Friday, June 9, 2017

BR. VINCENT SEQUEIRA



Brother Vincent Sequeira, cfc


 


Vincent Sequeira was born on 14th February 1975, the son of Alexander and Benedicta Sequeira who lived in Bajpe.  They had five children, Priscilla, Elias Prakash, Vincent, Wilfred and Melwyn, all of whom were students of St. Joseph’s High School, and, except for those who needed to do Science, the P.U. College as well.

Vincent was sufficiently impressed by what he saw of the life of the Christian Brothers that he decided to be a Brother himself.  He loved the life of the Brothers.  He enjoyed the sports and games that were part of the life he had adopted.  He set to work on developing his musical talent and his keen interest in crafts, in addition to his academic pursuits.  Every card he made for someone’s special occasion was unique  -  it spoke of thoughtful concern for an individual.

On the occasions that he visited home, he was the life and soul of the family.  He brought his fine musical sense to family gatherings.  He sought out his sisters and brothers and their families.  His letters home were regular, and the family eagerly awaited them :  he was in touch with every little detail of the life of each member of the family.  He even offered advice about things like employment opportunities and travel arrangements.  He remembered every individual’s birthday, and wedding anniversaries :  he would make a special card with his own hands, artistically decorated, and send it in time for the day.

It had become obvious to him, even before he took up his assignment as a teaching Brother in St. Mary’s Orphanage, Dum Dum, that he suffered from an  affliction that was beyond the capability of doctors to cure.  He was in extreme pain, for many months at a time.  One operation was performed :  it gave him some relief, but within a few months the problem recurred.  Doctors were apologetic that further operations were likely only to cause more misery.  He learned to live with this truth.

However, he faithfully continued to communicate with his family in his regular letters.  He made strenuous efforts to conceal his discomfort and pain from them.  In the last letters he wrote home, he describes the reopening of School.  He says that Brothers and staff had given him a good time on his birthday, but that he had tried to avoid them !    He refers to the Sports Day on the  18th of February 2001 :  that he ran in the relay, (barely concealing his pride that the Brothers’ team won).  He did concede that he felt quite tired at the end of the day, and wanted to rest.  But he expressed his concern for his brother Wilfred, who was about to attend an interview for a job.  Far from being low in spirits, he expressed the hope that he would go to the Brothers’ school in Kurseong for the summer holidays which were coming soon.

His Master had other plans for him.  The pain increased to the point where it was quite unbearable.  The only treatment available was palliative.  And he fell asleep in the Lord on the 18th of March 2001.  His grieving family requested the Brothers to bring his remains to Bajpe, which they did.  And now he rests in the parish cemetery, with the Irish Brother Elphege McLoughlin and the Australian Brother Justinian Harrison for company.

No comments: