40th anniversary of a priestly life of  Rev. Fr, Jephrin Monis

Interviewed By: Evelyn & Michael Machado, Heidelberg, Germany.

Reaching  40th anniversary of a priestly life is a jubilant feat and for Rev Fr Jephrin Monis, who rejoices his 40th Jubilee of priestly ordination on May the 1st, with his ardent gratitude to our Lord Jesus, for leading him with continued wisdom and divine grace, is truly a glorious accomplishment of his vocation being fulfilled. We are very much delighted and privileged to share with him the amazing joy on this occasion, as he is celebrating his triumph in a quiet atmosphere in a Retired Priests' Residence in Germany.  When we approached him for a short interview over the internet, he benevolently granted his approval.

Rev. Fr, Jephrin Monis

Fr Jephrin Monis  is a man of practical wisdom, knowledge and values.  He was born on August 26, 1951 as a third child out of 5 siblings of Anthony Monis and Angeline Monis nee D'Souza, in Padubelle village, in Udupi district.  He hails from a family which is very pious & respectable, compassionate & hardworking, being dutifully committed and devoted towards catholic religious environment. The spirituality and the religious atmosphere at home have been the source of  inspiration for many of his family members to turn out to be dedicated  priests and nuns. 

We are happy to specify in brief the attainments of Fr Jephrin's significant life milestones - journeying through adulthood:-

1)  In 1969 after completion of his High School studies, Fr. Jephrin Monis joined Varanasi/Benaras diocese with the desire to serve humanity as a catholic Missionary priest and entered St Paul's Seminary in Lucknow for his Minor Seminary Studies and Intermediate grade education. 

2)  He completed his Philosophy & Theology at St. Charles' Seminary, Nagpur, along with his B.A graduation from Nagpur University from 1972 to 1980 and B.D. from Angelicum, Rome. 

3)  On May 1st, 1980 he was ordained as a Priest by Late Rt. Rev. Patrick D'Souza, Bishop of Varanasi, and he celebrated his first Mass in his home parish, Padubelle - Pamboor on 5th May 1980.  From 1980 to 1983 he served in the Mission Centre - Sant Pushpa Ashram, Jamwoan, Ballia, as a Pastor. 

4)  In 1983 he moved to Rome for his doctorate studies at the Pontifical Salesian University. After completing his Licentiate he began his doctoral studies; but unfortunately, he had to interrupt his doctoral thesis for health reasons. 

5)  From 1983 to 1990 he served in several parishes in Germany and Italy on holiday representation in summer months or during Christmas and Easter holidays to earn money for his studies in Rome.  From 1990 he moved to Germany and served the parishes of Grossbottwar, Gemmrigheim, Hessigheim and Mundelsheim. 

6)  On August 15, 1992 he was appointed as a full pledged Parish Priest for Rudersberg and Welzheim Parishes in the diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart, Germany, where he served the community for 25 years and got retired on 1st September 2017.

7) While administrating his Pastoral Ministry in Rudersberg, he constructed an attractive Parish Centre "Martinushaus" and also renovated the entire church, the Parish Hall and the Kindergarten which made his worshippers happy and contended.  He also renovated during his pastoral care, Christ the King Church in Welzheim, Kindergarten and Parish House, and also got  a lovely Pipe-organ to the parish, that echoes its music during church celebrations, striking the tune of good memories of his dedicated hard work in the parish.

8)  During his Pastoral journey in Rudesberg and Welzheim, he has entertained a number of Priests, Bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals and also Religious Sisters and lay peoplefrom several dioceses of  India, giving them shelter, accompanying them around Germany & Europe, and also assisting them to find generous donors for fulfilment of their projects of humanity in their mission. Cardinal Tarcius Toppo of Ranchi and Cardinal Oswald Gracias of Bombay visited Fr. Jephrin several times during his pastoral ministry in Rudesberg. Fr. Jephrin supported and sponsored, through big-hearted donors and Charity Institutions in Germany, the Developmental Social Projects for the Poor and the needy,  Solar Projects for Electricity, besides Construction and Renovation of Schools, Churches, Parish Halls, Bishops Houses, even Cathedral Churches, which projects were  presented to him by many Bishops, viz., late Bishop Patrick D’Souza of Varanasi,  Archbishop Albert D’Souza of Agra, Bishop Gerald John Mathias of Lucknow, Bishop Emeritus A.P. D'Souza of Mangalore, Bishop Robert Miranda of Gulbarga, Bishop Emeritus Antony Fernandes of Bareilly, Bishop Oswald Lewis of Jaipur, Bishop Francis Serao of Shimoga, Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo of Udupi, etc., who visited him frequently in Rudesberg.  Mother General Emeritus of SRA Congregation, Sr. Maria Goretti, also visited several times & his sister, Sr. Vera Monis, SRA for their social projects, specially for the education of the poor children, Boarding Houses, Convents, Nurses' School, Social Centres etc.

