothers had no
inkling that I was to become a missionary/social worker in India. But when I told
them what had transpired between me and Brother Fintan, they recalled that the La
Salles had been in India about a hundred years earlier. Unfortunately, due to many
factors beyond their control the mission venture at that time failed. The Brothers
then turned their attention to Sri Lanka (Ceylon) where they were very successful in
11
establishing schools. The abandoning of the schools in India had always remained as
a sore point in the history of the Brothers. In contrast to conducting schools as they
had a century previously, the Boys' Town project was intended to serve the poor and
the marginalised. Would the new venture succeed? That was to be seen!
Sri Lanka Connection
A renewed attempt to set up La Sallian foundations in India was made by the
Brothers of Sri Lanka in 1961. After years of negotiations between the Brothers and
the Archbishop of Madurai, an agreement was reached and, with the approval of the
Brother Superior General and his Council, the Brothers’ first community began with
just two Brothers - Bro. Alban Patrick, a retired Principal from Sri Lanka and Bro.
Joseph Homan from the London District who had volunteered to serve in the District
of Sri Lanka. They were the first two Brothers to arrive at the St. Pius X Boys' Town
in Madurai in late 1961. In early February I joined them. The arrival of an elderly
Bro. Francis of Paula from Sri Lanka at the age of 80 increased the pioneering
community at the Boys' Town to four Brothers
Before being posted to the Boys' Town after his retirement, Bro. Alban, who had a
"distinguished career as Director and Principal" in several Brothers' schools in Sri
Lanka was made the Superior of the newly formed community.
India! Here I come!
Months passed and India was very much on my mind. Meanwhile the Brother
Visitor of Sri Lanka sent me a list of things to bring along with me to India. Among
the more notable ones was a request to bring a double-barrelled shot gun and a radio
that would work on a car battery for the Boys' Town where I was expected to serve.
Getting a certificate to export a double-barrelled shot-gun from the Penang Police
went without a hitch. However, bringing a shot-gun into India gave me endless
trouble!
The day finally dawned when I had to leave the shores of Penang. I boarded
"Cathay", a P. & 0 cruise ship, with my precious cargo of a gun, the radio and other
personal effects. I shared a cabin with an Indian gentleman. The four day cruise was
most interesting. On the first evening on board ship, there were crowds and crowds
of people on deck. During the first meal I noticed that we were being served by
English waiters. I really felt that I was a VIP at that moment.
Being served by an English waiter was not a common sight in Malaysia in those
days. Malaysia had just received its independence some four years earlier~ English
administrators and businessmen were still around. The idea that they were the
colonialists was still in the mind. But to have English waiters serving you at all the
meals was something very novel for me at that time!
I really enjoyed the cruise and spent much time on deck. I also noticed that after the
first evening of our departure from Penang, the number of people on deck dwindled
day by day. Even those whom I befriended slowly disappeared from the decks... as
they spent more time in their cabins. They ate and slept in their cabins. All these
people suffered from sea-sickness - a regular feature with sea travellers. Except for
some discomfort that I experienced on some occasions I relished the few days travel
in a luxury liner.

Colombo
The ship anchored in the "roads" and we were transferred to the terminal building
for immigration and baggage clearance. A Brother Patrick, whom I had known
earlier in Penang came on board the ship to welcome me. We had to make a decision
whether to bring the shot-gun and the radio with us or leave them with the customs
until I left the country. We hit on the plan of leaving these items at the customs
storage and picking them up when I finally left Colombo for India.
The two weeks I spent in Colombo were very exciting. I was treated marvellously
by the Brothers and visited most to the Brothers' communities and schools in and
around Colombo. I enjoyed, too, the cool climate of Batuela and visited the famous
Buddhist Temple in Kandy and the Parathenia Gardens. All in all it was a
worthwhile holiday for someone who had spent seven years in the classroom.
Mannar
It was now time for me to leave Colombo. I travelled by train to the town of Mannar
where the Brothers had a school. I picked up my luggage, the shot-gun and the radio,
from the customs and arrived in Mannar where I spent a couple of days
Bro.Hilary was the Director of the small community of four. Unlike the schools in
Colombo, where the language of instruction was Singhalese, the schools in Mannar
and the northern territories of Sri Lanka used Tamil. Political tensions already
existed in those days between the majority Singhalese and the minority Tamils. At
the end of my stay in Mannar I boarded the boat train for Talaimmanar still holding
on to my precious cargo - the shot gun and the radio. The captain of the vessel, who
noticed that I was a religious, invited me to the captain's deck for the duration of the
crossing of the narrow straits that separate Sri Lanka from South India. That was
really a very kind act in contrast to the treatment that I was to face with the
Immigration and Customs Officers at the "southern gateway" to India - Dhanaskodi.

Dhanaskodi
Dhanaskodi on Pamban Island was served by rail from Manamadurai on the Indian
mainland. This was the only connection between the mainland and Pamban island.
There was much trade between Sri Lanka and India in those days, and Dhasnaskodi
was the entry point from the north of Sri Lanka to South lndia.
The customs shed consisted of a large metal roofed shed. The customs officers were
strict and demanding. I declared all my belongings including the shot gun, the radio.
13
Then came the ordeal.
After my passport was checked I was told that I couldn’t be considered as a
passenger in "transit" and so did not enjoy certain privileges that were reserved for
such passengers.. Since I 'seemed' to have 'overstayed' in Sri Lanka for more than
two weeks I was to be treated as "resident" and would need clearance from the
Director of the Collector of Customs in Madras for the import of the shot-gun and
the radio. These items, I was told, would also be released only after 1 had obtained
the necessary licenses from the authorities in Madras. No amount of explanation
would satisfy the customs officer.
The one and only link to Pamban lsland was by a railway bridge. According to my
schedule I was expected to travel by the boat-train from Dhanaskodi at 11.00 a.m.
and arrive at Manamadurai around 2.00pm to be met by my new Superior,
Bro.Alban Patrick.. Unfortunately, owing to the problems I faced with the Customs
officials, I had to miss the boat train. I also missed the second train which left
Dhanaskodi at 2.00 p.m. for the same reason. By then I was already exhausted and
frustrated over the delays at the Customs, I was thirsty and hungry. I looked around
for a restaurant. There was none within sight. My last meal was breakfast in Mannar
sometime around 6.00 a.m. The last train for Manamadurai was at 6.00 p.m. At least
I would be able to travel on that train and get away from the troublesome
misadventure I faced on Pamban Island.
Storm in a Coffee cup!
At a distance I spied a thatched shed where I hoped to find something to eat. As I
walked towards the hut I was greeted by a sari clad lady, an officer of some kind.
She addressed me, "Father". At last, I thought, I had found someone who was
sympathetic to me - the first sign of friendship on Indian soil. I told her my problems
and asked her to take me where I could break my "fast". She took me to a thatched
shed and asked for coffee and some Indian cakes.
Those who have been to Indian restaurants in Malaysia, would have noticed that tea
or coffee is served at boiling temperatures in aluminum tumblers with no handles.
With hardly any practice in handling a tumbler full of hot coffee I immediately
dropped the tumbler and the contents on the table. The cup went crashing to the
floor but thank God the contents did not spill on my white robe. I was really
humiliated as the customers at the restaurant turned their eyes at my incompetence
in handling a cup of coffee. I called for another cup of coffee and requested that it
should be cooled before handing it to me.
Refreshed by the coffee I returned to the railway station. The train had just arrived
from the mainland. Excitedly I carried by belongings (minus the shot-gun and the
radio) and boarded the train and settled down with a mighty sigh of relief, thinking
that my troubles were over for the day. As I was nicely settling down, I saw an
Indian railway officer entering the railway compartment. He told me in no uncertain
terms that the seat I was occupying was reserved for him and that I would have to
look for another place.
In normal times I would have asked the guard to find me a place in the train. But not
on the first day of my first entry to India after the kind of treatment I had been
subjected to. It was like piling insult on injury. I stood my ground and told the
officer that I was not prepared for a compromise. The officer studied my reaction
and accepted to move away and apologized for the inconveniences that I had been
put through during the course of the day.
Manamadurai
My future superior, Bro. Alban Patrick who had come all the way from Madurai
expected to see me in Manamadurai at around 2.00pm. The train arrived at the
scheduled time and left. Not seeing me on the train, he waited patiently for the next
train which was due to arrive at 5.00 p.m. I was not on that train either. He was told
that the last train would arrive at around 10.30 p.m. There was no way we could
travel to Madurai at that time of night, so he went to a nearby Catholic church to
find out whether there would be any accommodation for the night for the two of us..
The parish priest, who lived in the attic of the church was kind. Unfortunately, the
best he could offer was two collapsible canvas "beds' and had them laid out on the
open verandah of the church for our use.
Finally, I arrived by the last train around 10.30 p.m. exhausted from the stress and
strain of the day. Bro. Alban met me and I poured out my encounters of the day,
before we said "Good night" and retired in a true missionary spirit. There was a
basin of water, in case we needed to wash. There was however no sign of a toilet.
Soon, I fell asleep!
The next morning as I woke up I became aware of the sounds and smells of India! It
was also Ash Wednesday, the day ashes are imposed on the forehead as a sign of
repentance and the beginning of the season of Lent. Having received the ashes and
after a typical Indian breakfast of thosai we set out to Madurai, a three hour journey
by road to my final destination - the Pius X Boys' Town, where I was to spend three
of the five years I spent in India.
Madurai
The Boys' Town is situated 13 km from the city of Madurai, the second largest city
in Tamil Nadu. Madurai has also been the centre of Tamil culture, sponsoring
literature, art, music and dance over the centuries. The Meenachi Amman Temple
dominates the city, and is dedicated to both Goddess Meenachi and Lord Shiva.
Boys' Town
On our way to Boys' Town we crossed the Vaigai River which cuts across the city
from the northwest to the southwest. Access to the Boys' Town is by a dirt track
from the main road, towards the low lying barren rocky Nagamalai bills. We passed
through very fertile rice fields, coconut palms and banana plantations. On the left I
saw mostly women working with bare hands preparing bricks from the soft clay for
the nearby brick kiln. The road to the Boys' Town was bumpy with pot holes and
you got really shaken up. We crossed a small bridge and the scenery changed. The
15
fertile lands gave way to thorn bushes, cactus plants and stony infertile ground. By
now we had entered the grounds of the Boys' Town - a most uninviting piece of land
which stood in sharp contrast to the fertile land we had passed through earlier. The
barren rocky hills formed the back-drop while the cactus plants and thorny bushes
provided the props. The scene looked like a chapter taken from some good old Wild
Wild West movie!
We passed by four mud huts where the workers lived. Then we turned to the left and
then I saw a small garage and I was told that it was the Chapel and then a little
further was a thatched structure where some orphans lived. The Brothers residence,
in contrast to the mud huts, was a small neat single storey three roomed house with
an all purpose room.
There was some kind of reception for me in keeping with the environment of the
place. The few inmates who lived at the Boys' Town were happy that an additional
person had joined the "institution". I was glad that at long last I had arrived at my
final destination. When asked which room I was to occupy the Director was very
apologetic. He told me that there "was no room" yet for me and that they were about
to construct an additional room soon. Until such time I was to live in the all purpose
room which measured 12 feet by 10 feet and served as the office, the community
room, parlour, dining room, as well as my bed room.
The Director had already provided a collapsible canvas bed that stood against the
wall. I noticed that there was no running water. The nearby well supplied all our
water needs. The unfiltered water taken directly from the well was the only source
of our drinking water. Washing clothes and bathing were also common activities
around the well.
A thatched mud walled structure with a very low entrance and a couple of small
windows served as the main kitchen for the boys and the Brothers. Rice and
vegetables were served once a day. We had fish on certain days and some meat on
Sundays. For many of the morning and evening meals we depended on the "gifts" of
crushed wheat, milk powder (and on some occasions, cheese) that we received from
Catholic Charities of America.
The sudden change from the more comfortable life I had been accustomed to in
Penang began to tell on me. No wonder that after a couple of days at the Boys' Town
1 was down with a high fever. A few days after my recovery I planned to go to
Madras (Chennai) to get the clearance from the Collector of Madras for the shot gun
and the bulky radio that I had left behind with the customs in Dhanaskodi.
Madras (Chennai)
After a journey of twelve hours by train I arrived in Madras at day break at the
Egmore Railway Station. This was my first visit to the capital city of Madras State. I
had been given an address close to the Egmore Railway Station where I could get
help to get to the Collectors' Office of Madras or the Malayan High Commission.
Although I didn't get the needed information I was however advised to visit the
British Council in Madras which might provide the needed assistance.
I took a ride on an Auto, a three-wheeler motorised vehicle, to the British Council
which was situated on Mount Road, the main street of Madras. Here I got the
address of the Malayan High Commission which was situated at Gandhi Nager. I put
my full trust in the driver who accepted to take me to the Consulate of the Malayan
High Commission. My trust was not in vain. He was quite an honest man and he
brought me safely to the front door of the Malayan Consulate. At last I was able to
relate to someone the frustrations of my first few days in India. I really appreciated
the concern shown by the Second Secretary of the Consulate who even invited me to
join him for tea.
Loyola College
Again I was on my way to meet the Collector of Madras. This office was situated a
long way from where I was and I had to go there by another Auto again. By the time
I arrived it was close to noon and there was already a long queue waiting to see the
Collector. When my turn finally came, the Collector left his office for lunch. It was
going to be a long wait and I was prepared to wait, even if I had to sacrifice lunch. It
was at this point that a young Anglo-Indian lady from the office approached me and
asked me if I wanted to have some refreshments while I waited. She was extremely
kind and. told me that she would get me something from the canteen. I was very
grateful and offered to pay. She refused to accept any payment. Another gesture of
hospitality from a complete stranger! During our conversation she referred to Loyola
College where some Malayan students were studying. This place, she said, was not
all that far from the Collectors' Office. I kept this information in mind, just in case I
needed any assistance.
After an hour or so the Collector was back in his office and sent for me. I told him
my story and the reason I had to come to Madras. He understood my problem and
asked one of his officers to attend to me. Finally, a letter addressed to the Chief
Customs Officer in Dahnaskodi was handed to me, for clearance of my precious
cargo - the shotgun and the radio - awaiting me on Pamban Island.
Greatly relieved, happy and grateful that things had finally worked out well I walked
in the direction of the famous Loyola College of the Jesuits. In about thirty minutes I
passed through the main entrance of the College. To my amazement and total
surprise there stood one of the past students from St. Xavier's Institution, Penang.
He too was taken aback and equally happy to meet me. After the initial formalities
of meeting someone whom we did not expect to see, I was introduced to a number
of other Malaysian students who were also studying at Loyola. They even offered to
speak to the College authorities about staying with them for a few days. However,
when I told them that I was returning by the night train to Madurai, they persuaded
me to join them for a special meal which was on the menu for that evening.
Strangely, this was the first time that I tasted ice water since my arrival in India.
It was a great gathering. By now I had forgotten my problems. I enjoyed the meal.

17
We talked and laughed. The students began to relate the pranks they played on their
teachers when they were at St. Xavier's Institution, Penang. They spoke of teachers
they liked and those they disliked and recalled certain strange personal
characteristics of some of the teachers who had taught them. Everything had to come
to an end. The students accompanied me to the railway station to see me off. The
next morning I was back in Madurai Boys' Town.

