On 23 May 2019, Br. Peter Murmu suffered a massive heart attack at Assisi Bhavan, Garh Mukteshwar and was welcomed into the arms of Sister Death.
Son of Mr. Cyril Murmu and Marcella Tudu of Koilijor village of Dumaria Parish in Bhagalpur Diocese, Peter (whose name in school records is Pansiram Murmu) was born on 15 February 1973. After primary education at the local school, he had his secondary education at St. Joseph’s High School, Guhiajori, Dumka. Thereafter, he did his Intermediate studies at Bhagalpur.
After completing his Postulancy, Br. Peter entered Sacred Heart Novitiate at Babumahal on 16 April 1995 and made his First Profession on 17 April 1996. His Solemn Profession in the Seraphic Order took place at Franciscan Ashram, Bhagalpur on 30 May 2002.
Bro. Peter served the Church and the Order in different capacities in various places. His first assignment after Solemn Profession was to complete BA program at a Bhagalpur College. This was followed by short period of service at St. Francis Middle School, Poreyahat. Thereafter, he went to Sikkim and completed Primary Teachers’ Training. As a trained teacher, he served St. Stanislaus Middle School for several years while also looking after the farm and being the treasurer of the local fraternity.
While at Gokhla he developed serious heart problem and was sent to the famous Sri Narayana Medical Facility in Bangalore for treatment. Since surgery was not possible, he was advised to take medicine and have rest. Since he felt better and the doctors advised him to occupy himself with light work, Br. Peter was appointed as Treasurer of Shanti Niwas at Noida and Vice–Principal cum Treasurer of St. Anthony’s School, Khoda, not far from Noida. Due to breathing problem again he was admitted to Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi for 12 days in November 2017. Soon after, Br. Peter was taken to Caritas Hospital, Kottayam, Kerala, for a second opinion regarding his cardiac problems. Later, he stayed at Mount Assisi Friary, Kuravilangad for prayer, meditation and for making delicious meals for the small fraternity.
When the Province decided to open a Friary, School and Parish at Garh Mukteswar in Hapud District of UP, Br. Peter was appointed as the Local Minister for the development of the new Mission. On 23 May, Br. Peter felt uneasy in the evening. At 7:00 PM, he suffered a massive heart attack, collapsed and became unconscious and died despite immediate medical attention.
Rev. Fr. Jose Thekkel officiated at the Funeral Mass and the Rite at the cemetery, assisted by Friars. Many Friars, Sisters, Family members and friends took part in the tearful ceremony and prayed for dear Br. Peter.
Throughout his twenty-three years of religious life, Br. Peter Murmu was truly a beautiful story of deep prayer life, active community participation and zealous work of evangelization, both direct and indirect. His ability to mingle with any group of people, whether in Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala or Uttar Pradesh was unique. His success in this area can be attributed to the language of love, which he spoke and which was understood by all.
He can be categorized as the North Indian Friar who has visited most the families of the South Indian Friars. He also made use of the visits to make pilgrimages to all the famous pilgrim centers of South India. It is through the intercessory prayers of many that he was able to continue his dedicated service to the Church at the cost of his own health. A man of faith, he had handed his life into the hands of Jesus whose ideal disciple he wanted to be both in health and his sickness.
His interest in others enabled him to forget his own sickness and do something for the welfare of others. As we say good–bye to our beloved confrere who treated everyone in the style of St. Francis with simplicity and hospitality and was at their disposal, may we imbibe his way of life. May Br. Peter Murmu, the apostle of love and joy, be a model for us in putting into practice the vision of St. Paul: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). Br. Peter gave his time and talents not only to God, the Church and the Order but to all with whom he contacted without any distinction.