The sudden loss of Sch. Patrick Tirkey, S.J. has brought pain and tears to many, including children.
Patrick was born in a loving Oraon tribal family with two younger brothers. His father is a daily wage worker and mother a housewife. One Sunday the catechist forced Patrick to serve the Mass as an altar boy. It was providential that the parish priest always made Patrick sit under the statue of Our Lady in the church. Both these incidents were the seeds of his vocation. The real call came with the sufferings of his maternal aunt. She fell from the staircase and was badly injured. She was taken to multiple hospitals, and it was Patrick who accompanied her and he witnessed her death. This struggle with human suffering struck him. Patrick wrote, “Let my life be offered for others because everyone lives for oneself.”
In 2012, he contacted a Hazaribag Jesuit priest who encouraged him. But he couldn’t join that year, as he couldn’t attend the vocation camp. He did odd works for a year as a delivery boy and driver and cleaner of trucks. The following year he became a pre- novice.
After the completion of pre-novitiate at Vivek Sadan, Daltonganj, Patrick entered the Novitiate at Jisu Jaher Dudhani, Dumka. He made his First Vows on 21 June 2016. His main motto was: ‘Bloom where you are planted.’ Whatever work was given or any need he sensed, he took that up and completed that without any hesitation. He used to say, “By the grace of God, I am living my life for others and hope I will give 100% to my Lord.” Never did he tire of working for the wellbeing of the community. His life was filled with enthusiasm and grace.
He was compassionate towards all; and people came to him to share their burdens. He had special love for kids. His childlike heart really made people feel comfortable with him. He was multi-talented and multi-tasking, a good reader and a great listener. He was a man of smiles and he smiled at all without any distinction. Today, when I think of him, I feel that he is truly a model for Jesuit scholastics.
– Sushil Osga, SJ
