Fr. Nevis Coutinho SJ
1924 - 2007

Gentle Snowflake

If a name shapes a person's character, it was proved in the life of Fr. Nevis Coutinho. Born on the feast of Our Lady of Snows in 1924, Nevis, like a snowflake, was gentle and calm, pure in body, mind, heart and soul. He spread serenity wherever he went and like the snow whenever he moved away, he took his presence with him leaving no trace of his existence except a deep, unbeknownst effect on people who came into his life.

His heart melted when he encountered the poor and weak, and his mind found ways of making a quiet difference in the lives of those who were deprived and burdened by the challenges of life. He used his gifts and talents to affect the lives and the hearts of all kinds of people. He reached out to friends and benefactors of the Society of Jesus as the Editor of "Our Vineyard" for over ten years. As an English teacher at St. Xavier's High School and at Vinayalaya, with the young men beginning their Jesuit life, Nevis taught the difficult lesson of distinguishing oneself by letting others shine while quietly moving away. Through his spiritual direction and retreats in different parts of India and the world, Nevis was the living presence of the father of the Prodigal son. He was like moon dust left in the hearts of so many long after the sun had risen.

Nevis' achievements were hidden to most Jesuits. After graduating from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai with a first class B.A.(Hons) he entered the Society at Vinayalaya and after the usual novitiate training and studies in Humanities, he was sent to Spain to study philosophy. He spent three years as a Regent and a year studying Marathi (at Manickpur) before going for Theology and being ordained in 1958 at St. Peter's Bandra.

Nevis' name is mostly associated with Vinayalaya, but few know that he was Rector of St. Xavier's H. School for three years, attended Tony de Mello's Sadhana course for a year, was Spiritual Father at the Papal Seminary for ten years and Asst. Parish Priest at St. Peter's for eight years. Nevis' entry and exit from an office to which he was appointed was done without any fanfare, with hardly a ripple in the ongoing life of the institution where he lived and served. Like a trusted friend whose value you do not recognize while he is with you, but miss very much when he has gone, Nevi left behind him a trail of quiet but happy memories, a gentle smiling face, a delightful sense of humor that never hurt anybody and model of charitable words and deeds that endeared him to all without exception. Nevis exemplified so well the prayer of John the Baptist, "He must increase and I must decrease."

Nevis spent the last five years of his life living a retired life in the Jesuit Nursing Home, reading, praying and quietly welcoming all who came to visit him. As his prostate trouble increased, his movements became more and more restricted and his manner more withdrawn, even making it clear to relatives and friends that he preferred his world of In Memoriam silence. The end came quietly at Holy Spirit Hospital where he was taken a few days prior to his death. With the coming of the Light of the World, the little snowflake melted away!

- Fr. Paul Coutinho, SJ