The Jesuits of Tamil Nadu were shocked by the sudden demise of Fr. R. Rajarathinam on 24th May 2021. He was born on 3rd April 1959 in Mathankovilpatty in Virudhunagar District. He entered the Society of Jesus on 30th July 1979, at Beschi College, Dindigul. He was ordained a priest on 24th Nov 1991, in Madurai. He composed the College Anthems of St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, Loyola College of Vettavalam and Mettala.
From 1992 to 2005, he was teaching Economics at St Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai. As the Director of STAND – the Outreach Programme of SXC, he especially won the appreciation of non-Christian villagers. He persuaded many dropouts to get re-admission. When he served as the Principal of St Joseph’s College, Tiruchi (2005-11), the National Solidarity Council honoured him with “Jewel of India” and “The Best Principal” awards. He visited as one of the NAAC Peer members, to assess 12 Colleges and 3 Universities.
A court case foisted on him made his life a ‘way of the cross’ but he went about doing good: training students at DACA, Madurai; serving as Minister and Treasurer at LTI, Madurai; teaching Economics at Loyola College, Meghalaya; serving as Minister, Professor and Secretary at Loyola College, Vettavalam; and as Campus Treasurer, Loyola College, Mettala.
On 19th May 2021, he felt unwell and the scan results revealed a 35% lung infection due to COVID-19. So he got admitted to Apollo Hospital, Tiruchi. On the morning of 24th May, the doctors diagnosed a mild heart attack and rushed him to the ICU. Despite their strenuous efforts to revive him, he breathed his last at 10:30 am. Due to the restrictions of Government officials (on COVID deaths), and non-availability of the Jesuit cemetery at St. Joseph’s Tiruchi, his body was cremated and his mortal remains were interred in the crypt of St. Joseph’s College church, after a prayer service.
Maria Joseph Mahalingam, SJ
