MEMORIES OF A GREAT SACRIFICE | KAIROS GLOBAL | JUNE 2021

Author: Fr. Shyjan Job SDB

Intro: Fr. Shyjan SDB remembers a horrifying incident from 20 years ago – because of which he lives today. 

Some memories are part of us; May 15, 2001 is one such day in my life. It was the year of my novitiate, the beginning of my Salesian religious life at Ngarian Hill in Imphal, Manipur¹. But this day would remain unforgettable. Just nine days before our religious profession (taking of vows) we were faced with a tragedy. The entire staff of our novitiate (except one) were brutally murdered by unidentified gunmen from an underground militia. 

It was a Tuesday and we had our normal activities. As days were drawing close to our profession, we were getting ready with the liturgical celebration and other preparations for the important day of our lives. Fr. Raphael Paliakkara (our Novice Master) had just returned that evening after a trip to Dimapur (Nagaland²) to send his sister (Sr. Lissie Teresa FCC) off to Agra. She was with us for about a week as part of Fr. Raphael’s Silver Jubilee celebrations which we had celebrated on 12th May. 

Fr. Master reached back around 3.30 pm and he was with us as usual, encouraging us in our games and so on. In the evening we had our regular Eucharistic Adoration animated by him. Soon after that we had a conference by the Master. A conference is a spiritual talk and some sort of animation he used to give us every evening. That day he thanked us profusely for the wonderful celebrations arranged for his silver jubilee. He talked to us about post-novitiate formation and the need to be loving and supportive of one another. He underscored the need to have proper focus on the Lord and a commitment to follow his footsteps always. 

As the conference was in progress our administrator, Fr. Andreas, came and called him out for a while. Fr. Master returned soon and informed us that he had to meet some people urgently so the conference was over for the day. We were instructed to return to our study hall and revise our lessons. As we were leaving, we saw Fr. Master enter the chapel before setting out to meet the people waiting at the backyard of our house. We found this little strange. Usually people come through the front gate and talk either in the parlour or in the office. Why had they come through the back door to have a meeting? Since we were aware of the situation in Northeast India (As of 2001, the seven states of Northeast India were besieged by armed insurgencies and political violence that killed thousands and displaced many more), we knew those who had come were from an underground outfit. 

The meeting went on for a long time. They were in our volleyball court just outside the kitchen. We were also curious to know what the strange discussion was all about but were warned by our Brother Assistant, Br. Shinu (brother who is in charge of us – who is doing his regency) not to go there at all. Fr. Raphael and Fr. Andreas were having the meeting with Br. Shinu at the corridor, watching the conversation and keeping us from going there. 

It was time for our personal prayer so many of us went to the chapel. Yet, we were not at peace. At around 7.50 pm we heard a gunshot at the entrance of our house. Soon after we heard continuous gun fire from the volleyball court. We rushed out of the chapel and saw the sparks from the gunfire. We thought the militants were leaving after the talk and had fired into the air. 

We waited for a while for our Br. Shinu or any of the fathers to arrive and give us the details. But instead of them, one of our domestic staff ran inside from the kitchen, crying loudly. Amidst sobs, he told us that the fathers were shot by the militants. We rushed out altogether. On reaching we found the bullet torn bodies of our beloved fathers; added to our shock was the body of Br. Shinu as well. All of them were in a pool of blood. Blood still pumping out of their bodies. They had died on the spot. With grief and shock we carried their bodies to the corridor of our dining room. We were at a loss, no one was there to guide us. We did not have a telephone in the house, the nearest one was 6 kms (approx. 4 miles) away in the parish. So three novices ran there through the paddy field to inform our superiors and others about the tragedy. 

The rest of us were in the chapel praying. As for me I just could not pray. I kept questioning God about this great tragedy. ‘Why did you allow such a terrible thing just few days before our religious profession? What did our innocent superiors do to receive such a cruel end?’ We were all sitting in the dark. Only the dim tabernacle lamp was on. All around were sounds of sobbing and weeping. Suddenly I heard a gentle voice. I raised my head and saw the large crucifix at the altar. I could see the image of dying Jesus and heard the last prayer of Jesus within me…‘Forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing.’ I was stunned. I realised the need to pray for the assailants. Kneeling down I began to pray. For the first time in my life the Our Father became meaningful to me. ‘Forgive our sins as we forgive those who …’ I couldn't hold my tears.

Later from the domestic staff who had seen everything from the dark, we came to know what transpired in that meeting outside. The militants wanted all of us (all of us 27 novices) to be brought out. The leader of the group informed Fr. Master that he had a small business with us, just for a minute. Knowing their intentions Fr. Raphael told them, ‘they are young boys they will be scared to see you with these guns. Tell me what you want to communicate and I will pass the message on to them.’ Then they asked the brother in-charge to be called out. Hearing that, Br. Shinu came out through the kitchen. After few minutes of dialogue, without any resistance or argument the assailants shot them at point blank. In fact Fr. Andreas had already given them all the money we had in the house.   

We still do not know what the real motivation was behind the killing. But one thing we are sure of, our superiors laid down their life for a noble cause …to save their novices. As Jesus said, the greatest love a person can have for his friends is to give his life for them (John 15:13).  I am sure they are in heaven enjoying blissful reward for their valiant martyrdom. 

Even though 20 years have passed, their presence is very much alive. They still live in our memories. Personally, they are my heroes and role models. Their sacrifice of yesterday is the reason for my life today. Their unwavering example has definitely helped my Salesian missionary vocation to take up challenges to spread the faith. They are still alive in and through us and indeed their memories will never fade away. God be with you till we meet again.

This article first appeared in Kairos Malayalam, twenty years ago. 

^1,2 Manipur and Nagaland are states in Northeast India.

A Salesian priest of the East African province, Fr. Shyjan is currently working in the mission in South Sudan. He was JY full-timer to North East India in 1998 and later joined Don Bosco and went to the African Missions as a volunteer in 2006.