Final Journey of Br Baptist Rodrigues OCD
The much-loved, Br. Baptist Rodrigues of St. Joseph, lovingly called Br. Batti breathed his last on 3rd October 2023. He was on dialysis for more than four years; his condition worsened recently. Carmelites of the KG Province are deeply saddened by his demise, and so are his dear family members. The funeral rite took place on the 6th of October 2023. Many flocked to Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill-Mangaluru, to pay a final farewell to dear Br. Batti.

The mortal remains were brought to the shrine at 01:00 p.m. The Bishop of Mangalore, His Excellency Peter Paul Saldanha, paid his respects to Br. Baptist. The congregation prayed the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet for the soul of Br Baptist. At 02:30 pm, the Carmelite Friars prayed the Office for the Dead, commending the soul of Br. Batti into God’s care. The shrine was filled with people who had known Br. Baptist and have experienced his tenderness.

The Eucharist was celebrated at 03:30 pm by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore Diocese. Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonzalves preached a meaningful homily and accentuated the value of Christian hope, and life eternal. Many Carmelite friars and priests of the Diocese concelebrated the Mass in fond affection to their dear Br. Baptist. Rev. Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, the Provincial Superior, Carmelites, Karnataka-Goa Province, Rev. Msgr. Maxim Noronha, Vicar General, Rev. Fr. Daniel Veigas OP, the Episcopal Vicar for Religious, Rev. Fr. Melvin D’Cunha, the Superior, Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonzalves, Rev. Fr. George Santhumayor were among those who concelebrated the Mass and paid their respects to Br. Batti.

Rev. Fr. George Santhumayor presented the eulogy and laid before the congregation, the humble yet generous life of Br. Baptist. Rev. Fr. Provincial spoke a few words thanking both the bishops and all who assisted Brother during his last days. Rev. Fr. Melvin D’Cunha, the Superior, expressed his gratitude to everyone for their service and love towards Br. Baptist, and for collaborating and contributing to this funeral service. The Liturgy was organized by Fr. Deep Fernandes, the Master of Students, along with the Brothers. In order to celebrate death as a hopeful passing from this world to eternity, and to symbolically signify it, candles were lit, to mark the arrival of God’s light upon the human soul.

After the Mass, Msgr. Maxim Noronha prayed the commendation of the dead, and thereafter, the mortal remains were carried in a solemn procession to the cemetery which included the carrying of the ‘symbolic candles of hope.’ Fr. Silvestre, D’Souza, the Provincial Superior, blessed the tomb and said the prayers at the cemetery where Br. Baptist was laid to rest. It was an afternoon of pain, where many bid adieu to a dear friar, a loving uncle, and a life-long friend. Goodbye, Dear Br. Baptist, you continue to live in our hearts!