At Long Last
After a few days rest at Boys' Town, I once again boarded the train for Dhanaskodi.
This was also a night long journey. On my arrival at Dhanaskodi I handed the
document from the Collector of Madras to the Customs' Officers. Things were quite
different and everything moved smoothly in contrast to my first experience. There
was no import tax for the articles and I was asked to pay just the storage fees. There
was no other problem. I collected the shot gun and the radio and was on my way
'home'. On arriving in Madurai, I surrendered the shot-gun to the Police and. was
told that the process of getting a license for the gun would take some time and that
they would inform me when to collect the gun.
After a month or so, we were informed that the licence was ready and that we could
collect the gun from the Station. No one in the community knew how to use a gun.
However, we bought some cartridges- a controlled item - and kept both the gun and
cartridges ready for use someday. There were nights when we'd hear the howling of
foxes coming from the neighbouring bush land. They were a threat to the chicken
farm. During the day we had to keep a close watch on kites which used to hover
over the chicken coops. From time to time they would swoop down and in a flash
pick up a stray chicken which had escaped from the coops. On these occasions we
wished that we had the shot gun in our hands. What prevented us from using the gun
was the cost of cartridges.
"Sharp Shooter"
During the fruit season when a number of flying foxes invaded the nearby mango
plantation (not part of the Boys' Town property), Brother Joseph and I decided to try
out the gun. Joseph aimed and fired and there was a big bang which broke the
silence of the night. He missed. He fired a second time but by then there were no
more flying foxes in the tree. Brother Alban who had heard the two bangs of the gun
greeted us when we returned to the house. Brother Alban looked disappointed that
we came back empty handed. He had expected us to bring in two flying foxes and
had already planned to have them for the meal next day. Since cartridges were
expensive we couldn't use the gun often as this was considered a waste of money
and. a luxury!
On another occasion we were able to shoot down a kite which had just picked up a
stray chicken. It was a good shot! We tied the unfortunate kite to a pole over the
chicken coops as a "warning" to other kites coming close. Some Hindus who passed
by and noticed the kite hanging from the pole were deeply disturbed. The Hindus
regard the kites as sacred. There were also some religious overtones over this
incident at not being sensitive to the Hindu faith and beliefs. On hearing this we took
down the kite and had it buried and forgot the whole matter.
Brother Cassian Appointed First La Salle Recruiter
On Christmas day, the Police Inspector from our District accompanied by a couple
of Police Constables made a surprise visit to the Boys' Town. Since we had no other
visitors on Christmas Day we were happy to see the Inspector and the other two with
him. At last someone had come to greet us for Christmas! The Inspector had another
reason for his visit. It was not to greet us for Christmas but to warn us that hanging
the kite as we did some time ago was not acceptable to the Hindus. Any further such
practices of this nature, he warned, would result in the removal of the shot gun from
the Boys’ Town.
The shot-gun which had given so many problems from the day it was brought to the
Boys' Town was finally sold to a hunter. That was the end of the episode of the shot
gun.
Fr. Visuvasem
Boys' Town was the brain-child of Fr. Visuvasem, a talented Indian priest of the
Archdiocese of Madurai. During his studies in Rome where he obtained a Doctorate
in Theology, Fr. Visuvasem began to be concerned about the plight of so many poor
and destitute youth living In India.
With the consent of the Archbishop of Madurai, Fr. Visuvasem left for the USA to
seek financial assistance for a project in favour of the poor and destitute. On his
return from the States, he began to plan the proposed Boys' Town. With the help of
friends he acquired pieces of land near the Nagamalai Hills and eventually he had an
extended piece of land measuring about one hundred and thirty acres. Of the one
hundred acres only about two acres were under rice cultivation and the rest of the
grounds were covered with cactus plants and thorn bushes. The soil was hard gravel
and rock - unsuited for cultivation.
There was a small spring which gushed out from the rocky Nagamalai Hill (Dragon
Hill). This spring supplied fresh water throughout the year and flowed through the
Boys' Town property. Adjoining the spring (Pulluthu or Grass Spring) there was a
tiny Hindu Shrine which attracted Hindu devotees who came to pray and perform
some Hindu rituals. Some others visited Pulluthu to enjoy a "bath" in the fresh clean
spring water. Some even claimed that the water had some medicinal qualities for
healthy living. The spring water had been tested and was found to have no harmful
elements.
Community Life
During one of his visits Brother Vincent Gottwald began to wonder whether a
"brown Robe" might be more suitable for Brothers working at Boys' Town than the
19
white Robe they normally wore. Accordingly, he had "brown" robes made in Sri
Lanka and had them sent to us for our use. The "brown" robes were reminiscent of
days gone by when the "Serving Brothers" were distinguished by the colour of the
robe they wore!
Brother Alban who was always seen in his robe, welcomed the idea of using a
"brown" robe. Brother Joseph and I on the other hand did not fancy the brown robe
at all. Soon the practice of wearing the brown robe disappeared, except in the case of
Brother Alban.
Community life was quite simple. Brought up under the "old" strict rule and strongly
bound by the 'coutumier' Brother Alban would not compromise on the time of rising
or the time for community prayers. Rising was at 5.00 a.m. every morning. On
waking up we fumbled around to get the hurricane lamp in our rooms and did the
needful before leaving for the chapel. The ritual was to walk with a hurricane lamp
in hand accompanied with our dogs to "shoo off' any snakes lurking around or coiled
up on the path way to the chapel.
Brother Joseph and I would have preferred a more acceptable time for morning
prayer and afternoon Vespers. Brother Alban having been an SO (strict observer of
the Rule) rather than a MO (mediocre observer) - expressions coined by Brother
Lawrence O'Toole during his earlier visits to Malaysia, continued the practice of
early rising and morning prayers and the recitation of the Vespers at 3.00 p.m. inside
the overheated chapel, where even the candles on the altar wilted under the heat of
the afternoon sun.
There wasn't much we could do after sunset. Brother Joseph used to sit down at his
typewriter to write appeal letters or answer letters that he had received. The
hurricane lamps did not however encourage much reading. We did some supervision
of the boys and encouraged them in their English lessons. On moonlit nights Brother
Joseph and I would take a walk down the dirt track and talk of our dreams for the
future of the Boys' Town.
Recruiter
The Brothers felt that without the recruitment and formation of local Indians the
future of the work of the Brothers would be in jeopardy and assigned me to the
important post of La Salle Recruiter in India. This was a top priority for the
Brothers! But how in the name of goodness one would begin recruiting for the
Brotherhood when the La Salle Brothers were not even known by the enlightened
clergy not to mention the ignorance of the laity!
In a country where the caste system features prominently at all levels of the social
structure and life (even among Catholics), the vocation of the Brother was regarded
somewhat as a "second choice" vocation fit for those who could not make it to the
priesthood. This was understandable since most Religious Orders in India had lay
Brothers who were generally considered only good for non-clerical jobs including
menial work such as gardening, cooking, washing dishes etc. in the monastery.
With my limited knowledge of Tamil and my inability to address any congregation
about the vocation of the Brother, I proceeded by advertising the work of the
Brothers in the Katholiku Sevai, a Catholic monthly published by the Archdiocese.
To make the advertisement more attractive I placed my own photograph taken with
the black robe and the distinguishing white ‘rabat’, and with the words "WANTED".
Soon there were some good responses.
My personal appearance - dressed in my black robe and with the distinctive white
“rabat” and the large map of the "Lasallian World" mounted on the wall may have
done the trick.
On one occasion when I stayed in the parish of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church
I was invited to attend a special High Mass in a nearby Convent belonging to the
same rite. The liturgy was Greek to me! The singing resembled Muslim chants and
the ritual was completely foreign.
After Mass the priest and. I were invited to a breakfast of steamed bananas and
Indian delights. At the end of breakfast when the priest and I were leaving the Rev.
Mother came with some gifts. She had with her a few handkerchiefs and a couple of
pillow cases and handed them to me. The Priest teasingly asked the Rev. Mother
why she had no gifts for him who had taken much trouble to come to say the Mass
for the good Sisters. The reply was quite simple. The Rev. Mother pointed to the
"bib" on my white robe and told the priest, " Father, please look at the poor Brother's
robe. He even has two patches right on the front of his white robe" (referring to my
"rabat") and asked why I shouldn't be given a small gift to make me happy? Quietly,
we had a good laugh over the Rev. Mother's observation and returned to the parish
house.
On another occasion when I was visiting parishes in the car belonging to the Boys'
Town, the bonnet of the car suddenly burst open and the steaming water from the
radiator shot up into the air. It was a question of overheating and happened on a
remote road. The driver and I stopped the car and jumped out for safety. Luckily
there was a small flowing stream close by. After waiting for some time to allow the
engine to cool off we slowly poured fresh water into the radiator. As the temperature
was still high in the radiator and the water started boiling right away. We continued
this operation for some time until the engine was cool enough to continue our
journey. By then night had set in.
Intending not to take any further risks we decided that we'd stay the night in a
village that we had passed earlier. This was a typical Indian village with hardly any
sort of accommodation for visitors. We asked if there was a Church. The people
directed us to one. On reaching the Church we saw the parish house and knocked at
the door. By then it was around 9.30 p.m. and all had gone to sleep. Lights came on.
The lady of the house opened the door. A few teenaged girls also showed up who
had just jumped out of bed, curious to know what was happening. They could have
been the lady's daughters, I thought. And suddenly I realised that I was at the home
of the pastor of the Church and not at a presbytery of a Catholic Church. I told the
21
lady that I was looking for a Catholic Church and we were given the direction we
needed. We arrived at the gates of the Church grounds and after sounding the horn
for some time a man came to open the gate to let us in. The parish priest who had
also gone to sleep woke up and welcomed us, gave us something to eat and a place
to sleep. After Mass the following morning we left the village and returned safely to
Boys’ Town.
Visit of the Brother Superior General
The Boys' Town was honoured by the visit of the Brother Nicet Joseph, Superior
General in 1962. He was accompanied by Brother Lawrence O'Toole, Assistant
General and Brother Vincent Gottwald, Visitor. Their visit was a source of
encouragement and a sign of appreciation for the work being done at Boys' Town.
There was hardly any fanfare to welcome the VIP visitors, except that they were
garlanded as it is customary among Indians during a very modest reception. That
was all that we could offer! Although the Superior was impressed with the future
plans for the Boys' Town, he, as well as Brother Lawrence O'Toole was rather
apprehensive about the success of the Boys' Town and the sub-normal conditions
under which the Brothers lived and worked.

Rooms for the Visitors

At the time of the visit of the Brother Superior there were just three small rooms
which were occupied by Brother Francis, Brother Joseph and me. The larger room
was occupied by Brother Alban, which also served as his office. We offered. the
large room to the Brother Superior. Two other rooms were assigned to Brother
Lawrence O'Toole and Brother Vincent Gottwald. The elderly Brother Francis was
allowed to keep his room. The rooms for the visitors were provided with a basin of
water, a hurricane lamp and a towel. After night fall when the visitors retired to their
rooms, the three of us found some place to sleep. Brother Alban slept on the all
purpose table which also served as the dining table. Brother Joseph and 1 found a
narrow veranda outside the room occupied by Brother Lawrence O'Toole. Here we
stretched ourselves on a sheet of cloth on the hard cement floor without the comfort
of even a mat or a pillow. Our two dogs slept close to us as if watching over us.
Accustomed to waking up early at 4.30 am. (according to the old Rule) and wanting
to be in the 'chapel' on time for meditation and morning prayer, Brother Lawrence
stepped out of his room with a hurricane lamp in his hand and almost stumbled over
the two lying forms on the floor. After a moment's hesitation he soon realised who
we were. We were not vagrants as he had initially thought - but Brothers! On
realising the situation and feeling rather embarrassed, Brother Lawrence turned
round and re-entered his room and stayed indoors until day break to join the
community in the chapel.
An event of some significance at the Boys' Town was the laying of a 'foundation
stone' by the Brother Superior General in an area designated for the future
development of the Boy's Town. This simple function was witnessed by those living
at the Boys' Town -- the Chaplain, the Brothers, the boys and workers. As expected
the Superiors also visited the Archbishop of Madurai to pay their respects. A casual
visit was also arranged to see famous Madurai Meenachiamal Temple in Madurai
City.

