Fr. Penki Parmeshwara Rao, TOR, the son of Mrs. P.M. Sajana and late P. Arulappa, was born on January 24,1973 at Madurawada, in the Archdiocese of Vishakapattanam. He is survived by his mother, his three brothers and three sisters of whom one is a religious sister: (Sr. Jaya Mary, Sisters of Charity).
After completing his studies in his hometown, he joined the TOR Franciscans in August 1993, and had his postulancy at St. Francis Minor Seminary, Harmu, Ranchi. Thereafter, he entered the Novitiate on April 16, 1995 and made his Simple profession on April 17, 1996 and his Solemn Profession on May 30, 2002. He received his Bachelor of Philosophy and Theology from Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram, Bangalore. He also secured a diploma in social work from Xavier Institute Jabalpur.
The Sacerdotal Ordination of Parameshwar was held at St. Peter’s Cathedral Gnanapuram, Andhra Pradesh on May 5, 2004. The Sacrament of Holy Priesthood was confirmed on him by Most Rev. K. Mariadas, MSFS, the late Archbishop of Vishakhapatnam. Fr. Parameshwar began his priestly ministry as the associate director of candidates and assistant parish priest at St. Francis Church, Gokhla, Bihar. Thereafter he carried out his ministry with great love, sincerity and dedication as the headmaster of the school at Babumahal, Bihar, director of the professed at Eluru, Andhra Pradesh and finally as the parish Priest at Our Lady of Assumption Church at Seethanagaram, Andhra Pradesh.
On July 8, 2019 while returning to his parish after visiting our friars at Madurawada, his car was hit by a speeding truck and he went to his Eternal Home on the spot. Sister death embraced our dear brother very quickly and too early. He lived just 46 years of his life. Just 23 years as a religious and 15 years as a priest. The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord (Job 1: 21). Blessed are you Lord for Sister Death, gate way to Eternal Glory (St. Francis of Assisi).
The funeral of Fr. Parameshwar was held at St. Francis Church Madurawada, Andhra Pradesh on 10th July 2019 at 3 p.m. officiated by His Grace, Most Rev. Prakash Mallavarappu, Archbishop of Vishakhapatnam, assisted by Rev. Fr. Augustine Kulapuram, minister provincial. The body of Fr. Parameswar was interred with great honours at the Cathedral Cemetery. A large number of priests, religious and laity gathered to condole his death and pray for the departed soul.
Fr. Parameswar was a man of integrity, dedication and hard work. He was known for his simplicity, sincerity, friendliness and love for the people specially the poor. The untimely departure of our beloved brother has created an irreplaceable loss not only for the Province of St. Louis, but the entire Franciscan Order and the whole Catholic Church. We have lost an authentic Franciscan, a genuine missionary and a good steward. May the exemplary life and apostolic dynamism of Fr. Parameshwar continue to inspire us.