9) Since his younger sister Vera Monis belongs to the Congregation of Missionary sisters Queen of the Apostles (SRA), he has supported very many projects of this congregation in Vamanjoor, Honnavar (in Karwar Diocese), Shimoga-Sorabha, Kallianpur and in many other places. He has been helping humanity projects in Africa also, specially for the HIV infected children in Jinja, Uganda, in his best capacity, and visits often the mission work there. “Manasa”, (the Rehabilitation and Training Centre for the mentally retarded, speech and hearing impaired children) in Pamboor, Padubelle, Udipi District, is the biggest mission project, which is indeed a very successful achievement of Rev. Fr. Jephrin Monis.  By his enormous efforts and restless work, this whole project in its initial stage was completely sponsored by Germans, under his office and guidance.

10)  Fr. Jephrin was very much associated to his home Parish, Holy Cross Church, Pamboor-Padubelle from the beginning of its inception in 1967.  He has been supporting the Parish right from the beginning for various projects of the Parish connected for the enhancement of their Parish-Hall, Youth Centre, Belfry,  Parish House, generator and engine for electricity when power fails etc. All the Parish Priests who followed Fr. Denis D’Souza, who built the Church were in contact with Fr Jephrin for financial support.  To renovate and extend the Holy Cross Church and build a new Parish House, for the Golden Jubilee of the Parish in the year 2017, Fr Jephrin had arranged partial financial support from his Diocese Rottenburg-Stuttgart in Germany, besides his own contribution. Five houses were constructed, and two wells for drinking water were dug, for the poor families, as a preparation for the Jubilee, from 2012 till the Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Parish in December 2017.  Bishops A. P. D’Souza of Mangalore and Gerald Lobo of Udupi, along with the then Parish Priest Rev.Fr. Paul Rego with Parishioners honoured Fr Jephrin on the day of Golden Jubilee celebration on the 21st  December 2017.

11)  In 1995, "Kala Kendra" Music and Dance  School and College in Varanasi  at "Nav Sadhana Pastoral Centre" is  one of the big Projects upheld and sponsored by Fr. Jephrin, with the support of Parishioners of Rudersberg & many other German  Parishes & Charitable Financial Agencies. When the first group completed their Graduation, they travelled all the way to Rudersberg in 1999, along with the Director late Rev. Prof. Thomas D’Sa, with 3 teachers and 18 dancers, all of them were sponsored by Fr. Jephrin for their boarding and lodging for about 2 months.  Fr. Jephrin had organised & set up more than 75 shows of beautiful Biblical, Liturgical and Indian cultural dances all over South Germany and Austria. Because of its great success in 1999,  Missio Aachen and Missio Munich invited the group again in 2000 and Fr Jephrin had put up over again more than 40 dance shows in north Germany (in different churches and schools in Essen, Hamburg, Aachen, Berlin and Cologne) and also a few shows in  EXPO-2000 in Hannover for a week.  A sponsorship Programme for the poor girl-dancers for their studies was planned and structured under his guidelines.Like Manasa Centre in Pamboor, Udupi, this is also one of the best Institutions in north India (Varanasi) sponsored by Fr. Jephrin through his well-wishers for several years, which is till today progressing very well and has brought many public laurels and praises in the society.  All the girls who completed their dance studies in the Institution of "Kala Kendra" are now employed in the schools as teachers.

Rev. Fr. Jephrin Monis is well known to a number of people in Catholic community, as well as people of other religion and cultures, in Mangalore, Udupi, Varanasi, Allahabad, Lucknow, Agra,and several other places in India and abroad, especially in Germany as a person, who is always deeply interested and concerned in the well being of others.  He is a large-hearted man, generous, helpful with full of understanding, and extremely sensitive to the needs of the poor, the handicapped and the down trodden.  He has developed multiple contacts all over Germany, with almost all the charitable institutions, to raise funds to realise the welfare projects of many dioceses of India, specially  Mangalore, Udupi, Shimoga, Gulbarga, Lucknow, Agra, Chandigarh, and Varanasi dioceses, that were brought to him for the benefit of the unwanted, unloved and uncared people in our society. When he reflects over his hard work to fulfil the missions in India, he specially remembers his parishioners, Heidrun & Uli Schessl, Hedwig & Kaus Heubach, for their personal support, friendship and compassion shown to him during his pastoral ministry in Rudesberg.