Misgivings
Speaking about the Boys' Town years later, Brother Lawrence O'Toole, had this to
say:" I eagerly longed for the opportunity to re-establish the Institute in that land
(India) so that it was with alacrity that in 1961, 1 welcomed the proposition of
Brother Vincent Joseph Gottwald to take over the direction of the Boys’ Town,
Nagamalai."
However, after seeing the problems and difficulties faced by the Brothers during his
visit to the Boys' Town with the Brother Superior, he began to doubt whether it was
a good decision to venture into India. "At one stage it looked as though we might
have to quit India again." However, he was happy that the Brothers persevered and
made a success of the venture.
Life at the Boys' Town - Initial Disappointments
Among those who replied to the recruiting advertisement there were those who
wanted to take advantage of joining the Brothers with hardly any basic qualifications
for the aspirancy programme. Thank God, there were also those who were genuinely
interested in becoming Brothers. Among them there were two promising young
men, one was a teacher and the other was a school clerk. Both had good credentials.
These two were sent to Penang for their Novitiate and we received excellent reports
about them for their maturity and commitment to their vocation..
On their return from Penang they were placed at Boys' Town while arrangements
were being made to send them to the States for further studies. Having completed
their degrees the two returned and found the life at the Boys' Town too austere
compared to the kind of life they had experienced in the States. After a few years
with us these two left the Brothers, (and possibly returned to the States for a better
life). This was indeed a bitter lesson for the Brothers and we began to question the
wisdom of sending young Indian Brothers abroad for studies.
"Vaugirard"
The recruits who joined us at Boys' Town were generally housed in a building which
we had completed to be used as a store. This building was located half way down
the property of the Boys' Town and lacked even the basic conveniences of life
except for a bed to sleep on. For prayers and meals they joined the Brothers. These
recruits were given regular English lessons and were initiated into the history of the
Institute. Whenever their services were needed on the farm they were most willing
23
to give a helping hand. After nightfall the recruits brought their hurricane lamps
with them leaving for and returning to Vaugirard to frighten the foxes and jackals
which started their nightly prowls after sun down.
Around this time Brother Thomas Xavier, aged 64, was posted to the Boys' Town. to
look after the aspirants. Brother Xavier, a native of Tuticorin (India) became a
Brother when studying at the Brothers' school and had spent his Religious life
entirely in Sri Lanka until his posting to India. Having worked with junior Novices
in Sri Lanka for a good part of his life he had no difficu4 in setting up a programme
for the recruits at "Vaugirard" with a view to preparing the youngsters for the
Novitiate which was to be set up in Tuticorin. Among them was Brother Arulsamy,
the present Principal of La Salle Ornella High School.
Brother Yesudasan Chinnappan
We were delighted to have an application from a mature and experienced teacher
with a university degree in science in the person of Yesudasen from Nagercoll. He
had taught in Goa before leaving to take a teaching post at the Brothers' school, St.
Xavier's College, in Nuereliya, Sri Lanka. With the prospect of nationalisation of
schools in 1961, Yesudasan resigned and returned to India. Before leaving Sri Lanka
Yesudasen was told about the Brothers' new foundation at the Boys' Town and he
was even encouraged to join the Brothers.
Yesudasan spent a few months at the Boys' Town before leaving for the Novitiate in
Penang where he edified everyone in spite of his age, experience and qualifications.
On his return to India after completing his Novitiate arrangements were made for
him to attend the Thiyagarajor College of Preceptors for the degree of Bachelor of
Teaching while staying at the Boys’ Town.
Without the convenience of public transport from the Boys' Town, Brother Yesu had
to walk for a couple of miles before he could take a bus to the College. At the end of
the clay he also did the same - getting off the bus and walking back the two
kilometres to the community. This didn't give him much rest nor sufficient time for
studies! However, he did this for a whole year without complaint. Any work that he
had to do at night was under the hurricane lamp. Having been a teacher Brother
Yesu had no problem in coping with the college course. He was not however lucky
in having enough time to work on his visual aids and projects demanded by the
College.
A week before the inspection day for the visual aids and projects Brother Yesu was
furiously preparing charts and other aids to meet the target date. Those of us who
had been through such inspections were almost sure that the projects Brother Yesu
had in hand would not satisfy the inspectors. Hoping against hope and with prayers
from all of us Brother Yesu left for College with whatever visual aids he had for the
final inspection.
Power of Prayer
The graduating teachers who were well prepared for the inspection lined up behind
their impressive projects and visual aids.. Brother Yesu also stood in line with his
limited visual aids with a thumping heart and reciting his rosary for heavenly
assistance to get over the ordeal. His prayers were answered!
On recognising that Brother Yesu was a Religious by his white robe, the Inspectors
greeted him warmly and said that there was no need to check his projects, since by
tradition the Religious produced excellent work and then moved on to check the
projects of the candidate next to him. Greatly relieved and with expressions of
gratitude to God and to his patron saints over the unexpected turn of events, Brother
Yesu returned to the Boys' Town to be congratulated by the Brothers.
Brother Yesu was later posted as the first La Salle Brother Principal of the P. M.
Ornella High School in Tuticorin.
Building Plans
Situated some 13 km away from the City of Madurai, the Boys’ Town did not come
under the jurisdiction of the Town Board. The Brothers found this situation very
comfortable as far as the freedom to construct buildings without the prior approval
from the housing authorities was concerned. Luckily, there was Brother Charles, the
Director of our school in Grand Pass in Sri Lanka who had the proficiency of an
architect and the skills of a civil engineer who helped with the designing of the
buildings of the Boys' Town.
The rocky nature of the grounds of the Boys' Town did not require much piling for
most of the buildings. The cottages were to be self-contained - with rooms,
dormitories, washing area, toilets ... except for the common dining room. The design
was to include a flat roof which would also serve as a 'dormitory' during the hot
season. These cottages were planned to accommodate just sixteen boys so as to give
them a sense of belonging.
Match Factory
Boys' Town undertook a strange project - the setting up of a Match Factory. This
was intended to give employment to the women in the neighbouring villages. A
modest building was erected and a local man was engaged to coordinate the
functions of the Match Factory. The Brothers were not aware what this project
would entail in terms of getting a licence and the cost for the purchase and transport
of inflammable substances from one District to another. This needed prior approval
of the Police. These problems surfaced only after the setting up of the Factory. The
Factory also became a centre of controversy between the Brothers and the new
Chaplain who replaced Fr. Visuvasem, the founder of the Boys’ Town., and later the
Bishop of Coimbatore Diocese.
On a Saturday the man-in-charge of the Match Factory sought the assistance of the
boys to pack the match sticks into boxes to prevent any accident by friction during
the long week-end. The boys were told that they should stop work before midnight
so that they could observe the Sunday rest! Work stopped by 11.00 p.m. as directed.
Having completed the work the boys however chose to sleep in the Factory itself,
25
for a change.
Exploration for Water
Careful planning was needed in attempting to dig wells. From the past experiences
of other farms we learned that digging wells for water could also meet with failure.
We had also seen half completed wells which had been abandoned after having
spent considerable sums of money and not finding sufficient supply of water.
To determine the existence of underground streams people normally sought the help
of 'water diviners'. There seems to be some affinity between the water diviners and
underground streams of water which could be more than ten feet below ground
level. The diviners either used a forked twig or a chain with a metal object (like a
pocket watch) over the location of the proposed well. The intensity of the "pull" on
the forked twig or the metal object would indicate the strength of the flow of the
underground stream. There is no hard and fast rule. Sometimes even the best
predictions could turn out to be total failure. However one had to take a chance!
We were successful in digging several wells in the grounds of the Boys' Town. The
most important one of these was drilled to a depth of 100 feet. This bore-well was
really an asset and we didn’t need any further digging for wells. There was now a
sufficient supply of water which would help us bring more land under cultivation as
well supply needed water of the entire Boys’ Town.
Dealing with Officials
Not having grown up within the Indian system of administration, and being assigned
to deal with official business, 1 had my moments of frustration dealing with
Government Officials. 1 found that things did not move smoothly and it could take
months before anything could be achieved. The Government offices opened at
around 10.00 a.m. and before lunch time at around 1.2.30 p.m. there was also a tea
break. If you couldn't meet the officer before lunch or the queue was too long, then
you had to hold on till after lunch. This was most inconvenient for us since we had
to come all the way from the Boys' Town some 13 km away, and 1 often returned to
the Boys' Town late in the evening. This would be a whole day's work. It was not
uncommon to be told, "Come next week" and when you went the following week
you might be told that it would take another "two weeks". This sort of delay could
carry on for weeks or even months.
By some luck 1 came across a gentleman and a close friend of the Collector of
Madurai who promised to bring me to meet the Collector himself. This meeting was
a God send! 1 poured out my frustrations to the Collector and he heard me patiently,
and then directed the officers to attend to my applications and clear them as soon as
possible. The matter in question which had taken months of delay was cleared in a
matter of just three days!
TUTICORIN - NEW MISSION
By the end of my third year our attention was drawn to the setting up of a Juniorate
and Novitiate.. By then there was already a positive offer by the Bishop of Tuticorin
to hand over the Middle School located at the Parish of Our Lady of Snows to the
Brothers. This was a God sent offer not to be refused!
Tuticorin is located about 130 km south east of Madurai on the coast facing the
Indian Ocean. It was here that St. Francis Xavier preached and made converts to the
Catholic faith among the fisher folks in the sixteenth century. The work of the Saint
is still much alive along the coast. Although the followers of St. Francis Xavier were
mere fishermen they were able to build some magnificent churches in the villages
and have been proud of their Catholic faith. Even to this day the Catholics
descended from of the early converts use Portuguese surnames, such as Fernando,
Pereira, Motha. It is also said that St. Francis would walk along the coast ringing a
bell to invite children for catechism lessons. There is still a small cave close to the
sea in Manapad, some forty km from Tuticorm, where the Saint used to live.
Father S. M. D'Almeida
With a view to taking over the P.M. Ornellas School (P.M. stands for Portuguese
Mission), I was directed to move to Tuticorin with Brother Jesudasen after his
graduation in 1964 to head the school. Since the school was located at the parish
Church of Our Lady of Snows, Fr. D'Almeda, the saintly Parish Priest was prepared
to go to any length to make the Brothers comfortable. He gave up his own
comfortable residence on the first floor his house to make way for the Brothers
community, and moved to a less attractive ground floor in the parish house.
We couldn't have wished for anything better in terms of comfort and convenience at
our new residence in Tuticorin, coming from the austere setting of the Boys' Town.
We already had a ready made house with comfortable rooms, a reception hall, a
dining room, and kitchen. The large unfurnished hall became the dormitory for the
Juniors. The entire first floor of our residence faced the Indian Ocean. One could
only give thanks for the large hearted generosity of Fr. D'Almeida.
P. M. Ornellas School - First La Salle Secondary School
My instructions when coming to Tuticorin was to make the final arrangements to
install Brother Yesu as the new Principal of the Ornella's School. A few days before
the beginning of the academic year Fr. D'Almeida came over to tell us that we were
seeing the 'retiring' headmaster after which he would introduce Brother Yesu to the
staff of the school. We expected everything to work out fine. When Fr. D'Almeida
returned after some considerable delay we were told that Brother Yesu couldn't be
appointed as the new Principal of the school according to the headmaster. The
headmaster seemed to have argued that he was the rightful head of the school and
that he had the right of succession to be posted as the Principal of the upgraded
Middle School.
As a solution the headmaster offered a kind. of compromise. He wanted to be the
Principal of the High School 'In the eyes of the Government' and enjoy the
Principal's salary and other benefits while he wanted Brother Yesu to be the
Principal of the school 'in the eyes of the public'. One of the arguments to support
27
 his right to remain as the headmaster was that Brother Yesu had only recently
received his teaching qualification and that he needed several years of experience
before he could be considered as head of a school. We however had no doubt that
with years and years of teaching experience both in India and in Sri Lanka Brother
Yesu was fully qualified to take on the headship of the school.
We had just a few days to make a decision before the beginning of the new
academic year. 1 told Fr. D'Almeida that the proposal of the headmaster was not
acceptable and since we could not contact our Provincial in Colombo on this matter
we would not move into the school when the new school year began.
Meanwhile, 1 checked with the secretary of Catholic Schools who also happened to
be a priest whether there was any truth in the claim made by the headmaster. He told
me that there was no such regulation. 1 also consulted some other authorities
including Fr. S. V. Mattam, S. J., Principal of the Jesuit run High School. He had the
same answer. 1 reported back these findings to Fr. D'Almeida and told him that
there was no substance in the claim by the headmaster. After further contact with the
headmaster, Fr. D'almeida informed us that it was a matter of dollars and cents that
made the headmaster want to hold on to his post and that he'd stand to lose his
present salary and perks. Realising the predicament of the headmaster Fr. D'Almeida
promised to compensate him for his impending financial loss. With this matter
settled Brother Yesu became the Principal of P. M. Ornellas High School with the
opening of the new school year. (Years later the name of the school was changed to
P.M.0. La Salle Higher Secondary School).
Br Antony Arulsamy recalls:
In 1964 a new community was formed in Tuticorin. When the Brothers took over the
animation of the Parish school Bro. Cassian upgraded it into a high school. He was
a cheerful, active and dynamic personality, which permeated and pervaded the
whole school with his meticulous presence and teaching.
Brother Lawrence Robless
Having solved the position of the Principalship of P.M. Ornellas High School we
went ahead with the setting up of the Juniorate. Meanwhile, we received news that
Brother Lawrence Robless (65) who had just retired from St. Joseph’s Institution,
Singapore, had been posted to Tuticorin to become the first Director of Juniors. One
would have thought that after years of heading one of the highly revered institutions
in Singapore Brother Lawrence would have been given some lighter administrative
work in the same country. The appointment to Tuticorin must have come as a shock
to Brother Lawrence. We were sure of that! However as a good Religious Brother
Lawrence accepted his posting to Tuticonn without any complaints.
A strange story was passed around among the Brothers that Brother Lawrence
Robless seemed to have impressed Brother Lawrence O'Toole by giving instructions
to the workers in 'Tamil' during one of his official visits to Singapore. This seemed
to have prompted Brother Lawrence O'Toole to post Brother Lawrence Robless to
Tuticorin, probably thinking that Brother Robless had a good command of Tamil.
But this was far from the truth. Brother Lawrence never spoke Tamil, but only knew
some words in Tamil like most of us who can say a few words in some foreign
languages.
Juniorate and Novitiate in Tuticorin
Brother Lawrence Robless - Director of Juniors
Although 1 had known Brother Lawrence Robless for many years 1 didn't have the
happiness of living in his community. We in Tuticonn really looked forward to his
coming. 1 was in Madras to receive him when he landed by the S. S. Rajula, a
steamship which plied between Singapore and Malaysia to the Ports of Nagapatnam
and Madras. He seemed to have enjoyed his trip. 1 went on board the ship to receive
him. Apart from his personal belongings he also brought some gifts which included
some classical music records. Unfortunately we didn't have a player to listen to these
musical gems.
Juniorate
Soon after the arrival of Brother Lawrence we invited the Juniors (who had already
been selected) to live with us at the parish house. In spite of his age Brother
Lawrence was very accommodating and friendly to his wards. The Juniors really
liked him and enjoyed his English lessons. Brother Lawrence also made it a rule that
the Juniors should only speak in English in the Juniorate so that they could develop
proficiency in that language. The youngest Junior at that time was just 12 years old.
His is none other than Brother Joseph Fernando, later to be Director of St. Joseph's
Boys' Village, Brother President of the Indian Delegation and even Institute
Formation Director.
Having undergone surgery on one of his legs because of an accident, Brother
Lawrence used to lift weights attached to his legs as a form of physiotherapy. This
was usually done after his regular walk in his white robe and a 'topi' on his head to
shield him from the sun and with a walking stick in hand along the main roads of
Tuticorin. He became quite a familiar figure in town. Having come from a family of
musicians, Brother Lawrence also took a keen interest in teaching songs to the
Juniors. All in all he was an ideal man for the job as the Director of Juniors.
To give some status to P.M. Ornellas High School, and with the consent of Brother
Lawrence, I started a fife, bugles and drum band. Brother Lawrence was helpful in
raising the needed funds. Among the locals who supported this band was Dr. A.
Augustine who eventually turned out to be one of my special friends in Tuticonn.
Both the Doctor and Mrs. Augustine were closely connected with St. Anthony's
Church. He was the choirmaster and Mrs. Augustine was the organist in the same
Church. Being the first school band in Tuticorin we couldn't get a music instructor.
Hearing that the Police Force in Turunelvelli, some 50 km away, had a similar band,
Dr. Augustine and I approached the Officer in charge of the Tirunelvelli Police
Headquarters if he could allow one of his musicians to come to the school from time
29
to time to train our students. The Officer was more than obliging. As a matter of fact
he actually posted a police constable who was competent to teach the bugle and fife
to the local police contingent to Tuticorin so that we could give daily lessons for our
boys. The constable was not given any other duties while he was in Tuticorin. With
regular practice and encouragement the band began to shape up. Soon P. M.
Ornellas High School Band became the talk of the town!
J. M. B. Roche
The people of Tuticorin being seafarers have had close links with Sri Lanka through
trade and family ties. With only limited educational opportunities available in
Tuticonn, some wealthy parents normally sent their children across to Sri Lanka to
continue their studies. Those who had attended La Salle schools in Sri Lanka knew
the Brothers and their reputation for conducting schools and had always wanted the
Brothers to come to Tuticorin to set up schools for their children.
With the prospect of the La Salle Brothers taking over the management of P.M.
Omellas Elementary School, Mr. J.M.B. Roche a generous benefactor who was also
a past pupil of St. Benedict's College, Colombo, came forward to offer three acres of
land to the Brothers for the proposed Novitiate. The land offered by Mr. J. M. B.
Roche was at Mangalagiri, some fifteen kilometres away from Tuticorin and
adjacent to the country house of the Roches. The property offered to the Brothers
had a private Chapel and some run-down buildings that had once been used as a
Social Centre for "cottage industry" training for the poor by Roche's grandfather.
The buildings just needed a face lift. This was attended to when Brother Xavier was
posted to Tuticonn. Both Brother Xavier and I worked hand in hand to see that the
main building was suitably renovated and furnished to turn it into a Novitiate
building. The first four postulants who had been living at the Boys' Town soon
arrived to begin their Novitiate life at Mangalagiri. The official opening was done by
the Rt. Rev. Thomas Fernando, the Bishop of Tuticorin.
Brother Austin - the Novice Master
The last to arrive to take charge of the Novitiate was Brother Austin Dee, who had
been the Director and Principal of a number of La Salle Schools in Sri. Lanka.
Brother Austin's teaching career began in 1928 when he arrived from England after
completing his Novitiate and Scholasticate in Dover. Much has been said about his
personal qualities as a Brother, Principal and Director of Communities. I had the
good fortune to meet him in Malaysia in the 50's when he brought with him a
number of young men from Sri Lanka to enter the common Novitiate in Penang.
Even then Brother Austin didn’t fail to impress those with whom he came in contact.
He carried his refinement throughout his entire life which warranted the following
words of appreciation from one of his admirers: "He was all things to all his
formees. Rare are such dedicated mentors found today. Brother Austin, the perfect
gentleman, a super product of Britain, the La Sallian, peerless and purified through a
generous living of his La Sallian vocation... " We were indeed blessed to have such
a dedicated Lasallian to be the first novice master in India.
Being his first visit to India, I was dispatched to receive him at the Manamadurai
Railway Station where years before Brother Alban, Director of the Boys' Town had
waited and waited for my arrival from Sri Lanka, the first time I landed in India.
Fortunately, Brother Austin did not carry a shot-gun and so there was no difficulty
in passing through the Customs and Immigration at Dhanuskodi! The boat train
arrived on time and I accompanied him first to the Boys' Town for an 'orientation'.
After a few days we left together for Tuticonn where Brother Xavier and his four
postulants were waiting at the Novitiate.
Progress and Consolidation
It had taken some five years before the Brothers began to realise that their mission in
India might finally succeed. There was no time however for complacency. There
was still much work to be done at the Boys' Town which would take several more
years and much more investment of money, equipment and personnel. By now a
number of cottages had already been constructed and there was a big increase in the
nurnber of poor and destitute students at the Boys’ Town. The boys were already
receiving training at the workshops. Parts of the grounds had also seen much
transformation. More land had also come under cultivation. In other words, things
were looking better and better and very hopeful for the future.
We had already set up the Juniorate and Novitiate in Tuticorin to ensure the
continuity and extension of the work of the Brothers. The number of young Indian
Brothers was on the increase. Life was more pleasant in Tuticorin than it had been at
the Boys' Town in Madurai. The Juniors attended class at P. M. Ornellas High
School. Brother Yesudasan was a committed Principal. He worked very hard to
achieve good academic results and had a tender spot for poor students. Brother Yesu
would normally come late for lunch after we had finished our meal so that he could
share his meal and the left-over food with some poor unfortunate student who had
come to school on an empty stomach. It was also said that he'd even give away the
shirt of his back if that became necessary. His deep interest in the welfare of the
poor was not always appreciated and sometimes became a source of conflict. This
did not however change his commitment for the poor.
The three elderly Brothers - Brother Lawrence Robless, the Director of the
Juniorate, Brother Austin, Director of the Novitiate and Brother Xavier Corera,
sub-Director of the Novitiate who had distinguished themselves in their own set-up
in Sri Lanka and in Singapore, respectively, now brought to their new
responsibilities the same dedication and singled-mindedness in building up the
Lasallian mission in India. One must acknowledge that without the generous
financial support given by international charitable bodies and by individuals, the
Brothers could not have achieved much for the physical growth and development
that took place in the Boys’' Town or in Tuticorin.

