Fr Varghese Alengaden shocked many with his untimely and unexpected death. Many of us had last met him on February 1, 2023 at the 9th Global Peace Convention at Porbandar in Gujarat. He was indeed a rare diamond with rough edges. Hailing from Kerala, like a true missionary, he began religious life as a priest, in the Sagar diocese, with traditional religious values. Soon the pendulum oscillated to the other extreme. Reality, gradually enlightened him along life’s journey to find the mid-way path.

Leaving the Sagar diocese in Madhya Pradesh, true to his inner calling, he began with Swami Sacchidananda’s Dharma Bharati Movement in Hyderabad; and soon it metamorphosed into the birth of the Universal Solidarity Movement (USM) of Value Education for Peace in Indore in 1993. 

He was a visionary with a big dream of motivating and training youth to live the vision of India, as envisaged in the Indian Constitution; to bring about a civilization of love and the reign of God here on earth; as envisioned by Jesus and the Church. He had the wisdom to recognize talent, the charisma to attract and persuade people; and together with his ‘Ho Jayega’ (It will be done) belief, positive attitude, inclusive, broad, spiritual and Gandhian dictum of ‘Be the Change’, he was, slowly but surely, able to actualize his life-long commitment to launch a holistic movement for youth, to take charge of the nation. 

With deep faith and trust in God and the courage, compassion, commitment and daring to abandon the security of the church and institutions, he surrendered totally, and clung to God; tossed and battered along the storms of life. He boldly and shamelessly (with the ‘besharam’ flower as his symbol) endured it all, never gave up his vocation as a priest or the Church; and finally rebuilt himself and came out transformed, refined, polished and shining, sparkling like a diamond emitting his light and radiance all around. 

Completing his mission here on earth in 70 years, this unique, original, creative and dynamic visionary prophet, prolific writer, motivational speaker and fervent Gandhian, walked untrodden paths, introduced incredible, innovative ideas; adventurous plans, values and new age ministries; celebrating the gift of life all along. Self-discipline, hospitality and generosity especially for the elderly, rejected, and sick were his forte. 

Fr. Alengaden was exceptional in writing his personal journal daily without fail. He opened his heart and purse to one and all without counting the cost, even when his finances were low, and his energies feeble. On his table he had the caption, ‘I am busy, I have time for you.’ He accepted the rejected with open arms, visited the sick at great cost to self and honoured the dead by visiting their graves periodically, with great respect and gratitude, to seek their blessings.

I was fortunate to have worked and lived with him in the USM community, talked to him and received his blessings on February 1, 2023 at Porbandar, on the last day of the Peace Convention and prayed for him for five hours during his bypass surgery on March 4, and finally attended his last rites on March 28 at Indore. I consider myself amply blessed! 

Hundreds of people came to pay their homage to him at the Cathedral church. Parul Jain from Udaipur said, “It is really unbelievable that Fr Alengaden is no longer in this world”. 

The last rite services were preceded by a 20-minute documentary, giving glimpses of his life and work. Three bishops and more than 75 priests concelebrated the Mass of the Resurrection, at St Francis of Assisi Cathedral Red Church, Indore. The Eucharistic celebration was followed by an Inter-Faith Prayer Service, culminating with cremation at 5 p.m., which he had desired. His ashes were taken to Sagar diocese by his elder brother and mentor Johnny Alengaden and family, relatives and close friends, on March 29.

Fr Varghese Alengaden has left behind a legacy for us to emulate. Becoming catalysts and spreading his message is the best tribute we can pay him. May he rest in peace and receive his eternal reward in heaven.