The foundation stone of DNC (De Nobili College), Pune, was laid in 1942, and ten years later, Fr. Ted Bowling SJ (PAT) entered its portals. He would spend the rest of his 69 years in the same community and be an important link to the origins and evolution of DNC.
Born on 4th May, 1924 at Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A., Ted entered the Society on 1st September 1941. On completing his philosophical studies, he came to India and was sent for his theological studies to DNC. After ordination he was assigned to the philosophy staff at the Pontifical Athenaeum and taught basic science. Later, he was the president of the CISS (Catholic Information Service Society) from 1988 to 2003. During his tenure, CISS had a network of 54 centres all over India. He also founded the Family Welfare Centre in Pune Diocese.
Generations of scholastics remember him as a simple, humorous and hardworking person who accompanied them during manual work to plant trees and take care of the campus. He took keen interest in knowing scholastics, inquired about them and prayed for them even after they had left DNC. Among his belongings was a thick file with many ordination invitations and hand-written letters from former students. Fr. Ted lived a life of simplicity, and showed how to age gracefully. During the last few years, he was able to find joy in the simple things of life – a short walk, a conversation, a celebration, a game of cards, watching the news, inquiring about persons known to him and so on. The secret of this profound joy was a fervent spiritual life. Though he left for his eternal reward on 22nd November, his loving presence continues to linger in DNC – the green campus and in the lives of persons who were touched by him.
Francis Pudhicherry, SJ