31
Sporting Facilities
Pupils who attended P. M. Omellas High School came generally from poor families,
unlike those who attended St. Xavier's High School, run by the Jesuit Fathers. The
pupils at St. Xavier's High School were better dressed, wore shoes and looked smart
compared to those from P.M. Omellas who couldn't afford smart clothing and
generally moved around barefoot. This did not prevent the boys of Omellas from
competing with other schools in studies and in games.
Situated within the Church area, P. M. Ornellas did not have any play ground. This
did not deter Brother Yesu from using any open space close to the beach. His
favourite area for training his football team was the hard grassless ground used by
the fishermen to unload their catch. Having been accustomed to moving around
without any kind of footwear, the students did not find difficulty playing on hard
ground.
Meanwhile, the Bishop of Tuticorin had already assigned an old unused cemetery
close to the school for future expansion of the school. Brother Yesu did not waste
time in getting the cemetery grounds cleared with the help of his pupils so that he
could have a sizeable football field. Brother Yesu personally supervised the removal
of the remaining 'monuments' for the dead and had them re-buried with due respect
and propriety.
Once the field at the old cemetery became useable Brother Yesu began to coach his
football team. Time and again his school emerged champions in the local and
District football competitions. Their unprecedented success in football led to their
travel to other Districts in Tamil Nadu, and many years later, they reached the State
Finals which were held in Chennai (Madras). Here again they beat their rival teams
and for the first time emerged the Football Champions of the State of Madras.
State Champions
There was much excitement and rejoicing when news reached Tuticorin of the
success of our football team in Chermai (Madras). The Chairman together with
leading officials were at the Tuticorun Railway Station to receive the victorious
team. Parents of the students and well-wishers were also gathered to congratulate the
boys. The P.M. Ornellas High School band of fifes, bugles and drums displayed its
talent at the Railway Station to welcome the Champions. This was indeed a great
honour for our boys. All in all it was also a victory for Tuticorin and its people.
People were overjoyed at seeing that the boys of P.M. Omellas High School had put
Tuticorin on the sporting map of Tamil Nadu. After the preliminary greetings and
congratulations offered by the Chairman of Tuticorin Municipality and those
gathered at the Railway Station, the footballers were taken in procession in an open
truck along the main roads in town, preceded by the P. M. Ornellas High School
Band. That was a very memorable day for the school as well as for Tuticorin!
Lambretta
With the Juniorate and the Novitiate having been set up the need to recruit
candidates for these institutions became more urgent than before. Frequent visits to
parishes and Christian villages along the coast now became a necessity; firstly to
make the Brothers known and secondly to look for suitable candidates for our
houses of Formation. To make these visits I was given a Lambretta scooter to get to
places. Sometimes I joined the parishioners on the feasts of their Patron Saints
which were celebrated with much pomp that included firework displays at night.
It was not always easy to ride the Lambretta along the unpaved sandy coastal roads.
On one occasion I had to push the vehicle for about half a mile before reaching the
parish house. At another time the tires slipped on the sand and then both the vehicle
and I fell to the ground. Thank God I was not hurt as there was much soft sand and
there was no damage to the scooter either. I quickly got up and looked around to see
if anyone had noticed my fall! There was no one around to tell the tale. My visits to
the parishes were appreciated by the parishioners and from time to time I received
some small gifts from them. Once I was given ten large live lobsters to take home.
We had the luxury of enjoying lobster meals for a number of lunches and dinners so
that we didn't want to see another lobster for some time.

The Augustines
My first contact with Dr. Augustine was when I went to consult him over my health
problem at his Clinic in early 1965. He was gracious and kind and spoke to me like
an old friend. That was the beginning of our friendship that has lasted for decades.
After the second visit Dr. Augustine introduced me to Mrs. Augustine and to the
other members of family. Both Doctor and Mrs. Augustine were from the
Verapandianpatnam Village and were closely connected by blood ties. The
Augustines were good God fearing people. Three of Mrs. Augustine's sisters had
become Nuns and were living in Sri Lanka. When there was a need to extend their
parish Church Dr. Augustine was selected as the most suitable person to raise funds
as well as to supervise the extension to the Church. Mrs. Augustine was a musician
and prepared students for the Trinity College Music Examinations and was
recognised as a very successful music teacher in Tuticorin. Their concern for the
poor and the sick extended far beyond their clinic. In fact the family built a Free
Clinic for the poor close to their village in Verapandiapatnam and handed it over for
the Sisters to treat poor patients.
When I was diagnosed for an irregular heart beat and hypertension and needed
hospitalisation in Tuticorin, the Augustines were deeply concerned about my health
condition. The Doctor, however, did not wish to send me to the Government
Hospital for treatment. As an alternative the Doctor proposed that I stay with them
and receive the treatment for my medical problem..
The Augustines lived in a two storey house. The "Augustine Clinic" on the ground
floor faced the Victoria Extension Road - one of the main roads of Tuticorin. The
33
 back portion of the ground floor had the living room, the music room, a few
bedrooms, dining room, kitchen etc. Their generosity went far beyond expectations.
To make room for me, the family which occupied the upper floor of the house,
decided to move to the rooms on the ground floor and offered the entire upper floor
for my use. This was to be my 'hospital". This was indeed a most unexpected luxury
for a patient in a foreign land.
With proper medication and rest I slowly recovered from my ailments. On some
occasions when the Augustines felt that I needed some distraction, the Doctor would
close his Clinic and take me out for an overnight outing out of town. For all their
care and concern the Augustines wouldn't take a cent from me. Having experienced
hardship and deprivations during the initial years of my stay at the Boys' Town, I
could only thank God for the kind of hospitality that was extended to me by the
Augustines in Tuticorin. I am forever indebted to them for their kindness and
generosity.
My years in India over a span of five years had a strong impact on my life and has
remained ever since. Even forty years after I left India, I can still recall in graphic
detail the events, persons, challenges, disappointments, joys and. achievements in.
the process of re-incarnating the Lasallian mission during the initial years at the
Boys' Town, Madurai and Tuticorin. Even today I thank the Good Lord for having
given me this unique opportunity of working for and serving the poor and the
marginalised in the country of my forebears. Humanly speaking, the experience that
I had in India is something that I cannot easily forget. Other than the Brothers with
whom I worked closely in Madurai and Tuticorin I continue to cherish my former
recruits - the Juniors, Postulants and the Indian Brothers who so generously
responded to the invitation to join the Brothers in spite of the many inconveniences
and constraints under which they lived and worked. I also recall with gratitude the
many devoted and generous lay people, such as the Roches, the Augustines, the
Villoths, the Thomases, the Mothas, (to mention just a few), who enriched my life
with their kind support, generosity, love and affection.
School Principal
Back in Malaysia in familiar territory in 1966, he was briefly appointed sub-director of St
Joseph’s Novitiate in Pulau Tikus before being posted to St Francis’ Institution [SFI] in
Malacca. All through life he took every opportunity to upgrade his qualifications. Despite
his many commitment in India he had studied for and obtained a diploma in commerce from
the Commercial University in Delhi. After a year in Malacca which would lay the
foundation for later postings to SFI, he applied for and obtained study leave to study for his
BA at De La Salle University in Manila which he completed in two years. He proceeded to
do his Masters which he obtained in 1969. Following on this he joined the staff of the St
La Salle University in Bacolod as a lecturer for two years.
On his return to Malaysia in 1971 he was posted to St Anthony’s School in Telok Intan.
Then he was truly ready to undertake major responsibilities as Director/Principal
successively at St Francis’ Institution Malacca, La Salle Secondary School Klang and St
John’s Institution Kuala Lumpur. In all three he gave inspired leadership and is still
remembered for significant achievements.
He was principal of St Francis’ Institution from 1972 to 1976. He had to adjust to big
changes in education just then in process. As he was settling in he was shocked by a sudden
directive from the local education office relocating to other schools half of the secondary
staff, many of whom were long established ‘pillars’ of the school. These were replaced by a
similar number of teachers with no experience of working with the Brothers. He made an
urgent appeal to the National Conference of Secondary School Heads to make immediate
representations to the Ministry. But since it was a matter of official policy that all teachers
were now ‘directable’, there was little they could do. Months later he was willing to admit
that not all was lost. Among the new teachers there were several who settled in very well
and were giving splendid service, and proved to be major assets to the school. And he had
to admit that among those relocated there were some that some classified as ‘dead wood’.
All through life his health was a matter of concern, chiefly his blood pressure which called
for special care, given his super active style of operation. In March 1975 he had to be
hospitalised for a week.
He established excellent rapport with the Board and the Franciscan Old Boys’ Association
to ensure their full participation in the life of the school. Physical improvements were made
and as elsewhere he gave special attention to the cultural life of the school. Highly
memorable was the production in May 1975 of The Fiddler on the Roof with the ever
popular Br Edmund Matthews taking the role of Inn-Keeper. It was sold out night after
night.
The following year he took time off to do his M.Ed at Manchester University in UK.
In 1977 Br Harold Reynolds, principal of La Salle Klang and himself did a mutual switch
and he was to remain principal of La Salle School till 1982. These were golden years for
the La Salle School. It grew from an enrolment of 1,080 to 1380 students and from 27 to 38
classes. He converted a shed into 3 new classrooms to accommodate growing numbers, set
about constructing a new block of 10 classrooms to replace 10 temporary sheds, and
launched a lottery, with countrywide support. He organised several subscription dinners
which were a great success and annual funfairs. Eventually a 3 storey new building took
shape which housed 12 classes, 3 Science labs and an AVA room, completed at a cost
$270,000/-. Besides, there were new toilets and an extended canteen. He also raised and re-
turfed the school field.
As Br Harold Reynolds says:
Cassian was multi-talented, creative, and more than willing ‘to have a go’. He put up
a large classroom block in La Salle School, Klang, when everybody told him it
couldn’t be done, that it was not the time to build. Cassian just went ahead, built it
and saw that it was paid off quickly.
The Board, PIPG and Old Boys’ Association contributed tremendously towards these
developments. La Salle became a prestigious school not only in Klang but in Selangor,
excelling in both academic and co-curricular activities. For several years they were state
35
champs in hockey.
Together with Br Augustine Julian and Br Anthony Lam they made a community of three,
all participated in a major project of cleaning up and repainting of the community residence,
and a new fence was constructed. And there was a new dining room as well.
Once more he took leave, this time in early 1980 to follow the six months CIL refresher
course in Rome together with Brs Alban Tang and Justin Mobilik. Reports to the District
Newsletter suggest that they drew full benefit from the experience, especially meeting up
with such a large diversity of Brothers from 44 different districts. It was in such situations
that Br Cassian’s unique gifts for easy rapport and carefree laughter were given full scope.
By mid-year he was back in school in time to plan the school’s celebration of the
tercentenary of the founding of the Institute [1680-1980]. The school was fully involved in
a variety of programmes including a tastefully mounted exhibition of the work of the
Brothers worldwide.
In December the same year he was back in hospital, this time in Assunta with gall bladder
trouble. Some 12 stones were removed and later exhibited in community! Meanwhile a
trickster claiming to be Dr Lim of Assunta phoned the school clerk at 3.30pm to inform him
that Br Cassian had passed away. There was consternation and panic, a number of events
were instantly cancelled including bandnite. The Brothers phoned University Hall and
getting no reply seemed to confirm that everyone had gone to the hospital. The whole
community got into the car and made a dash to the hospital to mourn for him, instead they
found that news of his death had indeed been grossly exaggerated, he was very much alive.
They hugged him with joy as if a miracle had taken place.
St John’s Institution
When Br Lawrence Spitzig retired as principal of St John’s Institution in February 1983, Br
Cassian was appointed to replace him. This proved to be something of a grand climax to his
career as school principal thus far. As community director he presided over a team of
seasoned Brothers that included Brs John Svrcek, Matthew Liew and Damian Oliver.
Br Matthew Liew writes:
He was a real builder wherever he was posted. At St. John’s Institution, he put up
the Tan Sri Vendargon block with sporting facilities. He enlisted the services of an
old pupil of his and a dear friend, an architect by the name of Jimmy Lim, and an
engineer by the name of Mr. S. Raj to construct Stella Maris School. They were also
involved in the renovation of St. John’s Cathedral Parish house and undertook the
renovation of the Brothers’ bungalow at Port Dickson.
Br Cassian as usual moved with speed. Arriving in February 1983 the Brothers’ rooms
were redesigned and upgraded to include the outer verandas, obviously with advice from
trusted friend Jimmy Lim, and were ready for occupation by July. Br John reported:
Each Brother’s room now has its own private shower and closet. We have greater
privacy and need to walk much less than before. Accordingly those requiring some
reducing must find some other form of exercise.
Lots of other building projects were similarly in process, not to mention his involvement in
a large new building in Sentul. People wondered how he kept going. Br Damian saw the
secret in his unshakable optimism which was confirmed by his ‘fantastic laughter’ and
reports that he was dubbed by some as the ‘Laughing Buddha’.
Studies were never neglected. The form three examination results reached an historic high
with 83% passing, reflecting high achievement in all fields. Year by year the percentage
passing kept rising, indicative of the priority Br Cassian always gave to studies.
The beginning of 1986 saw major developments taking place at St John’s. Br Cassian
reports as follows:
The final plans for the construction of the Underground Car Park in the school field
are ready and work is expected to commence in April [1986]. This means that St
John’s will be left without a school field for the period of construction, which will
take about two years. A third of the field closer to the school canteen will however
be available for the use of the school for PE lessons and other minor activities.
Meanwhile the school has finalised plans for the construction of a sports complex,
near the cemetery. The faculties planned here are three indoor badminton courts and
three squash courts. There would be a very large open hall for assemblies. The cost
for the above will be met by the developers. The facilities for which the school has
to pay are: the industrial arts rooms, an art room, a prayer room [surau], an agama
room and seven all purpose rooms. Several fund raising projects have been planned
to meet the cost of the building. We hope to hold a walkathon on 23 August.
This indeed represented a most ambitious programme of development, and ever typical of
Cassian, funds were collected and work was carried through as planned. The hidden cost
often escaped public notice. Br Matthew Liew writes about his worsening health condition:
He did not enjoy good health. He was a heart patient and suffered from diabetes and
high blood pressure. Every day was a bonus for him. In spite of his ill health he was
positive in his daily living and took life as a challenge. His favourite song was, “Que
Sera, Sera whatever will be will be.” He was blessed in having Dr. Felix Soosay to
look after his health and prescribe his medication F.O.C. Another friend was Dr.
Mohan Lopez who operated on him for knee replacements of both knees...
Given his flair for music, he made the annual Music Festival a major highlight of the year, a
fiesta of song, music and dance which delighted capacity audiences and brought handsome
financial returns for the school. The annual sports day, prize-giving and speech day, and
awards day were other colourful highlights which bonded the extended school community,
which Br Cassian promoted at every opportunity.
He had a flair for international link-ups, particularly with Japan. Arrangements were made
for St John’s to be twinned with the prestigious Sayacegoka High School in Tokyo, this was
at their express wish following on visits to St John’s by groups of Japanese teachers and
students as well as the principal of the school.
Japan Here I Come

