Brother Isidore Xaxa, TOR, aged 76, a member of St. Thomas Province, India, passed away on 4 May 2021 at 04:30 p.m. in Franciscan Ashram, Bhagalpur, due to cardiac arrest and other physical ailments. Brother Ambrose Minj, TOR and Miss Victoria, home nurse, were at his side praying with him at the tme of his death.
Son of the late Paulus Xaxa and Mariyam, Brother Isidore was born on 3 April 1945 at Rengarbahar village, Simdega, Jharkhand State. He was baptized by Fr. Mathias Lakra at Samsera Parish and was confirmed by the late Bp. Nicholas Kujur. Brother had two older sisters, two older brothers and three younger brothers. The eldest sister Sr. Clara Xaxa belonged to the Congregation of the Queen of the Apostles (SRA). All except one older sister named Catherina and the youngest brother, Mr. Blasius, have gone for their Eternal Reward.
After his primary education at R. C. School, Rengarbahar and high school in Gaibira, he graduated from St. Francis High School, Poreyahat in 1971. After discerning God’s will to become a religious, Brother Isidore entered the novitiate at Sacred Heart Novitiate, Babumahal, and made his simple profession on 31 May 1973 into the hands of the late Fr. Anthony Ramanattu, TOR. He made his solemn profession on 31 May 1978 in the hands of the late Fr. Conrad Kunnappally, TOR. Fraternal life and ministries began after he obtained a Teachers Training Degree in 1978 from the Teachers’ Training College at Konbir Noatoli.
His main ministry as a religious was in the field of education of children and as a director of Homes for Children at St. Stanislaus School, Gokhla; St. Louis School, Babumahal; and Ankur Niwas, Kanjuwae. In his free time, he busied himself on the farms. He endeared himself to all the children as he was very concerned about their studies and well-being. He was a good Franciscan religious and very committed to his duties. He was very good at football and hockey.
On his Silver Jubilee of Religious Profession in Gokhla on 31 May 1998 he wrote in his memento: “Only this I want to be: A gift of your love, A bearer of Peace and a Smile of Joy for all.”It is notable that he served as a government-recognized teacher at St. Stanislaus School, Gokhla from 1984 to 2008.
In 2003, he along with the late Fr. Raymond Soren were given permission for a pilgrimage to Rome and to visit Europe. While returning on 14 August 2003, Brother Isidore felt very uneasy in the flight, as he was experiencing cardiac problems. He was admitted to Kailash Heart Hospital at Noida for his bypass surgery. After few years he also had an angioplasty in Bengaluru. On 29 December 2019, he, along with hostel children went for a picnic to Borgaya, 10 kms from Babumahal. While returning, his jeep overturned and Br. Isidore was seriously injured. He was taken to Deoghar for immediate treatment by Frs. Kurian Thrikkodanmeil and George Lakra, TOR. For better treatment, he was brought to Bhagalpur and since that time he was in the Franciscan Ashram; where he received good care from doctors, nurses, Holy Family and FCC Sisters, and all our friars especially Frs. Jose Thekkel, Baiju Poovathumoottil, Jomon Erukkattupadickal and Brother Ambrose Minj. Our home nurse Miss Victoria Tirkey always cared for him. Most Rev. Kurien, Bishop of Bhagalpur, Priests, Friars, Sisters regularly visited him. On 29 April 2021, at the request of Brother Isidore, Fr. John Kochuchira, the Minister Provincial, administered the Anointing of the Sick in the presence of our friars. It is noteworthy that he never missed Holy Communion and that he prepared himself to receive the Lord.
Hearing of his death, Bishop Kurien, our Friars and Sisters came to Franciscan Ashram to offer their prayers and assistance. The Mass of Christian Burial at St. Francis Chapel, Gokhla, was presided over by Bishop Kurien on 5 May 2021 at 10.30 a.m. After the Holy Mass, his body was taken in procession and interred in our community cemetery. Due to Covid-19 lockdown, only about 30 Friars and sisters could attend. The music for the liturgy was conducted by the CTC Sisters, Gokhla. We are grateful to Fr. Philip Paruvanany, the Local Minister and Parish Priest and all our Friars and Pre-Novices for all the arrangements.
With the death of Brother Isidore, we have lost a joyful and simple Franciscan; a wonderful teacher who nurtured and affectionately brought up hundreds of tribal children in their infancy, instilling in them faith, devotion and enthusiasm. He was also a great promoter of sports and games. Many people will miss a sincere counselor to their life problems. Thus Brother faithfully completed the mission entrusted to him by the Lord. May the Good Lord grant him Eternal Rest.