Fr Benjamin Tigga was born at Sarbahala, Dhumadanr, in Chattisgarh, on 18th August 1952. He joined the Society of Jesus on 3rd December 1971 and was ordained a priest on 15th May 1984. Fr Benji had imbibed an exemplary spirit of service in his early years from his devout parents, particularly from his father whose life as a catechist and teacher embodied deep faith and discipline. As an ordained Priest, Fr Benji worked in parishes at Chilimpur, Nichamari, Deopur and Alampur, schools in Nichitpur, Jitarpur and Karon, hostels in Majlispur, Hatimara and Chilimpur, as a teacher in the Pre-novitiate at Raiganj, and in the socio-pastoral centre at Banpokharia. Fr Benji also rendered his pastoral service in Mauritius for two years.
Fr Benji was a cordial and loving person always with a smile on his face. For instance, in 2002, at the end of his stay in Mauritius, his Superior wrote, “You were always smiling in the community and you never complained about anything. You were a good companion. I did appreciate your availability to come here. I thank you very much for having generously given of yourself to Mauritius.” In spite of his illness in the last few years Fr Benji continued to be cheerful and humorous. Among the many gifts which the Lord had blessed Fr Benji with, was his keen interest in football and hockey, his good knowledge of herbal medicine and the skill to divine water. As a pastor he used dialogue sessions with the faithful during his homilies, and as a teacher he spent quality time with children narrating stories and other events to them.
Fr Benjamin Tigga breathed his last on Sunday, 8th January 2023, in a nursing home in Rampurhat, West Bengal. May God in His Love and Mercy, grant Fr Benji Eternal Peace with Him in Heaven!
Stany Pinto, SJ