37
In 1988 there were important changes as regarding Brothers and Sisters. Since he was
already 60 he was obliged to retire as he held a high promotion post. However he was in no
mood to hang up his spurs. Japan was beckoning. By special invitation he took a post as
English Professor at Immaculate Heart College, Kagoshima. Japan and resided with the
Brothers a tram ride away. He put his flare for music to good account by producing a
musical play Fanny the Frivolous Flipper, to general surprise, a courageous venture that
nobody seemed willing to follow. Weekends he would join some close friends for a visit to
popular Tenmongkang shopping centre, where he liked to participate in karaoke with his
impressive singing voice. He fell in love with the country and its people and links were
maintained for several years, thanks to his gift for making lasting friends wherever he
served. In his Eulogy at his funeral Br Thomas referred to one such person: We welcome
Ms. Takae Mishima who has travelled from Japan this morning. She is Bro Cassian's
god- daughter and we express our deepest sympathy to her. One important result was the
annual education trips to our Malaysian schools by groups of Japanese students and their
teachers. Close bonding took place between schools such as SFI and SXI following such
group visits.
The community scribe at St John’s noted that during these years in Japan he made several
entrances and exits to the community, possibly to maintain contact with his doctors. Even in
Japan his health proved a major concern. On 7 September 1990 news flashed through the
District that he had collapsed on the street, and was in coma for six hours and was not
expected to live. Thankfully it was directly in front of the hospital not far from the Brothers’
Residence and a perceptive nurse saw what had happened, and rushed to his help. When
news reached La Salle College close by the staff and students showed great concern and
held an all night vigil as his Japanese students kept folding thousands of traditional origami
cranes used for wishing the sick speedy recovery. The doctors diagnosed an attack on the
brain stem, and they were much relieved when he eventually recovered consciousness. They
were even more delighted that he could speak and recall every detail of what had happened.
After two years he felt it was advisable for health reasons to return to Malaysia. When it
came to saying sayonara he took with him lasting memories, and for years maintained close
contact with a number of Japanese friends. ###
Hawkestone Hall
After three years he returned to Malaysia and opted for a spiritual renewal programme at
Hawkstone Hall Pastoral and Study Centre, Shrewsbury, England. Here too he made many
new friends. Two Mercy Sisters have written a warm tribute following on their happy
encounter, and they give us a vivid and highly recognisable picture of Br Cassian at this
point in his career. They write:
It was there that we, Sr. Monica and Sr. Louise, came into contact with a variety of
wonderful Religious from all walks of our vowed life. None other became more
endeared to us than a singular, conspicuous La Salle Brother from Malaysia. Brother
Cassian, an educator, an administrator of renown in Malaysia, but especially Brother
was remarkable for his pride in being the Religious that he was, and proud of
belonging to his Congregation and his Community.
 Brother stood out for his spirituality, his respect for all persons, his generosity, his
sensitivity and thoughtfulness, but above all he extended a contagious sense of
humour, of laughter, a bright carefree outlook on all minor concerns. Brother was
someone who could make you feel happy. Happy because he himself was so happy,
in other words he lived without the fear of God and was always united in His love.
Stella Maris Private School
On his return to Malaysia he was asked by the Archbishop Soter Fernandez to take over
Stella Maris School in Kuala Lumpur. At this stage it was largely a school for secondary
school dropouts, designed to give a second chance to the casualties of the official school
system. He put new spirit into the school but at the same time his mind and imagination
were exploring larger possibilities. He was principal 1992-1994.
On retirement he took study leave to do his doctorate at De La Salle University in Manila.
He chose as his thesis the mission schools in Malaysia with the title Mission Schools at the
Crossroads. It was a study of their origin, their special place within the education
establishment and the challenges faced with growing Government control and the
diminishing presence of Brothers. It was a remarkable undertaking given his poor health
and advancing years.
Back in Kuala Lumpur he was active in planning the De La Salle Language Institute at
Bukit Nanas, and also working closely with the Archbishop with plans for a new Stella
Maris building. The existing classes were phased out and the ground cleared. His friend
Jimmy Lim was architect, a man of truly creative imagination, especially when working
within the unyielding constraints of space in the already crowded church compound.
Within the completed building one got a subtle sense of spaciousness. Staircases were not
dramatised, the central focus was rather a concourse area with a magnificent shaft of pure
natural light pouring down all five levels to the basement floor below. As a building it was
in every way user friendly.
When Br Casimir Hannon, the first principal, passed away at the end of a year or so, Br
Cassian replaced him. This was in September 1997 when he was already 70. The
surprising fact was that age did not slacken his pace in the least, or diminish his usual
bustling efficiency. He slipped into a demanding routine of school management, meetings
with the Board and with the parents, and planning ahead. Running a private school had
some of the features of running a successful business, such as maintaining financial viability
and proper staffing and keeping your clientele satisfied. He excelled in all these. His wide
network of contacts meant he was able to recruit from among those freshly graduating from
university as well as experienced teachers about to retire. This allowed for a balance of
innocence and long experience. One Monday morning the staff found the photocopying
machine had been transferred to the principal’s office. There was consternation as it was in
constant use in the staffroom. When confronted he explained that there was far too much
wastage. Teachers could still use it, but in the principal’s office. He proved his point when
it was found over the next few weeks that a ream of paper now lasted a week or longer,
when formerly a ream lasted scarcely a single day!

39
What was particularly noticeable was his firm grip on the school, staff, students and parents;
he remained very effectively the boss, and could be firm and unyielding when the situation
called for it. Given certain well understood parameters he could still be his bubbling
laughing self. The students came from the more affluent families in the Klang Valley and
they sometimes required special handling. Br Cassian was equal to this. Flooding of the
basement happened during major downpours and it seemed little could be done about it. He
studied it and saw the solution, it meant breaking into a neighbouring drain, a covert task
best done under cover of darkness, and he knew the right workmen who would be ready to
do it.
Already by April 1999 his health was a major personal concern and in a letter to the
Archbishop he wrote: “Apart from my heart problems, hypertension and palpitation, I seem
to have developed diabetes and possibly bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. The long
hours in school have not helped in my recovery and therefore my request to terminate my
post as principal of Stella Maris earlier than August 1999.” By the beginning of 2000 the
doctors advised him to retire.
He became the executive general secretary for the Malaysian Catholic Education Council
[MCEC], which had an important advisory role for all Catholic schools. This post he held
for his remaining years. In an early report he writes:
Working close with the Malayan Christian Schools’ Council, the MCEC has been
able to meet the Minister, the Deputy Minister and officers of the Ministry of
Education on matters affecting Mission schools. The MCEC has also been appealing
to the Ministry of Lands and Mines for the reduction of Quit Rent on Mission lands
used for schools. As result of such meetings the Cabinet has directed the Ministry of
Lands and Mines to charge a nominal fee of RM 1.00 as Quit Rent for the year. The
MCEC has also extended its activities to East Malaysia with the setting up of two
Education Secretariats: in the Archdiocese of Kuching and in the Diocese of Kota
Kinabalu which led to the setting up of teachers’ committee in all parishes.
The MCEC recently represented Malaysia at the Catholic Educational Association
of the Philippines as a member of the International Catholic Education Office based
in Belgium.

He maintained his close contacts with Japan and occasionally travelled there to renew old
acquaintances, mostly on invitation from Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima.
Contacts with India were even more frequent. In both places he was warmly remembered
and made very welcome.
He took special interest in collecting funds to help projects for the poor in South India. Br
Antony Arulsamy writes from India:
Br Cassian maintained a great interest in the development of the Delegation of India.
He felt a sense of pride that the work of Brothers has been abundantly blessed by
God. With the help of Miss Irene Tan and her family members he helped various
institutions in the Indian delegation financially. The Indian Brothers are very
grateful for the Endowment Fund which he persuaded Miss Irene and her family
 members to establish for the education of poor and marginalized students in Boy’s
Town in Madurai and in schools in Keelamudiman, Pudumanam Dindigul and
Mosavady.
In the District Newsletter for October 2007 Br Cassian reports on La Salle Higher
Secondary School, Tuticorin, India:
Apart from running the school the Brothers also run an orphanage for the poor and
destitute boys. The boys hardly pay any fees... board &lodging, school books, fees,
uniform etc are absorbed by the Brothers or by generous donors.
The Old Lasallian Association of Klang is supporting 40 of the inmates by a yearly
contribution of RM 16,000/ (RM 400/ for each students).
Miss Irene Tan has been financially supporting a number of projects of the Brothers
for some years.. Her recent contribution was for the extension of the Muthuchippi
Hostel for Destitute Boys in Tuticorin.
During her last visit to India she noticed that there was not enough sleeping space
for the 250 inmates at the Hostel. The boys were seen lying in any available space...
floor, along corridors, desk and table tops, and on the grounds of the hostel exposed
to wind and weather.
The Hostel which was built to house just 80 boys now caters for more than 250 and
numbers continue to increase. Irene promised to pay for the extension of the Hostel.
The boys now have sufficient space for their needs... study, sleeping area etc.
Bro. Thomas Michael, HM of the La Salle School and Supervisor of the Hostel
writes: “Greetings from Bro. Thomas, the dream has been realized. It was possible
because of both of you (Irene and Bro. Cassian). It is named as La Salle Irene Hall,
Bro. David Hawke inaugurated it.
“On that day you were remembered, the inmates expressed their multitude of thanks.
The Hall is spacious and comfortable. It is also used for meetings and gatherings.
“Dear Brother, we have also dedicated a Hall in your name, which was built out of
school savings, It is named Brother Cassian Hall....”
Miss Irene Tan received her Diploma of Benefaction from the Bro. Superior General
in 2005 in recognition for financing projects of the Brothers in favour of the poor
and marginalised in India.

Despite his health problems he still managed to do much travelling. In May 2006 we find
him attending the blessing of the Novitiate in Bangalore 28 May 2006.
On 25 March 2007 he ventured into another much appreciated project, namely the Catholic
Bible School [England] at De La Salle Institute. This was a distance learning programme
which he made available locally by special arrangement with the Bible School in England.
The programme is intended to enable participants to come to a deeper Bible knowledge in
order to grow in the relationship with God. The method of study is flexible and enables
groups or individuals to proceed at their own pace. The system is modular and can be
undertaken in any order. Old and New Testament subjects are covered. Each module is self
41
contained. This programme is suitable for both individual learners as well as for small
groups. The course consists of recorded lectures on tapes and a workbook for each module.
Those who successfully complete five modules will be entitled to the Certificate and those
who complete all the ten modules will be awarded the Diploma in Religious Studies of the
Catholic Bible School.
He held elaborate graduation ceremonies for the successful candidates. Back in England it
was greeted with enthusiasm. The following was how one paper saw it:
The NEWS had a striking heading for its article “Global Coup for Bible Study
Group” referring to the setting up of the CBS Living Word in Kuala Lumpur, this
being the first outreach venture of the Catholic Bible School outside England. Then
it goes on to say, “The new organization of which Brother Cassian has been
appointed director was granted a licence to distribute and copy of the teaching
material for Malaysia thereby making the CBS Living Word an affiliated member of
the Catholic Bible School.

