Fr. John Joseph Amaladoss, SJ was my companion from Novitiate to Philosophy days for a duration of eight years. We were together during our pilgrimage experiment to Sarugani to live with the saintly priest Fr. Leveil, SJ.

An exemplary Jesuit indeed; deep attachment to mother Society was noticeable from the novitiate days onwards. We, his companions used to fool him “novice master in the making” in those days itself, which became true in the year 1997.

Most of his life was spent in forming Jesuits and guiding Religious men and women in their discerning process. Seven years as Director of Pre-novices, twelve years as Novice Master, four years as Tertian Instructor, four years as PCF and three years as Socius to the Provincial, speak volumes of his spirituality.

Everything went on well with him till he realised about his heart problem in the year 2014, which apparently put him down a little bit. But that never deterred him from helping the Religious Sisters in their spiritual formation till the last breath of his life on earth.

A jovial person by nature, he won the hearts of many; a holy person in the making, he never appeared to leave the presence of Jesus in his life. When such a person leaves this temporal abode for his permanent residence with God, should we mourn for his loss in our midst or rejoice that he has finally reached his heavenly abode? He left us all on 14th April 2021 at the age of 75 having lived in the Society of Jesus for 58 years. His mortal remains were laid to rest at 6.30 PM on the same day, in Andhra Loyola College Cemetery, Vijayawada, surrounded by Jesuits and some Religious men and women. May his soul rest in peace.

Fr. S. Gnanadevan, SJ