VIRIDITAS: SOUL GREENING
Interviewed by Sister Malia Dominica Wong, OP
Hawaii Catholic Herald
When I showed my family members on a map where I was going, in a blue sea with a few dots, they said, “Oh, that is far. You are going there?” But I knew that Hawaii was a very special to me and to every Sacred Hearts missionary, because of Father Damien.
The Hawaiian Islands were given to us as the first mission of the congregation. Our good founder, Father Mary Joseph, really wanted to come here and do ministry. Thus, he sent priests and nuns to this field. I really feel blessed to be here where our founder sent the first missionaries.
This is also Father Damien’s place. During my novitiate, we had studied a little about the Sandwich Islands. Who would have ever thought I would be able to visit, or even serve in this holy place? That itself is such a blessing to me. To know that we were the first missionaries that brought Catholicism to this island is rejuvenating. When I think of that, I feel really proud and mission-driven to be here.
Father Damien would often say, “How nice it is to die as a child of the Sacred Hearts.” Whatever happens in life, I want to be faithful to this call that God has given me. My prayer, is like Father Damien’s, to die as a child, a priest, of the Sacred Hearts.
When I came to Hawaii four and a half years ago, I only knew two people — Sacred Hearts Father Herman Gomes and Father Johnathan Hurrell. I was assigned to St. Ann Parish in Kaneohe. As I did not carry heavy responsibilities or need to make any decisions, I had much freedom.
When I was assigned to Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Wahiawa, as the pastor, I kept the same type of relationship with the people at St. Ann’s. For example, some parishioners at St. Ann’s said that they would miss my loud laugh. I am the same; I still laugh here. There are times where you need to make a decision and tell people, “This is where it stops.” But this community of Our Lady of Sorrows is a very simple and faithful one. There have been no problems. I’m feeling a little sad to be leaving. But my superiors need me some place, and that kind of call is like God beckoning me forth.
I’m going to India having been appointed as the regional superior of India. It is a big responsibility. There are challenges as a leader, but somebody has to do it. Last year I took 33 pilgrims to India. We went to the tombs of three great saints of three different historical eras: St. Thomas of the first century, St. Francis Xavier of the Middle Ages, and St. Teresa of Calcutta as the contemporary. One pilgrim couple’s faith was so reinvigorated that they started coming back to church. I’m only an instrument.
For the people of Hawaii, I wish to say, “Please keep the joy. Keep the Aloha spirit. Keep the faith.”
Father Ajith Kumar Antony Dass is a priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. He is 19 years professed; 13 years ordained. The youngest of four from Chennai, India, he is pictured here with his mother, Mabel Antony Dass.