The end
It was a surprise for many that Br Cassan just could keep going, not least within his own
family where he was seen to have achieved an age no other member had ever achieved. On
21 July 2008 he went for a spinal operation at Tawakal Hospital in KL. While the operation
was a success, complications arose and shortly after and his heart stopped. They tried
reviving him and in the process he went into coma, which was to last 496 days. He was later
transferred to Lecadia Nursing Home, also in KL. Ms Irene Tan who kept daily vigil at his
bedside recalls tantalising signs that he was conscious, at times even suggesting attempts to
communicate. He passed away 29 November 2009, little over a month ahead of his 82 nd
birthday. Brother Thomas Lavin, Visitor, circulated the news to the Brothers:
Br Cassian slipped away quietly around 5.00am Sunday morning (29th Nov.) in the
Lecadia Nursing Home, KL, where he had been resident since 7th September
2008. A total of 496 days had passed since he fell into a coma following surgery at
Tawakal Hospital on 21st July 2008. Ms Irene Tan, Patrick, his nephew, Br Andrew
and myself gathered at the home as soon as we could. The undertaker was called and
we decided to have the wake in the St. John's school chapel and that he would be
cremated. As Br Larry Spitzig had taken the last plot available for burial in Cheras,
Br Felix arranged for the reconstruction of most of our graves to take urns after
cremation. The IJ Sisters near us have been doing this for some time. Cassian would
be the first for us and it would be in Br Joseph Yeoh's grave.

The remains were laid out in the school chapel by late Sunday afternoon and a book
of condolence was opened. The nearby library room in the community quarters was
made available for drinks and conversation. Fortunately the chapel and the quarters
had just been renovated from top to bottom and so were very fresh and presentable.
We were aware that SJI was on exams and that there was need for quietness around
the school. Vigil prayers were said at 8.00pm on Sunday and Monday evenings and
the chapel was full on both occasions. Floral wreaths started arriving early from
schools, alumni associations and friends, including one from the Immaculate Heart
College, Kagoshima, Japan where he taught from 1989 to 1991. Archbishop Pakiam
Murphy called to pay his respects on Monday morning but regretted he could not
attend the funeral as he was leaving for Bangkok that night. We are very grateful to
Br David Hawke, General Councillor, for coming at short notice to represent the
Delegation of India. Cassian was one of the pioneering Brothers who went to India
in the early 60's to re-launch our Lasallian mission in the sub-continent and is held
in great affection by the Indian Brothers.

On Tuesday morning, final prayers were said in the school chapel and the coffin was
carried downstairs to the hearse. The SJI corps of bagpipers, organised by Mr. David
Fernandez, led the cortege along Jalan Bukit Nanas to the door of St. John's
Cathedral. The Requiem Mass began at 10.00am with Fr. Mari Arokiam as the
principal celebrant. Msgr James Gnanapiragasam, Parish Priest at the Cathedral,
preached the homily. Old Boy Fr. OC Lim S.J, now recovered from his heart
surgery, concelebrated with three other priests. There was a very large attendance in
the Cathedral and it was nice to see a group of students in uniform
with their Headmaster, Mr A R Peters, from Stella Maris School where Cassian had
been the founding Principal.

In my Eulogy at the end I expressed our condolences to Cassian’s extended family

who were there in large numbers. I thanked Ms Irene Tan who took such great care
of him in the nursing home. She was at his bedside virtually every day for several
hours during his 16 months in coma. I welcomed Ms Takae Mashima, his god-
daughter, who flew in from Beijing and wept most of the time during the funeral. In
giving thanks to God for Cassian’s life I referred to India as an example of his zeal
and generosity of spirit and concluded by praying a short Litany of thanksgiving of
the qualities we appreciated in him, including his great vitality in the service of the
Lord right up to his final illness.

As we left the Cathedral, a convoy of police outriders took over and cleared a way
through the heavy downtown traffic of Kuala Lumpur to the Cheras Crematorium
which is beside the cemetery.

The crematorium hall is a simple affair with a metal table in the middle where
the coffin was placed. We sat on either side and offered the final prayers. We placed
flowers on top of the coffin and then Patrick, his nephew, pressed the switch to
lower it to the oven below. Dennis Doss led us in singing the Salve Regina and we
bid our final farewells to a good and dear Brother.

On Wednesday morning we returned at 10.00am to the Cheras Cemetery to inter the

ashes in the grave of Bro. Joseph Yeoh alongside 14 other Brothers.
43
 May they all rest in the peace of the Lord. Amen.

I would like to express our very sincere thanks to Bro. Andrew and Bro. Felix (who
had to rush back from Singapore) for taking care of arrangements and to the
Brothers who were present during the funeral services. In my words at the end of the
Mass I also expressed our gratitude to the management and staff of Lecadia Nursing
Home, Jalan Pudu, KL.

Fraternally and in hope

Br Thomas

Tributes

EULOGY FOR BRO. CASSIAN PAPPU

Bro. Thomas Lavin, Visitor
St. John's Cathedral, Kuala Lumpur
1 December, 2009
Dear Rev Fathers Brother Sisters Family Members and Friends of Br Cassian.
In the early hours of Sunday morning, the final call came for Br Cassian, quietly,
imperceptibly after 496 days in a coma. It was the First Sunday of Advent, the day which
marks the ending of the old and the beginning of a new cycle of life on our Christian
journey. Cassian had completed his life journey on this earth spanning 82 years, 59 of them
as a Brother of the Christian schools. He was now beginning a new journey into God,
where, as the Book of Daniel tells us: those who instruct many unto justice shall shine as
stars for all eternity.
We gather here this morning to celebrate and give thanks to God for the gift of Bro Cassian
and to bid our final farewell to his earthly remains. I thank Fr James for celebrating the
Mass for us and each of you for your comforting presence and support.
On behalf of the Brothers I would first like to express our deepest sympathy to Patrick and
his family and all the relatives of Bro Cassian. We know that Cassian was a patriarchal
figure in your family and your great love for him was shown by the vigil you kept every
night at his bedside for many months. His going leaves a huge gap in your lives but you can
now be assured that you have a very special patron in heaven who will take good care of
you.
We would also like to express our condolences to Ms Irene Tan and her family who were
very close to Cassian for many years. We are very grateful to Irene for her support and care
of Cassian especially during his final illness in the Lecadia Nursing Home. She kept vigil at
his bedside during every one of those 496 days and ensured that he was given the best care
possible. All that time we looked for little signs of hope and prayed. A small shake of the
head or a tear drop gave us some encouragement. But recovery was not to be and, sad as we
are at his going, the call to return home was a blessed release. Thank you Irene and Patrick
George who assisted you.
We welcome Ms. Takae Mashima who has travelled from Japan this morning. She is Bro
Cassian's god-daughter and we express our deepest sympathy to her.
To the management and staff of the Lecadia Nursing Home we would like to say a special
word of thanks. In particular we are grateful for the caring services of nurses Mary, Kieran,
Ms Chan, Vicky and Kumutha Yati. May the good Lord bless you in your very special
calling.
We are very grateful to have with us this morning Bro. David Hawke, General Counsellor
for the Pacific-Asia Region. One of his main responsibilities is the Brothers mission in
India. As many will know, Bro Cassian was a pioneer of our Lasallian mission in India in
the I960's . I will say more about this later. By his presence here today, Br David is
expressing the great affection of the Indian Brothers for Bro Cassian and their gratitude for
all he has done for them. We are also very pleased that Br. Michael Jacques can also be
present at this requiem Mass as he was the Brother Visitor when Cassian first went to India.
I would like to express a special word of thanks to his Director Bro Andrew and the
Community at St John's for your loving care and attention to Cassian and for the
preparations for this funeral. This Community has lost its two most senior Brothers in a
matter of months: first Br Lawrence and now Cassian.
In 2002 we Brothers celebrated 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first De La Salle
Brothers in Malaysia and the opening of our first school in Penang in 1852. To mark this
historic occasion a publication entitled "A Portrait of the De La Salle Brothers" was
produced, in which each Brother in Malaysia was invited to reflect on his life and
achievements as a DLS Brother.
For his entry, Br Cassian chose to write a short synopsis of his life story. I would now like
to share this with you as it helps us recall the high points of his life in his own words. "It
was during World War Two that I came in contact the La Salle Brothers of St. George's,
Taiping - after the Brothers were released from the Taiping Prison by the Japanese
authorities. The Brothers were left without money or any other sources of support and
lacked even the basic necessities like food. Seeing their plight my parents arranged to
45
provide one of their daily meals until the Brothers were able to fend for themselves. My task
was to bring the food to the Church from where it was taken to the Brothers. I didn't at that
time think that I would one day become a Brother myself
At the end o the Japanese Occupation when St. George's Institution reopened I enrolled in
the school to complete my studies under the Brothers. My daily contact with them slowly
began to attract my interest in their way of life. The prospect of a life long commitment as a
Brother (which meant the loss of freedom and independence) didn't however quite appeal to
me. But after more than a year of 'soul- searching' and with encouragement from my father,
I finally joined the Brothers in 1950 - a decision I never regretted.
After the initial preparation as a Brother, I was posted to St. Xavier's Institution, Penang,
where I served for more than seven years and where I immersed myself in the demanding
life-style of the Brothers (like waking up daily at 4.30am) and working in the school where
I served as Form Teacher, House Master etc.
The call for volunteers to work at the proposed Boys Town in favour of street children in
Madurai saw me leaving for India in January 1962. This was to be the first venture of the
La Salle Brothers in the sub- continent in this century. It didn't take much time to realize
that pioneering in a foreign land under primitive and demanding conditions was not that
easy especially when everything was in short supply including money and food.
In 1969 I had a posting to La Salle College, Bacolod, Philippines(now known as University
of St La Salle) where I was exposed to a different kind of life than what I experienced in
India. But the most unexpected appointment was to the Immaculate Heart College (all-girls
institution) Kagoshima Japan. I didn't have the remotest idea that some day I would be
teaching in Japan when I initiated the Student Exchange Programme - between St John's
Institution and the Immaculate Heart College of Japan, Several years later I also had the
satisfaction to see my book- -- Malaysian Catholic Schools at the Crossroads -published by
the De La Salle University, Manila.
On the home front, I had been Director of St Francis Institution Malacca, La Salle Klang,
and St John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur where I retired in I988. I had also been entrusted
with the setting up of the first Church-owned private school - Stella Maris Secondary
School in Kuala Lumpur. Since leaving Stella Maris in 2000 I have been serving as the
Executive Secretary General of the Malaysian Catholic Schools Council which looks after
the interests of all Catholic schools in Peninsular and east Malaysia.
You will note that the word retirement is not mentioned here and it was not a word in Br
Cassian's vocabulary. During the last seven years since the account was written he was busy
about many things right up to that fateful day, 20th July 2008, when he was admitted to
Tawakal Hospital for surgery.
When I first reported to PJ as Visitor in January 2007 he came to see me soon after. He
requested assistance to start a bible programme in conjunction the Catholic Bible School in
England. He had just passed his 80th birthday and I was very impressed that a Brother of his
age was still so full of vitality and seeking new pastures. Very inspiring indeed and some of
the graduates of this programme are with us today.
Now let me briefly rewind the clock back to his Novitiate days in I950. It was the custom
for Brothers to be given a new religious name. He was given the name Cassian after a rather
obscure 4th century martyr. However in the Novitiate he would have learned that our
Founder admired this saint very much and chose him to be a patron of our Institute. The
reason being that he was a teacher who fearlessly preached the truths of the faith to his
students despite the condemnation and persecution from the Emperor, Julian the Apostate.
In the end he was put to death by a group of disgruntled students using their metal writing
pens to stab him all over his body. St. De La Salle presented St Cassian’s zeal for the
education of the young and his courage in the face of all difficulties as an example for the
Brothers to follow. In his Meditation for the feast of St. Cassian which was then on 13
August he warned the Brothers in rather stark terms that the only thanks they should
expect for instructing children, especially the poor, is injury, insult, calumny, persecution
and even death. But that far from being discouraged, says De La Salle, this should spur the
Brothers on to work with even more affection for their students.
I really feel that Bro Cassian modeled himself on his patron saint. He also was a man of
great zeal and courage in the cause of human and spiritual education especially in the face
of difficulties and opposition. He was not called on to make the ultimate sacrifice for his
students but then I think there would be none more willing if he had to do so. There are so
many examples of this spirit of courageous zeal throughout his life: his volunteering to go
to India, his decision to teach in Japan, his enrollment in PhD studies in his late sixties, his
building initiatives especially here at St John's despite shortage of money, his resilience
after recurring bouts of ill health but perhaps especially his refusal to grow old and throw in
the towel.
If any moment in his life should typify the Cassian sprit it would have to be his devotion to
our mission in India. This was very dear to his heart all his life. Fortunately, he has left us a
valuable memoir on his experience as a member of the first group of pioneering Brothers to
go to India in I962 which we can refer to.
He tells us that in preparation to travel to India he was given a long list of items to bring
with him. Among the more notable ones was a request to bring a double-barrelled shot gun
and a radio that would work on a car battery. . He says that "getting a certificate to export a
doublebarrelled shot-gun from the Penang Police went without a hitch. However, bringing
a shot-gun into India gave me endless trouble! 'It’s not really clear from the account if the
gun ever actually reached India!
He served in Boys’ Town Madurai and Tuticorin and became the first recruiter for Lasallian
vocations. One of his first juniors was a young boy called Joseph Fernando who is now
Secretary for Formation for our Institute. At the end of telling his Indian story, he sums up
his experience as follows:
My years in India over a span of five years had a strong impact on my life and has
remained ever since. Even forty years after I left India, I can still recall in graphic detail
the events, persons, challenges, disappointments, joys and achievements in the process of
re- incarnating the Lasallian mission during the initial years at the Boys' Town, Madurai
and Tuticorin. Even today I thank the Good Lord for having given me this unique
47
opportunity of working for and serving the poor and the marginalised in the country of my
forebears. Humanly speaking, the experience that I had in India is something that I cannot
easily forget. Other than the Brothers with whom I worked closely in Madurai and
Tuticorin I continue to cherish my former recruits - the Juniors, Postulants and the Indian
Brothers who so generously responded to the invitation to join the Brothers in spite of the
many inconveniences and constraints under which they lived and worked.
Today we can give thanks to God that our mission in India is flourishing with more than 70
Brothers, most of whom are young men. If we should want a monument to the memory of
Cassian then it would have to be the modem day Lasallian mission in India, now ably led by
Bro David as Delegate and Br Doss as President. The harvest there is indeed plentiful but
there is still great need to support the workers in the harvest. Bro Cassian with the help and
support of Irene worked tirelessly over the years to provide some support and rallied old
students from former schools like La Salle Klang to provide financial assistance. Perhaps,
now a permanent Fund for India in Cassian's name could be considered.
There is so much more to say about the zeal and courage of Cassian, about his character and
the legacy he has left us. It would take a long time to do it justice. So just let me conclude
by praying a simple litany of thanksgiving for the gift of Br Cassian’s life to us.
We thank you Lord for his love for his vocation as a La Salle Brother and his fidelity to his
calling for nearly 60 years.
We thank you Lord for the generosity of the Pappu family in giving their talented son as a
gift to the Brothers and for their great affection and love for him over the years.
We thank you Lord for his devotion to his religious duties, for his quiet but deep spirituality
which touched the hearts of all who walked with him. We thank you Lord for his jovial
good humoured personality and his infectious laugh which exuded happiness wherever he
went.
We thank you Lord for his spirit of community, for his approachability, for his joyous
celebration of birthdays and other feasts with his brothers.
We thank you Lord for his exceptional musical talents which brought pleasure to our
communities and to his students through the musicals he produced and the choirs, brass
bands and orchestras he organised.
We thank you Lord for his courage to fight injustices and for his righteous anger in the face
of discrimination and deceit inside and outside our Institute.
We thank you Lord, for the shoulder he offered for the weak, the sad, the lonely, to lean on.
We thank you Lord that he was your instrument in the promotion of private Catholic
education in the country and that the Stella Maris School continues to flourish and expand.
We thank you Lord for the example he has given to older Brothers to defy the onset of age
and to continue actively in the apostolate.
We thank you Lord for his 496 days of stillness, for the silent witness, for the Brothers,
family and friends who accompanied him on this final and mysterious journey.
In 2000 he celebrated the Golden Jubilee of becoming a Brother. Commenting on the
celebrations he told a newspaper reporter "I am surprised and touched by how the teachers
and students have worked to organise a Mass and concert for me. I did not expect anything
as I am happy to continue serving God to the best of my ability"
Bro. Cassian, you have served God to the best of your ability and we trust that you have
now returned to him to occupy the everlasting home not made by human hands which St.
Paul tells us about in the first reading. We ask you to watch over and help us, your family,
your Brothers, your friends, those for whom you did so much, till such time that we all meet
with God in Heaven. As we bid you a sad farewell we say in a Spirit of Faith with our
Founder, his own last words on his deathbed: - -- We adore in all things the will of God in
our regard.

