It is a few moons since the demise of Rev. Bro. Baptist Croos, teacher, hostel warden, scout master, Provincial Superior and director of the Catechists’ Training Centre.
He was a teacher with a vision, and he lived his life to the full, with joy and thanksgiving. It was this abundance of life that he shared with all.
Born in June 1939 at Mannar, Rev. Bro. Croos joined the Novitiate in Penang, Malaysia, after completing his secondary education in his native land. He came back two years later and continued his religious foundation. In 1965, he followed a course in journalism and then proceeded to Paris where he obtained a diploma in catechism in 1968. He joined the University of Punjab, Pakistan, and obtained his BA degree.
He then followed a special course in Lasallian Spirituality in Rome and a three-month course in theology in Bangalore, India and Paris. He obtained his master’s in religious education in 1991 at the Institute of Spiritual Formation for Asia. This was followed by a doctorate in education, in 2001, from the De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.
Dr. Baptist was in Pakistan for 17 years, during which time he served as a teacher and ecclesiastical administrator at the Catechism Training Centre, (CTC), Principal, Diocesan Director of Education, and Superior of the La Salle Brothers in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
At the Catechism Training Centre he taught Church History, Liturgy and Pastoral Theology. His gift for languages and his way with words made him a natural orator. His lectures were guaranteed to make one sit up and listen, as there was much humour in them. He was a prolific writer, writing on a variety of subjects. His responses to contemporary events in the Christian world were fascinating. He also wrote on Urdu thought and literature, liturgy and theology.
Bro. Baptist made a significant contribution to the church in Pakistan. His devotion to the Lord in the Eucharist took centre stage in his life.
At his request, I wrote a review of one of his books and it was published in the Daily Mirror.
He often encouraged me to keep writing, saying my religious articles provided interesting reading. My last chat with him was in the TV lounge of the Mutwal Novitiate last year. I had heard he was ill. He told me he liked his stay in Pakistan and would go again if he recovered. When I asked him how my colleague Bro. Herman was faring in Pakistan, he said, “I’ll give you a surprise”. He took me to the next room and, lo and behold, there was my old friend. He had come here on holiday. By visiting Bro. Baptist, I met an old pal after nearly 50 years. Bro. Herman and I reminisced about our days at the Novitiate, when we were in our early teens.
Bro. Baptist had the distinction of celebrating 50 years in the Fratres Scholarum Christianarum (FSC) Fraternity. He was on the staff of St. Benedict’s during its centenary year.
The Holy Writ says, “They that instruct many unto justice, shall shine as stars for all Eternity”.
I trust Bro. Baptist has received the rewards reserved by the Almighty for those who have shown youth the way to salvation.
May the good Brother rest in peace – that rest which, according to St. Augustine, is never ours until we rest in Him.
Lenard R. Mahaarachchi |
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