‘He thought of the poor until the end’- The Doctor Remembers Father Stan Swamy After a Year 

On the first anniversary of the death of the Jesuit prostrated by almost 9 months of unjust detention for his commitment in defense of the tribals of Jharkhand, the memory of Sr. Beena who assisted him in the hospital in the last weeks before his death: “There was a sense of joy in his struggle. He encouraged me to renew my daily commitment as a doctor for the people of the suburbs and the marginalized”.

Dr. Sr. Beena, a nun of the Ursulines of Mary Immaculate, health secretary of the archdiocese of Mumbai. Sr. Beena – who is the executive director of the Holy Family Hospital where Fr. Stan was hospitalized on 27 May, 2021, now exhausted by Covid-19 and long detention – says: “he taught me to never give up in the commitment to the poor and marginalized”.

On the occasion of the first anniversary of the death of Fr. Stan Swamy, I fondly remember my brief association with this holy man.

It was truly an honor to take care of Fr. Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest, at the Holy Family Hospital in Mumbai. I clearly remember the day he was taken to the hospital, some of our sisters together with the Jesuit Fr. Frazer Mascarenhas – whom the court had appointed custodian – welcomed him into the hospital. Although he was sick and frail, he greeted us with a smile and said, “Now I’m in safe hands.”

He was very humble, down-to-earth, very serene and sometimes witty. Even when he was in pain, he had a smile on his face. It was a pleasure to interact with such a personality, who had extensive experience in the field of social life and told me about his experiences. He truly lived up to the values ​​of the Gospel, despite the many challenges and difficulties. I looked forward to moments with him because eventually, I would get his blessing. Every encounter with this humble man was enriching, enlightening, and truly exciting. He was a convinced person and there was a sense of joy in his struggle. There is no doubt that there was a special aura surrounding him.

After leaving the intensive care unit for Covid-10 patients, Fr. Stan told me he appreciated the care and concern of all the hospital staff, including the food. He encouraged me to renew my daily commitment, as a doctor, in my missionary work with the poor, the people of the peripheries, and the marginalized. Fr. Stan inspired me to use my medical knowledge and my position as a responsibility to love and serve the poor, treat them with dignity, and offer them the best care available. Through his words, I was able to clearly understand Fr. Stand for justice, especially for the poor and those who are reduced to impotence. In her life and in his mission she had a ‘Never give up’ attitude, which inspires me to carry on my work as a nun and as a doctor.

(with the collaboration of Nirmala Carvalho)

(Adapted and edited from the Italian website Asia News)

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