Br. Francis Mathias came from a devoutly religious family. After having worked for some time as a welder, Br. Francis Mathias took a big life decision. Instead of working with metals, he decided to work for God. The journey he undertook from Mangalore to Sitagarha to join the novitiate in 1962 may have been a big leap of faith that would typify the rest of his life.
Very early in his religious life, Br Francis was assigned to the Teachers Training Institute, Sitagarha where he would receive his new name. Alongside Br. Jacub Tirkey, he worked for seven years and ran the Teacher Training Institute efficiently. There followed many appointments as Minister- care taker of Jesuit houses in many places. He served not only in Hazaribag Province but beyond it in Vidya Jyoti Delhi, Jor Bagh, Delhi, De Nobili, Pune, and Clive’s House, Trichy. This shows his readiness to serve anywhere. Francis would be the man Superiors would choose when they looked for a good minister. Another challenging appointment he took up was in Bishrampur, a young mission. He was a great support to Fr. Saju Bastian, holding many responsibilities, as Minister, Treasurer and Hostel Prefect. Since then he was always known as Br. Mahto.
We will always remember his smiling face as he welcomed us. In his final years, he was the guest master at St. Xavier’s, Hazaribag for 10 years. The text from 2 Timothy 4:7 on his memorial card sums up well his life. “I have done my best in the race. I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith”.
– Sushil Osga, SJ
