Media Release
Mangaluru, June 3: The evening of June 3 saw faculty, staff, students, and well-wishers gather in anticipation for the much-awaited launch of Touched by Angels – A Portrait of Father Muller Charitable Institutions, a coffee table book chronicling the history of FMCI.
Karnataka Sahitya Akademi awardee Jayanth Kaikini was the chief guest, while bishop emeritus of Mangaluru diocese Dr Aloysius Paul Dsouza presided over the launch. FMCI director Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho and director designate Fr Faustine Lucas Lobo patroned the event.
William Pais, the author and designer of the book, gave a detailed presentation on the development and conceptualisation of the publication. He credited Fr Richard for initiating the project and Fr Ajith Menezes for his creative input, calling the book a tangible outcome of FMCI’s 150-year legacy.
The book was released with a symbolic and artistic presentation featuring cold fireworks and an angel-wing-themed podium, with plaster figurines creating a sense of timelessness. The dignitaries held the first copies, which shimmered like old gold—rich with untold stories.
To honour the key contributors, FMCI director and director designate felicitated Fr Ajith Menezes (administrator, FMMC) for conceptualising and garnering support for the book, William Pais for authoring, designing, and overseeing printing, and the Father Muller Medical College Alumni Association, under the leadership of past president Dr Archana Bhat and incumbent president Dr Reshma Kini, for their financial assistance.
Dr Jayanth Kaikini delivered an inspirational address filled with anecdotes. He observed that those who have worked at FMCI have transcended barriers of caste, creed, and religion, turning the institution into a spiritual space of healing. He described FMCI’s workforce as white pigeons—symbols of peace and life—and reflected on the journey of Fr Augustus Muller, who arrived in Mangaluru from Germany as an academic but became a healer for the rejected and downtrodden.
Kaikini likened FMCI’s evolution to a test cricket match, with deep roots like a banyan tree offering shelter and solace. He urged everyone to carry FMCI’s spirit of compassionate healing into their communities.
Dr Aloysius Paul Dsouza described FMCI as a beacon of hope and compassion. He recalled the early challenges of founding new colleges, managing affiliations, and staffing, all overcome by the dedication of FMCI’s directors and their teams. He credited Fr Augustus Muller and the Sisters of Charity for laying the foundation of this mission of healing.
The Father Muller Medical College Alumni Association presented a cheque in support of the book project.
Dr Reshma Kini, professor of Pathology at FMMC and incumbent alumni president, proposed the vote of thanks.
Jyothi Pinto, HR manager at FMCI, compered the event with poise and grace.
The day marked an important milestone in FMCI’s 145-year journey—a mission to heal, a passion to serve in the vineyard of the Lord. Today, the institution shelters over 3,000 faculty and staff, 6,000 students, and countless patients and well-wishers who have passed through its halls.
Collector’s editions of Touched by Angels are available at Rs 5,000 from the director’s secretariat or can be booked via email at muller@fathermuller.in.
A part of Mangaluru’s healing legacy now lives on in print—Touched by Angels, a sea of healing and compassion.