Among all the qualities found necessary in a priest, most of the people put dedication, commitment and holiness as the first.  It is indeed very difficult to be a fully dedicated priest of all virtues, seeking to conform himself to our Lord Jesus, deeply attached to his religious commitment and mission, using all his talents and ability to build up the kingdom of God on earth. But Fr. Jephrin Monis has proved himself to be a good priest, and a good administrator during his 40 years of his priestly life, with a deep sense of commitment, and love for our Lord Jesus and the church and his community.  He is, no doubt, gifted with a unique quality of touching the heart of those who are entrusted in his care. When we approached him to tell us about his pastoral journey for the past 40 years of his priesthood, he has willingly offered us an opportunity to share with us his wisdom and experience, even in spite of his health problems & busy schedules of his daily routine retired life.

Evelyn: You were a pioneer in developing spirituality everywhere you served as a priest that seems to recognize the spiritual thirst in our modern world, in fact in all religions and cultures.  How do you define spirituality and suggest that spirituality is a selected way of life?

FR. Jephrin:  Yes, our world is hungry and thirsty for spiritual life.  Spirituality is nothing else, but live a life, which gives a place to God.  Every human being is called to spiritual life.  Spiritual life is so varied as human beings. God breaths his breath in the heart and soul of every human being, and sends him in this world to admire the creation of God and to praise the wonderful deeds of the Creator.   Every person should be holy in his way of life.  All holiness before God is work of the Holy Spirit.  Love God and love your neighbour as yourself.   This commandment fulfils all the laws of heaven and earth. If you would like to be holy, then, just be a  contended and happy person.

Healthy and happy spirituality gives you the sense of peace, wholeness and the balance among the physical, emotional, social and spiritual aspects of our lives. However, for most of people, the path of such spirituality passes through struggles and suffering.  But one should remember that life is always full of ups and downs, good times & bad, with joy and sorrow.  But spirituality can relieve you from dependence only on material things, and help you to understand your life's greater purpose.  Spirituality recognises that our role in life has a greater value.

Michael: Compassion towards the family and neighbours is absolutely essential in life and it has been lost among us in our modern society.  How can we move towards a positive direction to regenerate and develop it in the families and in our communities at large?

Fr Jephrin: You are right.  Our world, in spite of religious renewals, has lost respect and regard not only towards one another, but also love and respect to God.  We do not want to give God His right place in the family and in the society.  Where there is no God, there is no love. Another fact we should not ignore to realize that in our modern families the "Mammon" has taken the place of God.  We adore our money and wealth more than God.  Where money and wealth reign, there dwells greed, egoism, coldness, lovelessness, pride and jealousy.  These evils do not tolerate virtues like, faith in God, humility and  simplicity of life, love for our neighbours or relatives, forgiveness of sins, love for the poor, compassion etc., which would transform the hearts and minds of people and would bring peace and respect to all.

The only means to regenerate love and compassion in our families is to descend from the position of self pride and become humble.  To listen to St. Paul's words to the Colossians: "You are loved by God, and you are his chosen holy people. Therefore put on real compassion, goodness, humility, mildness and patience.   Forgive one another. Do not falsely accuse the other. Forgive as God forgives you.  Above all love one another, because love alone binds everything together”.  In short : to renew and regenerate our Christian life in the families, we should be prepared to be humble before God and love one another, as we are, because all are loved by God.

Evelyn: Please delight us with your experience describing some of the amusing incidents of those 40 years of your priesthood.  Do the good old memories give you joy and comfort to your heart?

Fr. Jephrin: I know very well the path I walked for 40 years of my priestly life.  It was straight, difficult and  was sometimes like the edge of a sword!  I immensely rejoiced walking on it, in good faith in God, with hope, love, peace and dignity.  Due to my weakness I may have sometimes somewhere slipped down a few times.  But Lord Jesus touched me in my tears and joys, and I have grown tall.  

