Br. Maurice Lakra was born at Chitlidakshinpara, Bangladesh. The family settled at Altapur, in North Dinajpur, West Bengal. He responded to the Lord’s call to become a coadjutor brother and joined the Society of Jesus in the Santal Region and began his novitiate at St. Stanislaus College, Sitagarha, on 2nd February 1970. After his first vows he completed a two-year teacher’s training programme at TTI, Sitagarha. Br. Maurice spent most of his religious life as a teacher, and as assistant prefect and prefect of hostels at Sahibganj, Mundli, Madhupur, Mariampahar, Hathimara and Jibonpur. In 1983, he did a short theology course at Vinayalaya, Mumbai. Assigned to Mundli once again in 1987, Br. Maurice also took care to strengthen the KrusVir (Crusaders), besides being a prefect and a teacher. In 1996 he was appointed Diocesan Director of Crusaders. He was also Province Coordinator of Brothers and Coordinator of the Adult Literacy Programme. In 2003, he began working among the Oraons at Mundli. In 2011 he was Minister and Assistant Director at the Catechists’ Training Centre, Torai. Though his health began to deteriorate, Br. Maurice willingly accepted the assignments given him. At the end of March 2019 he suffered a mild heart attack and was hospitalised for a while. On 18th April while visiting Jisu Jaher, he felt acute chest pain. Soon he passed away. Br. Maurice was a good and devout religious. He liked interacting with people of different cultures and religions. He carried out the assignments given to him by his Superiors to the best of his ability.

• Paul Aquilina, SJ
  

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