Brother Harold Reynolds

Bro Cassian was “the young Brother with the camera” when our paths first crossed in SXI
way back in 1952. At any school or Brothers’ gathering, there he was, snapping away with
expertise and enthusiasm
But there was much more to him than energy and skill. When asked to go to India in the
late fifties and join a small group of Brothers to re-establish the District of India, Cassian
went with a smile to the land of his forefathers, to serve as teacher and recruiter. One of his
first recruits, Bro. Joseph Fernando, is now in charge of Formation for the PARC region.
His pioneering work in India was to leave Cassian with an abiding love for the Brothers’
there and their various apostolates. Down the years he solicited donations from his affluent
Old Boys and friends to build their novitiate and to improve facilities in their schools for the
underprivileged and the many orphans the Brothers look after. OLAK – the Old Lasallians
Association of Klang - has for years now been generous supporters of the poor and
disadvantaged boys and girls the Brothers serve in India.
Cassian’s heart was with these children of India to the very end. On the eve of his last
journey to hospital, instructions were left for Ang Pow money he had received from Old
Boys and friends that was in a locked drawer in his room to be sent to India. Sadly, during
renovations to the Brothers’ quarters, the lock was broken and the money stolen.
Cassian was multi-talented, creative, and more than willing ‘to have a go’. He put up a large
classroom block in La Salle School, Klang, when everybody told him it couldn’t be done,
that it was not the time to build. Cassian just went ahead, built it and saw that it was paid
off quickly.
He took over Stella Maris School, Kuala Lumpur, in his old age and, as our American
confreres say, gave it his best shot. He tended to give everything his best shot! Wherever
Cassian went, you could bet that a musical would soon be in the offing. And so it was at
Stella Maris. Cassian believed in the educative value of music, that it was therapeutic and
children should be introduced early to its beauty, rhythm and charm. Here he stood on firm
ground with the late Bro. Casimir Hannon and the late Bro. Celestine Jennings.
49
Later still, even more into his old age, Cassian introduced the Bible Knowledge courses of
the Catholic Bible College of England to the parishioners of St. John’s Cathedral, Kuala
Lumpur. He was never one to spend much time watching TV. He loved life, creativity,
beauty. He wasn’t one to ask: “What’s happening?” but much more likely to be behind what
was happening.
He had the happy knack of being able to surround himself with talented and generous
friends – Old Boys, mostly - who worked with him in bringing his dreams to fruition
quickly, efficiently and way below cost. One such is Old Xaverian, Architect Jimmy Lim.
Another, Dr. Soosai of Stella Maris Clinic, Port Klang. Dr. Soosai. An Old Johannian,
looked after Cassian’s not inconsiderable medical needs at no cost to the Brothers for more
than thirty years. Bro. Tom Lavin Vtr has already paid public tribute to Miss Irene Tan.
There were many such good and generous people in his life.
Though a man of prayer and deep faith, Cassian had his faults like the rest of us. When he
felt strongly on an issue, he expressed himself forcefully and sometimes tactlessly. When
these thoughts were put on paper and became common knowledge, confreres were hurt and
friendships broken. Thankfully, this didn’t happen often.
On my visits to Kuala Lumpur, after Mass in the cathedral, we would head for a favourite
Indian restaurant at the foot of Bukit Nanas and there, over a breakfast of roti channai
finished off with teh tarek , he would bring me up to date with news of the District. I will
miss those times together and I join with the Brothers in honouring his life and
contributions to the Institute and the Church in Malaysia and India. The District of Penang
will not see his like again. Today, in Cheras, he shares hallowed ground with his old friend,
Bro. Joseph Yeoh, former Auxiliary Visitor. God rest his soul.
Hilary D’Cruz
Reverend Brother Cassian Pappu who passed away on 29th November 2009 after a long
spell of illness, will always be remembered by those connected with St. Francis' Institution,
Malacca. He first served as a teacher from 1967 to 1969 and later returned to helm the
School from 1972 to 1976. I became acquainted with him in 1967 when he was
affectionately known as one half of the "S.F.I. Black and White Minstrel Show" wherein
his counterpart was the late Brother Edmund Mathews. They formed a formidable twosome
who indulged in long evening walks around Bukit China, thus earning the perfect sobriquet
from a popular TV show. During his tenure as a teacher, I enjoyed a tenuous association
with the 'Franciscan Players' a drama group inaugurated by Shenton de Rozario (now
resident in Australia) . Bro Cassian was eminently successful in the production of two
musical shows entitled 'The Government Inspector' and 'Fiddler on the Roof'' both of which
received considerable plaudits from culture-starved Malaccans! He and Brother Edmund
subsequently became pillars in the Group together with the Marbeck sisters, Fifi Chong and
Philip Daly (parents of Elaine Daly who is currently acclaimed in national theatre ranks)
and a host of other local teachers inclined to the thespian arts.
Mr. Choe Sim Chye, the long-serving Editor of the 'Green and White' quarterly now recalls
how Brother Cassian reflected the true meaning of the School motto of 'Age Quod Agis'
('whatever you do, do well') upon his return as Brother Director with Brother Edmund as
his able deputy when the student-mark topped 2,000 in 1972. What he had acquired in the
interim period led to the blossoming of the School in the academic and sporting spheres. His
experiment of creating a special 'Upper Form V' following the devastating failure rate in
the very first SPM Bahasa Malaysia Examination with extra lessons and creative teachers
led to a reversal in form in the ensuing years.
All this can be readily attributed to his varied experience as the Sub-Director of Boys'
Town in Madurai (India), the founder of a La Salle High School in Tuticorin (India), his
role as a lecturer at the St. Joseph's Novitiate (Penang) and at the La Salle University
College in Bacolod (Philippines). A further feather in his cap followed his stint as a
Professor at the Immaculate Heart College in Kagoshima (Japan) resulting in a 'cultural
exchange' programme involving St. John's Institution (Kuala Lumpur), La Salle School
(Petaling Jaya) and S.F.I. supported by Professor Mishima Moritake of the Human
Resources Faculty at the Kagoshima College. When Bro. Ambrose Loke took over as
Director in 1989 after the closing down of the Resources Faculty in Japan, he undertook a
number of visits to Japan to fine-tune the initial effort to operate as a 'Homestay'
programme which has since developed into a truly 'La Sallian' one embracing the students
of S.F.I. and Immaculate Heart College. In 2009 the set-up has been extended to include
Palembang (Indonesia) because of the historical relationship with St. Francis Xavier and
the three territories. It continues to flourish , thus preserving the memory of Brother
Cassian in "all that is valiant and true" according to the Franciscan tradition. The other
notable achievement of Brother Cassian was the publication of his book 'Malaysian
Catholic Schools at the Crossroads' in 1998 which has been described by veteran teacher
Mr. Sim Bin Teck as a unique document highlighting the importance of the contributions
made by the La Sallian Brothers in this country.
His legacy has left a definite mark in Malacca and I can still recall his infectious laugh and
his innate sense of humour which, in tandem with the work of his great pal Brother
Edmund, continues to touch us in a special manner when remembering our Alma Mater.
Sister Monica Newman and
Sister Mary Louise Byrne
On the morning of the 25th April 1991, Sister Monica Newman and Sister Mary Louise
Byrne embarked on an overseas experience that would introduce them to friends for life.
Two Parramatta Sisters of Mercy from Australia flew out from Sydney bound for England
and then down in the far south of the country would participate in a three month renewal
course at Hawkestone Hall. It was there at that time that we, Sr. Monica and Sr. Louise,
came into contact with a variety of wonderful Religious from all walks of our vowed life.
None other became more endeared to us than a singular, conspicuous La Salle Brother from
Malaysia. Brother Cassian, an educator, an administrator of renown in Malaysia, but
especially Brother was remarkable for his pride in being the Religious that he was, and
proud of belonging to his Congregation and his Community.
Brother stood out for his spirituality, his respect for all persons, his generosity, his
sensitivity and thoughtfulness, but above all he extended a contagious sense of humour, of

51
laughter, a bright carefree outlook on all minor concerns. Brother was someone who could
make you feel happy. Happy because he himself was so happy, in other words he lived
without the fear of God and was always united in His love.
At the conclusion of the three months Renewal Course, Sister Louise and Sister Monica
were generously granted some traveling time on their return trip to Sydney. On the due date,
as they boarded a bus for a tour of Europe, there boarding and unbeknown to them was the
smiling, chuckling Brother Cassian going on the same tour. They could not believe it, this
man they now knew so well would be a traveling companion. Brother was in the company
of two very distinguished lady friends, his carers and advisers, and experienced travelers.
The trio soon became a group of five to do a lengthy Insight bus tour of Europe. The entire
time together was memorable and exciting and having Brother Cassian with us at all times
assured our security and cemented our friendship. We had become friends for life with this
remarkable, unforgettable human being and exemplary Religious.
Over the ensuing twenty eight years, there have been visits by Brother Cassian and his
devoted friend Irene Tan to Australia where they were always special distinguished guests,
and we have visited them in Malaysia. We were always treated with generosity, hospitality
and real friendship. As recently as mid 2008 Brother like a thorough gentleman cared for his
visitors, together with the kindness of Irene.
Sadly this was to be our last connection in this life with Brother, as he suffered a long
illness cared for every day by Irene, but then he subsequently died as he lived offering his
all to the God to do with him as He pleased.
Blest are we to have known this now Saint in Heaven and upon one day meeting him we
can expect to see that broad smile, that picture of happiness and hear that laughter that was a
part of this special man that so unexpectedly came into our lives so many years ago. May
Brother Cassian rest in peace and prepare to welcome us.
And now Sr. Louise writes. On the First Sunday of Advent in 2009 1 received a phone call
from Irene Tan to inform me of Brother Cassian's passing. It had been a long struggle for
Brother and 1 feel sure he would say to me, “Thank Irene and her family for the care and
support they have given me."
Irene you were so kind to Brother, we know that kindness was a deep love for what Brother
stood for. A man of deep Faith, service to his Community and the youth of Malaysia, and
compassion for the poor youth of India.
Brother enjoyed his ministry as an educator. He reminisced that he liked teaching, had
worked hard and hoped that his pupils would benefit from his efforts. The fact that so many
of his pupils have continued to connect with Brother Cassian bears testimony to that.
In spite of his ups and downs, Brother Cassian was a man who loved life. He was warm and
loving to all whom he met, having the ability to make you feel at home with him. My visit
to Kuala Lumpur in 1997 to the humble home of the Brothers and sharing stories with them
was a Retreat for me. 1 hope the memory will always stay with me. Thank you Brother.
Sister Louise Byrne.
Ms Irene Tan
LAUNCHING OF
BROTHER CASSIAN PAPPU F.S.C.
ENDOWMENT FUND
13th March 2010
Ms. Irene Tan (former teacher of S.M. La Salle Klang) speaks:
Brother Anthony Rogers, Area Director of De La Salle Brother of Malaysia, Reverend
Brothers , distinguished guests, friends and fellow La Sallians,
1 take great pleasure in extending to you a very warm welcome to this memorial fellowship
dinner at Cassian Kitchen. My special thanks and appreciation are also extended to all of
you who are gathered here this evening and to all those who have helped in one way or
another in making this evening's memorial fellowship dinner a success. How precious and
wonderful for all of us to meet each other this evening this will strengthen our relationship
and friendship and above all our Lasallian fellowship. What an overwhelming response with
more than 120 of us gathered here this evening! Brother Visitor Thomas Lavin asked me to
extend his apology for not being able to attend, this function, because he had to attend the
memorial mass for Brother Peter Phelan in Kota Kinabalu this morning. Brother Visitor
sends his regards to everyone of you.
My family and 1 were very close to Brother Cassian for many years (since 1976). Brother
Cassian evangelised more than half the number of my family members and eventually
converted us to the Catholic faith. At baptism, Brother Cassian became godfather to my
brother, Joseph: my nephew, Cassian and my grand nephew, Ethan. Today also happens to
be my beloved father's 11th death anniversary. Brother Cassian baptised him just five hours
before he died.
Many of us here have worked, laughed and ate with Brother Cassian and so it is very
difficult to accept his death. However, his passing was indeed a blessed release for him after
suffering for 496 days. We shall be happy today that he had gone for his well deserved
eternal reward in Heaven.
Brother Cassian's love for the poor and passion for the Lasallian mission is a legacy that we
should acquire and pass on to every Lasallian. That way we will pay him very rich tribute.
Brother Cassian was a pioneer of the Lasallian mission in India in the 1960's. His devotion
to the Brothers' mission in India was very dear to his heart all his life. Today, we can give
thanks to God that the Lasallian mission in India is flourishing with more than 70 Brothers,
53
most of whom are young men. The harvest there is indeed plentiful but there is a great need
to support the Brothers in the harvest. Brother Cassian with the help and support of friends
and past students from former schools like La Salle Klang were able to provide some
support and financial assistance to the Indian mission over the years. Brother Visitor
Thomas Lavin mentioned in his Eulogy at Brother Cassian's funeral mass that a permanent
fund for India in Brother Cassian's name could be considered. So, this evening, we are
going to launch Brother Cassian Pappu F.S.C. Endowment Fund to help the poorest of
the poor in India. Please donate generously!
The Brothers of the Delegation of India have recently started a new mission in Mosavadi,
northern part of Tamil Nadu where most number of "dalits" – untouchables, live. There is
no good Primary education for the children. The children look malnourished. The school
presents a deserted look. The church authorities have abandoned it because the people are
poor and can't afford to pay for their education, a few religious congregations have refused
to take up the school. There is no possibility for Secondary education in the 40 km radius.
There are two goverment run schools in that area but girls can't go to those schools because
of the distance and want of security. Teenage pregnancy is quite common here. The youths
move away from the villages around Mosavadi in search of jobs in nearby big cities. They
suffer a lot because they are not trained in any trades. Hence, they are paid low and live in
unhealthy conditions. Because of some caste clashes, high caste people imprison several
youths for many years. Most of these people are victims of social injustice and violence.
Poverty is very acute characteristic of dalits. They is great scope for formal and non-formal
education.
The money collected for the Endowment Fund will be kept in the Central Bank of India as
fixed deposit and only the interest of 7.5% p.a. will be spent for the educational needs of the
poor children at Mosavadi..
Brother Harold Reynolds, a good friend of Brother Cassian and also to many of us here,
another beloved Brother Director of La Salle Klang, has this to say: "May our gracious God
open the curtains of Heaven just a little tonight and give Brother Cassian a glimpse of us
now. How his eyes will light up and a happy smile crease his face as he realises that his
beloved boys and girls in our Indian schools are to be remembered in a Foundation in his
name! His eyes will mist over too, but they would be tears of joy that the work, he started
lives on after him. And with a kindly smile, God will draw the curtain again".
Have a very enjoyable evening!
May God bless you all

Br Antony Arulsamy
Bro.Cassian as a pioneer:
Bro. Cassian Pappu came from Malaysia in 1961 to work as a pioneer in Boys Town
,Madurai ,India. He was a man of great determination and commitment like any other
pioneer work in the beginning, there were difficult situations, there was no electricity and
no water on pipe connection. The brothers with the help the people had to carry water from
the well. There were always of questioning about the future apostolate of the brothers .they
trusted to all to God’s Providence to guide them.
Bro. Cassian Pappu was the first sub director of Boy’s Town community and the first
recruiter for the brothers in India. He worked three years in Boy’s Town and he animated
the Boy’s well in Boy’s town. He sent them for the technical training at Madurai. There are
very grateful for his service.
Bro. Cassian at Tuticorin:
In 1964 a new community was formed in Tuticorin. Brothers took over the animation of the
Parish school Bro. Cassian upgraded into a high school. Bro. Cassian was a cheerful, active
and dynamic personality, he permeated and pervaded the whole school with his meticulous
presence and teaching.
Bro.Cassian stayed in Tuticorn for five years. Besides teaching in the school he started a
school band which earned a good name in and around the town. With his sound musical
skills, he shaped the school choir and it become very popular and the people invited the
choir for church services. Unfortunately he had to leave India due to his poor health
conditions.

