New Provincial Superior for Kolkata Jesuit Province

-Thomas Carlo S.J

Rev. Raphael Hyde, S.J. has taken over the mantle of Kolkata Jesuit Province from his predecessor, Rev. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, S.J. during the Eucharistic celebration at St. Xavier's College Chapel, Kolkata at 6.00 p.m. on Sunday September 09, 2017. He is the eighth Provincial Superior.

The appointment was announced in Rome at the headquarters of the Jesuits on April 22, 2017. To assume the office the day could be decided by mutual agreement. The term of a Provincial Superior is normally for six years. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Jeyaraj Veluswamy, the outgoing Provincial, together with Frs. Raphael Hyde, Jerome Francis, Dominic Savio, Patrick Walsh and con celebrated by nearly 45 other Priests. Fr. Raphael’s mother and 2 brothers witnessed the ceremony. Fr. Jeyaraj read the Gospel and gave a brief history of Bengal Jesuit Mission. Afterwards Fr. Jerome Francis, the Socius to the Provincial read out the decree of the appointment of Fr. Raphael Hyde as the 8 Provincial Superior of Kolkata Jesuit Province. After the Mass Fr. Raphael expressed his sentiments. He said it was a surprise to him about the appointment. Although he is not worthy for that high office he accepts it as an obedient Jesuit, and asked for prayers and cooperation from other Jesuits.

There was a brief felicitation in the College Chapel after the Mass. It was also an occasion to release a book containing the history of Bengal – Chotanagpur mission translated into English by Rev. Albert Huart S.J. Fr. Raphael declined to accept the garland and ceremonial shawl offered to him, and requested that his dear mother be given that honour first. A human being does not exist without a mother.

Fr. Raphael Hyde was born in Behrampur in a devout Catholic family on October 24, 1963. He joined the Novitiate at Dhyan Ashram on June 30, 1983. He was ordained Priest on October 30, 1998 and made his final profession in the Society of Jesus on August 15, 2014. He held the post as Mission Treasurer of the Catholic Mission of Western Bengal for a few years. After he was released from the post of the Treasurer, he was sent to Ranchi to take BEd course at St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi, Jharkhand. After completing the B.Ed., he returned to Kolkata and was posted at St Lawrence High School.

Later on he was appointed Rector of St Lawrence High School Jesuit Community. The Master told him “friend, why are you here, go higher”, and lo and behold he bowed his head accepted the appointment. Fr Raphael is a man of few words but lot of actions. He is ready to render any service at any time. We find him we a ring the religious habit the cassock at all times. He is always cheerful. We wish him all success and God’s blessings in his new mission.