Br. George Pereira in the centre along with Brothers Prakash and Nitin
Fr. George Pereira 86 years old died this afternoon in Fauji hospital. He was ailing for a long time. He did not suffer from any major sickness but some small sickness and due to old age he passed away. Br. George had been a servant of God who tirelessly worked for the Order and Church. Ever since his ordination he had shouldered many responsibilities. He worked in various places as a simple capuchin. Wherever he went he won the heart of people. He had a natural gift of making friends and easily got along with everyone. When he worked in North India, the people lovingly called him "Bhut Baghanewale Baba" the one who drives evil away. He had a gift of healing and many would flock to him to be prayed over. As a charismatic preacher he won the hearts of his listeners as he would speak to the hearts and minds of the people. He was well known preacher in North India. He has preached many retreats for the priests and religious. He would preach with an ease as he had a masters degree in Franciscan spirituality from the USA.
As a young friar he worked as a provincial secretary and as a pastor in Mumbai as well as in Umralla. When Maharashtra was created as an independent vice province he was called back from North India, St. Fidelis province to live a Ashram life. The vice provincial bought a small house near Mumbai where he lived an ashram life for about 5 years. There he witnessed to simple and poor capuchin life to the people of different faith. He was source of inspiration for many. He had always a smile on his face and very easy to mingle with.
While he was sick and bedridden, he would recognize people immediately. Whenever i visited him he would at once recognize me. He would call me always Provincial. I had very good moments with him. I would always ask him to pray for the Province and me. His immediate answer would be that the Lord has given him now the Mission to pray for the Others.
He was well looked after in Fatima Friary. Number of times he was admitted into the hospital and would return home healthy and strong. Brothers Albert Gonsalves and Roney Pereira served him very well. They would look after him with tenderness and fraternal love. They would clean and bathe him.
On 3rd evening i flew from Bangalore to Mumbai on my way to Dubai. I visited him along with my friend George Cherian who knew him. I saw that he was sinking and he had closed his eyes, breathing very fast. When i called out he did respond to me. Then i called the community friars and gave him the last sacrament.
This afternoon he went for his eternal dewar. May the good Lord grant him eternal rest.
His funeral will be in Umralla tomorrow at 11 am.
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