As a vocation promoter:
Bro. Cassian was the first vocation promoter in India. It was a difficult task when the clergy
(Let alone the laity) did not even know who the De La Salle Brothers were. He was the sole
representative of the Brothers at vocation Exhibitions organized by the various dioceses.
He moved tirelessly from parish to parish, very often dressed in Black Robe and white
rabata to let the distinctive Lasallian dress be known. When he wore the black robe the
people were very curious to know about the De La Salle Brothers. It was his specialty to
recruit the vocations for brotherhood. Bro.Arulsamy and Bro.Joseph Fernando were the
fruits of his vocation promotion work. Bro. Joseph Fernando is the international formation
secretary. Bro. Arulsamy is the pioneer in many of the Indian Apostolates.
Pearl Schumacher
Precious Loan
God blesses us each with so many things
And sometimes that blessing is a child
He chooses a special angel, picked just for you
And loans them to you for a while.

From the time they arrive

They hold your heart in their hands
And add countless precious moments to your life
And each night we bow down and ask the good Lord above
55
To protect them and keep them from strife.
For this oh so precious gift,
God doesn't ask a large fee.
"Just love and care for them,
and teach them of Me".

So we do what we can,
We work hard and we pray
And watch them blossom and grow
With each passing day.

Not one of us knows how long they'll be here

Or when God will call for his loan,
And take that special angel, picked just for you
Back to his glorious home.

But he made us a promise and I have no doubt,

He will carry you through this great sorrow.
Because when it's your time, he'll be first to greet you
And you'll be blessed with an eternity of tomorrows.

In Loving Memory of Brother Cassian

Pearl Schumacher
A Tribute to a Remarkable Man
When I was approached by Irene to write this tribute my first thoughts was to write how
heroically Brother Cassian fought and what a tremendous battle it was and to quote the
famous John Donne that death was not proud. But I believe the poem is best suited for
expressing just what a gift Brother Cassian was to my family and the incalculable others I'm
sure.
My family met Brother Cassian 27 years ago. Back then it was Bros. Cassian, Matthew,
Damian and John. Fond memories fill my head, but no memory was more profound than the
ever present enigmatic Brother Cassian. On many occasions Brother Cassian made sure that
his fellow Brothers were comfortable and were not short of anything. Daily I would see
Brother John collecting pieces of paper, stationary and etc. ready for the students that would
arrive for classes, when Brother John was short of anything Brother Cassian would be the
first one he went to.
Likewise when I was I0 years old Brother Cassian introduced the computer class in La Salle
Secondary School. Brother Cassian was filled with excitement, he spoke to everyone about
it and got everyone involved. He influenced my mother to enrol me in this class. It took a
lot of persuasion from Brother Cassian to convince me that this computer class was that
good. In good faith and trusting that Brother Cassian would never lead me astray I went for
the first session. When I walked into the class I was greeted by gaping mouths and pairs and
pairs of stunned eyes. Our dear Brother Cassian had left out a very important detail about
this class that I would be the only girl and the only one that was in primary school. I
remember waiting in anticipation for the session to end and I ran out of the classroom
absolutely traumatized. I burst into the Brothers quarters and told my mother that that was
it. I am never going back.
A few days later Brother Cassian saw me and gave me this most cheeky smile and assured
me that everything was alright that my being the only girl was not inconvenient but a
welcome addition. Needless to say he didn't accept "NO" for an answer and instead
compromised by walking me to all the classes or meeting me after classes. My feelings at
that moment that I wanted to just keel over and die just made no big never mind to Brother
Cassian. In short after several months I adjusted, adapted and everything did turn out as he
had promised and I graduated top of the class.
When I returned from the US after so many years when we finally met, I presented Brother
Cassian with not one but 8 gold medals 4 of which were for Computer Programming,
Software Development, Software Design and Information Technology. The pride that filled
his eyes was priceless. Brother Cassian patted me on my head and told me that I was the
one that grew up right before his eyes. Little did I know that Brother Cassian would be the
angel to guide me and lead me to the path I eventually took. I suppose all those tactful and
well placed words of encouragement paid off.
Over the years Brother Cassian has done for many what he did for me with a reputation that
precedes him to this day. In my youth I never saw him turn anyone away, the hungry on the
street, students without direction, people with fear in their hearts, the desperate and those in
despair as he was to me he gave us an eager ear, a willing spirit, his ferociously strong
heart, his precious time, his strength, his energy and showered us with innumerable acts of
generosity.
We pay tribute today to Brother Cassian who has ever so gently brought us here together
with the help of Irene to celebrate his life, his works and his memory. I believe that Brother
Cassian lives in us and through us every time we repeat the simple acts Brother Cassian
imparted to us he will never be forgotten. I am grateful for all that he has done for me and
without a doubt he contributed to my success and to my person in every way. I will forever
treasure our friendship and I shall miss him dearly. There is no doubt in my mind that when
my day comes Brother Cassian will be there to greet me and walk me back to the good Lord
with the same pride, wide smile and infectious laughter.
FLORA 0. GO
Brother Cash, the name always brings back very pleasant memories; memories of our happy
togetherness with Ms. Irene Tan's big family whom he evangelised and eventually
converted to the catholic faith. His ministry of presence in simple family meals with no
occasion as well as in big family affairs speaks well of his patience, concern, musical talent,
jolly company, as well as deep spirituality.
Another family 1 associate Bro. Cash with is Dr. Felix and Ann Soosay's family also with
57
their deep love for him and concern for his health and wellbeing.
Bro. Cash came to De La Salle University - Manila in the sixties to work for his Master's
degree in Education. He cross-enrolled in the Graduate School of the University of Sto.
Tomas and landed in my class "The Psychology of Language" in the 2nd semester of 1969.
He was a hardworking student and got the highest mark in class. He was always “a jolly
good fellow" and mixed well with everyone with his versatility and gusto for food. His
laughter was unmistakeable in the corridors during break time and after class.
1 visited him with some mutual friends like Fr. Pedro Galende, OSA . Director of Agustin
Museum in Intramuros, Manila;and Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, F.S.C., former President of De
La Salle University - Manila for no less than 12 years.
The visits included Malacca, Klang and Kuala Lumpur where he was assigned as
headmaster of La Salle schools. He impressed me as a Robinson Crusoe type of pioneer and
builder in both Malacca and Klang when he was assigned to these two places, he was able
to raise funds for the construction of much needed school buildings. His strong charisma
helped him to harness the talents, skills and cooperation of the teachers and magnetise the
support of parents and benefactors. The schools grew under his management and
supervision.
He had a few years experience teaching English in Kagoshima, Japan. He was much loved
by both the students and Sisters of the school. He decided to return home after he had a mild
stroke.
At my prodding, he was able to earn his Ph.D. in English and Education from De La Salle
University with Brother Andrew Gonzalez, the President, as the mentor. He had written a
book entitled "Malaysian Catholic Schools at the Crossroads".
He was well travelled. He budgeted his time well and found time to travel with his teachers
to Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong, North Korea, Japan etc. on package tours. We are
believers of educating ourselves through travel.
Brother Cash knew how to live well and taught others how to enjoy life with wholesome
fun. He was very rich in many ways and helped to enrich and nourish the lives of his fellow
brothers in the community. He shared with them the richness of God's abundant blessings
that came his way. He lived a happy full life with a big, kind and generous heart. Yet, he
remained simple, humble, benevolent and deeply spiritual to the very end at 82.
AARON NICHOLAS
Form 3 Stella Maris School KL
I, Aaron Nicholas, of Form Three, Stella Maris Secondary School Kuala Lumpur would like
to do my part in remembering our late Bro.Cassian Pappu by writing it into a story.
When I was a child, 7 years of age, my grandmother, Gertrude Sibert, the private secretary
to our late Bro.Lawrence Spitzig, used to take me along to work at the Brothers quarters at
the St.John's Institution, Kuala Lumpur. One day Bro.Lawrence approached me and said
"How are you feeling' young fellow?" he asked with a very Canadian accent and I was too
shy to reply to his query. Then he said "How about you stretch your legs? Why don't you
take a walk around the brothers’ quarters” And gladly I did. So I set off wandering along the
corridors and the different rooms in the quarters when I stumbled upon this room. The first
thought that went through my mind was "I smell food." And I was right it turned out to be
the brothers' dining room.
It was then that I met this nice man in white robes. Immediately he asked me if I was lost
but I was too scared to answer him. Then he said "Is your mother around? Is she Gertrude? I
replied, " yes". Then he asked if I would like a sandwich and being a 'growing child', I
immediately said yes. This was my first encounter with Bro. Cassian and the other brothers'.
On another day while I was playing games with Bro.Lawrence in his office, in came
Bro.Cassian with a rather big box. As he set it down, I gazed inside only to find that they
were women's shoes. Then he stood up and said to my grandmother: "Have a look at these
shoes. If any of them fits you then they are yours"; and with a smile, he left the room. I
enjoyed visiting the Bros. quarters and had the chance to visit it every Saturday.
The other time that I had any contact with Bro.Cassian was when I attended the morning
Mass in St John's Cathedral where I would meet Bro. Lawrence, Bro. Patrick, Bro. Matthew
and the other brothers who attended the daily Mass service.
I was very fortunate to attend Stella Maris Primary School in Ampang. It was my
grandmother that recommended many of her friends to send their children to this school. A
few of her friends remarked: "Stella Maris? Never heard of it. Is it good?" Her reply was
always 'See for yourself'. And they never regretted sending their children to this school. It
was wonderful to see Bro. Cassian, His Grace Bishop Murphy Pakiam and other brothers
present during the official opening of the Primary School in 2003. Mr. James Khaw was my
Headmaster at the time.
Upon completion of Year 6 in Ampang, I transferred to Stella, Maris Secondary School in
Pudu. It was on the day of the orientation that I noticed this room at the entrance of the
school. It was called a museum. I decided to take a look inside. Among the various reading
materials on the walls and boards there was one in particular that caught my eye. There was
the man in white robes - Bro. Cassian. I told my grandmother "I know this man". Then she
told me that it was Brother Cassian. She also told me that Bro.Cassian was the founder of
this school and that I should be proud to be in it. And up till this day, I am.
Two years passed at Stella Maris and I was in form II. That was around the time that he got
very sick and had to be operated on. After the operation, he was placed in the ICU. I was
privileged to see him on many occasions in the Tawakal Hospital. We prayed and sang
songs for him when we visited him at the Tawakal Hospital and we did the same when he
was moved to the Lecadia Nursing Home in Pudu. At the end of the year 2009 there were
extra classes and I was asked to attend them. It was then when I got the news that our
beloved Bro.Cassisan had passed away.
At the Funeral Mass in St. John's Cathedral, I was given a chance to be in the Guard of
Honor when his casket entered the church. That was my final contribution to a dear brother
who was so dedicated in his work in education. Although I did not know him that well at
least I had the chance to say goodbye to him.
59
As a Stella Marisian I would say that he has truly left behind a legacy, one that I am proud
to be apart of.

Curriculum Vitae
Date & Place of Birth: 20 January 1927. Taiping
EARLY TRAINING AND FORMATION AS A BROTHER:
St George's Institution, Taiping
St Joseph's Novitiate, Penang
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
1948 Cambridge School Certificate, Taiping
1955 Teacher's Certificate - SJTC, Penang
1957 Normal Class Teacher's Certificate. MOE, Penang.
1961 Diploma in Religious Studies - Rome
1961 Diploma in Photography. England. (Distance Learning)
1964 Diploma in Commerce Commercial University, India
1968 B. A. De La Salle University. Manila. Philippines
1969 M. A. De La Salle University, Manila. Philippines
1976 M. Ed. The Victoria University of Manchester. England.
1980 C.I L. Rome
1991 Hawkstone Hall Pastoral and Study Centre, England
1995 Ph. D. De La Salle University, Manila. Philippines.
ASSIGNMENTS AS A BROTHER:
1954-61 Teacher. St. Xavier's Institution, Penang.
1962-64 Sub-Director. St. Pius X Boys'-Town, India
1965-66 Recruiter/Founder P.M. Ornella La Salle Tuticorin. Tamil Nadu. South India
1966 Sub-Director. St. Joseph's Novitiate, Penang
1967- Teacher: St. Francis Institution, Melaka
1969-70 Lecturer: University of St. La Salle, Bacolod, P.I.
1971 Teacher: St. Anthony's School, T Anson
1972-76 Director/Principal St. Francis’ Institution Malacca
1977-82 Director/Principal: La Salle School, Klang
1983-88 Director/Principal St. John's Institution
1989-91 Professor: Immaculate Heart College, Kagoshima
1992-94 Principal: Stella Maris Secondary. KL
1997-2000 Principal: Stella Maris Secondary KL.
2001-03 Secretary General: Malaysian Catholic Education Council
2004- Advisor to the Malaysian Catholic Education Council
LANDMARK ACHIEVEMENTS
1996 Publication: Book entitled: "Malaysian Catholic Schools at the Crossroads"
1998 Established Student Exchange with Immaculate Heart College, Kagoshima, Japan &
Malaysian Lasallian students.
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