“I have to praise God with my small works” was the motto of Bro. Clestus Baxla, SJ. He used to say, “Hard work makes everything possible”. He remembered very much the words of Fr. Rector in Sitagarha when he told him, “Brother, we have always two or three Brothers to maintain and manage the campus. Will you be able to manage it alone?’ He took it as a challenge and managed such a big property and every other thing alone, very efficiently. Constructing the boundary wall all around the campus, ploughing fields and managing workers were remarkable for his efficiency. Thus he is still remembered affectionately for his hard work.

Later in Kota, he is remembered for working in the fields day and night. There was no compromise with his responsibilities and his dutifulness. Whenever it rained very heavily in the rainy season, whether it was day or night, he was always there in the fields, with a spade on his shoulder and one umbrella in his hand. His hard work indeed brought prosperity to the community. His intention was to exemplify people around how hard work was important for human beings.

Br. Clestus dared to take challenges. Initially he did not want to study, thinking, “Have I to teach in schools and colleges? I have to serve and praise God in small things.” And yet he took a challenge later to graduate himself. He never neglected his responsibilities.

Br. Clestus lived a very simple life – a life of a poor person.  While discussing about the personal possessions in the Society, he said, “We don’t praise God by our belongings but by our works, be it small or big”. He was very happy with his vocation in the Society as a Jesuit Brother.

Michael Tirkey, SJ