Fr. Allwyn Fernandes, SJ
06 July 1935 – 21 October 2009

in Bombay on 06 July 1935, Alwyn was the eldest of 7 siblings (2 brothers, 5 sisters).  After finishing SSC from St. Stanislaus, he joined the Society of Jesus on 20 June 1954 and was ordained on 24 March 1966.

After spending three years working in the districts, Fr. Alwyn Fernandes was trained for the Retreat Apostolate and spent the rest of his life in this ministry.  He had been Parish Priest of St. Anne’s Parish, Mazagaon, and Superior of St. Mary’s, Seva Niketan and  the  Retreat  House  communities.  In addition, he had taken up CLC work, and from 1980 he had helped to prepare lay leaders in the spirit of the Exercises. He was National Vice-Ecclesiastical Assistant of the CLC for seven years  (1986-93).

He was much appreciated as a spiritual guide. Much of his time was spent in spiritual accompaniment  through the Exercises and in administering  the sacrament of reconciliation.

It was Fr. Aloysius Coyne, one of our Previous Provincials, who sowed in him the seed of the Retreat Ministry when he was still a Novice.  That bit of advice served as a launching pad for him to pursue the careful study and direction of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius through courses undertaken in the US and Canada.  The arduous work of directing 30-day retreats was his special joy.  He adhered strictly to the Exercises and had directed scores of priests, seminarians, Sisters, Lay-leaders and youth both Catholic and non-Christian.  He had given retreats abroad in the US, Canada, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, Thailand and Sri Lanka, not  to  mention  retreats  in  many  parts  of  India.

The Bethany Sisters with whom he had been associated for more than twenty-five years had found him a person who is human, understanding, challenging, friendly, humorous and experienced in spiritual matters.  Others have testified to the fact that he had taught them how to pray, that the Bible began to speak to them more personally, that he is creative in incorporating modern methods of psychology like Transactional Analysis to facilitate the growth of retreatants, that he had helped people to discern their religious vocation, that his person-oriented approach of following up an individual’s growth even after the duration of a retreat through regular correspondence and personal remembrances.  His appearance was marked by an overall attitude of peace and love.  He respected the freedom of each person and patiently encouraged his/her growth.  He had a special regard for the lonely and those with a poor self-image.  He inspired others by his utter simplicity, openness, serenity and depth of conviction.  He had accompanied many a retreatant in his/her growth in spiritual maturity and personal integration.  They have acknowledged that his directed retreats have brought about a qualitative change in their lives.  His review of prayer had enabled them to go back, evaluate and improve their prayer life.  He was a good listener, a man of compassion. The spirit of surrender and obedient acceptance of God’s will is a trademark of those persons whom  he  had  directed.

Over the past 15 years or so his health had deteriorated because of a heart problem compounded with high-diabetes. Despite these physical handicaps he readily participated in community discussions and practices, offered himself willingly for a limited range of ministries and made himself available for spiritual direction and retreat ministry.  Within the community he radiated a quiet serenity and joy, readily acknowledged his weaknesses and joyfully accepted whatever the Lord may have in store for him. 

His health deteriorated sharply in the last two months, which he spent in hospital.  We are sure that the Lord, whom he served so faithfully for fifty-five years, was there to welcome him when he made his final transition heavenwards on 21st October 2009.

Fr. Simon Fernandes, ,SJ