From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Apr 8: Senior priest of the Archdiocese of Bangalore, Rev Fr Puthota Balaiah, former Parish Priest of the St Francis Xavier Cathedral, died at the Clergy Home in the Archbishop’s House in Bengaluru on Saturday morning. He was 83.

The Funeral Service will take place on Monday, April 10, at 10.30 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church, Richmond Road. The mortal remains of Rev. Fr. Balaiah will be kept for public homage at Sacred Heart Church on Monday from 9.30 a.m. onwards. 

Fr Balaiah was born on November 24, 1933 at Kilacherry, Madras. 

His parents were the late  Anthya and the late Bagiamma who had two children, and they  joyfully offered them to the service of God. His Religious sister, Sr Emilda (A Charles Borromeo Sister) passed away last year.

Fr Balaiah did his initial studies in Loyola College, Madras. And after his studies, he opted to become a priest for the Archdiocese of Bangalore.

Since he was a studious and dynamic student, he was sent to the Papal Seminary, Poona, for his philosophy and theology courses.

After completion of his priestly studies, he was ordained a priest on 21.11.1964 at Kilacherry, Madras, by the Most Rev Dr Carvallo, the then Auxiliary Bishop of Madras - Mylapore.

Fr Balaiah had a special gift to develop the Shrines, which he did at Our Lady of Good Health Basilica, Shivajinagar; Mother of Mines Shrine, K.G. F.; and, very specially, the Infant Jesus Shrine, Vivikenagar. Due to his meticulous planning and hard work, the Infant Jesus Shrine at Viveknagar became a world famous Shrine that draws thousands of devotees every day. 

Although he was confronted with many problems, he was courageous and determined with perseverance to solve those problems with courage and equanimity. By nature, he was a very quiet and reserved person.

Fr. Balaiah also worked in Schools. When he was at Viveknagar, he had started the Bala Yesu Vidyalaya. He served the Archdiocese under various other capacities such as: a Member of the Priests’ Senate, College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Board of Education, Wherever he was posted, he willingly accepted his appointment and took initiative in developing the Parishes / Institutions by putting up buildings and upgrading the infrastructure.

“I never expected his end would come so soon. He died as he lived. He was a lover of the poor and the down-trodden. Whoever approached him in their needs and difficulties, he never sent them back with empty hands.  Because of his dedicated and selfless service, he had won the hearts of the faithful and received their appreciation and gratitude. He was a gentle and simple priest, and also a man of prayer. It is a well-known fact that he had a great devotion to Mother Mary and Infant Jesus, and put forth his best efforts to spread these devotions in his parishes and in the Archdiocese,’’ Archbishop Most Rev Dr Bernard Moras has said.

In his condolence message, the Archbishop said in the death of Fr. Balaiah, we have lost a very senior priest of our Archdiocese. We shall continue to gratefully remember his valuable services to the Archdiocese and also pray for the repose of his soul.