Fr. Sushil Sah, SJ was a loving and loveable person, who forged endearing and enduring relationships with people of all age groups and cultural backgrounds. Simplicity, availability and apostolic zeal were the hallmarks of his life.
On returning to the Province after his doctoral studies in Clinical Psychology at the University of Detroit, Mercy, USA, Fr. Sushil put to maximum use his knowledge and skills, in the form of counseling people from all walks of life. But, his specialized training abroad did not imprison him in institutional settings: after his term as Rector of XTTI (House of formation with Novitiate and Juniorate) in Patna, he readily went to Gopalganj, a new mission in an interior part of north Bihar at a distance of 145 km from Patna, where even minimum facilities were not available. From there he was called upon to serve as Minister (Administrator) of St. Xavier’s, Patna and then as Co-Pastor in Kurji Parish, Patna, before being missioned as Parish Priest of Bettiah.
When he was at XTTI, he worked in Kurji Holy Family Hospital as a counselor for patients who needed such service, and also the family members of certain type of patients. When he was in St. Xavier’s and Kurji parish, he functioned as counselor for students, staff and parents of St. Xavier’s and St. Michael’s Schools and St. Xavier’s College of Education. Of course, as Co-pastor and Pastor, he guided the faithful, especially of estranged couples and broken families.
In his life and ministry, it was evident that Jesus was the center and source of his life. His simple orthodox faith and affable personality, endeared him to all. Even the stroke that paralyzed his right arm and leg, and to some extent impaired his speech too, did not diminish his apostolic zeal. With faith and will power he was slowly bouncing back. Fr. Sushil, your simplicity and zeal for mission will always guide and challenge us. Commend us, your companions, to the Triune God.
Susai Raj, SJ