Often I remember that I have experienced some very hard and sorrowful incidents in my priestly life, but the whole journey has been quite amusing.  Your eyes see better and clear, when the clouds rain down and the air becomes pure.  Such experiences help you to discover the ways of God. God says:  "My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways."  His ways are always wonderful and consoling.   Now, when I reflect my priestly life during the last 40 years, I discover so many graces of God, that I cannot think of being something else, than what I am - a Priest!  “ I am what I am, through the Grace of God”

Michael: It is often publicly expressed that the priesthood should be understood as a commitment to service and not an opportunity for career-climbing in the religious life.  Would you care to comment on this theme if you would like to?

Fr. Jephrin: As a priest, to express my commitment to service, I have the satisfaction of my heart  to say, that I have done exceedingly well in the service of humanity.  I have contributed my best efforts, my time, my health & means, for raising funds for the welfare of the sick, the poor, the orphans, the down trodden, for the education of needy and  the poor children, to build the religious institutions, schools  and churches, in many dioceses in India, as well as in Africa, by pleading countless generous donors and charitable institutions in Germany.  It has been a great solace for me now those happy memories to cherish, in the autumn days of my retired life.

There is no greater career in this world, than to be a priest.  God's highest call to be very close to Him, to sit at His table, to bring the world with its pains and sorrows to God, and to share God's blessings with the people who are hungry for God, is the greatest service one can render in this world. In priestly and religious life there is no ladder to climb up.   All religious people have to climb down, deep down to the feet of people, as God stooped down to mankind. St. Paul says: "Jesus was Son of God, but He did not hold fast on to it, but he stooped down to the people and became a slave.  He humbled himself and became one like us." And Jesus said to his apostles. One, who wants to be great among you, should become the servant of all.  One who raises himself will be humbled and one, who humbles himself, will be raised!

Evelyn: Being truly passionate follower of the Good Shepherd what would be your message to all the Mangaloreans around the world?

Fr. Jephrin: Who can give better message to Mangaloreans than the message already given by Jesus?  "Love one another as I love you", says Jesus.  Love is the fulfilment of all laws.  This law of Love binds and unites and builds a bridge between heart to heart, between earth and heaven, between Man and God.   It might cost most of us a great amount of humility, self-denial and compassion.

Mangalore is blessed with great beauty and nature.   Today the Mangaloreans are challenged to demonstrate their faith in the midst of trials.  People at home need the prayers and support of all who are scattered in the world. We have to learn to forgive our enemies and love them.  Jesus says: "They persecute me; but you, love your enemies, and do good to those, who hate you". “May the Holy Mother Mary help, guide and protect all Mangaloreans to bear witness to Jesus”.

 “Mission is the Vision of God”says Fr. Jephrin, and he also shared with us his realistic thoughts that as a priest what he has learnt: “when people begin to appreciate us who we are, they will begin to respect & accept us as one of their own. We must always have something authentic to offer in the name of Christ; life seems to be good, beautiful and fulfilling, as our Good Lord, Jesus, leads us on all through our life paths, whether smooth, thorny or unknown!” and this applies to all people and vocations, we must say.  We wish him all the best in his retired life, all days ahead, and may God bless him with all the finest gifts of life, specially long life, good health, joy, peace and happiness abundantly throughout his life.

We furnish here below a few Photographs from his Personal Photo Album he preserved, to cherish the good old memories in his autumn days!

With Pope John Paul II

With Pope Francis

With Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop Albert D'Souza,

Bishop Henry D'Souza, Sr. Stephina & others

Monis Family at Padubelle

Family with Cardinal Oswald Gracias on his 60th Birthday Celebrations

With  parish Council Members of Rudersberg

Honouring the Parish Members for their long voluntary Service

With Cardinal Tarcius Toppo and Dr Bernhard Graf & his Wife

With 3 City Mayors of Welzheim, Kaiserbagh and Rudersberg at his Farewell on 30.07.2017

Fr Jephrin honoured By Holy Cross Church, Pamboor, at Golden Jubilee Celebration on 21.12.2017

Fr Jephrin honoured by Bishops A. P. D'Souza and Gerald Lobo on 21.12.2017

With his Friend, Bishop Gerald Mathias at his Farewell Mass on 30.07.2017

Silver Jubilee Felicitation song by his Mangalorean Friends from Heidelberg in 2005

With Mrs. Daphne and Dr Edward Lobo from Manasa at Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2005

Manasa Rehabilitation & Training Centre, at Pamboor

With dancers of "Kala Kendra", Varanasi in 2000

With children of Jinja Community, Uganda in 2017

With Religious Sisters of Jinja Community, Uganda.

With Fr. Henry Patrao & friends from Heidelberg

With Pope Pope Benedict XVI in 2008