[Shri Rafiq Master, known for his teaching excellence, is now a full-time social worker. He opted out of his teaching profession through voluntary retirement at the age of 40 years, as his passion was social work. He was a government employee and taking up voluntary retirement means his vision was excellent. He started working as an honorary counselor at Talent Research foundation, a renowned NGO in Mangalore. A staunch supporter of Snehalaya]

I SEE A SAINT IN BR. JOSEPH

I see a Saint in Br. Joseph Crasta About ten years back, I had been to the SAHAYA TV office along with the chairman of Talent research, Shri. Riyaz Kannur. The manager of Sahaya TV, Sadashiv Das showed us a video. On watching that video, we were excited. Mental ill patients, stinky, without a bath for months together, full of nuggets in the wounds & sours. The looks were horrible. They were being attended. We saw a great man in a simple dress giving them a clean shave, brushing their teeth, bathing them, cleaning their wounds, bandaging, and caring for them lovingly. We were moved by his gestures. Our curiosity increased.

We could not sleep that night. The same vision was recapping in my mind. I desired to see that great personality. The very next day, we both went to his ashram at Kunjuntur. The place had many mentally ill patients. So innocent, not knowing about their whereabouts, their condition, roaming without any directions, eating from dust bins, taking shelter in bus stands or streets, have landed here. We introduced ourselves to a great soul, a kind gentleman Joseph Crasta, who was serving them. Our acquaintance turned to friendship and for the last decade, I am part of their mission. Our friendship is strong & sweet. I have hosted many of Sneha laya’s events and sometimes as a guest, I am providing my minimal service. Shaikh Rifai, a saint, attended & treated a leprosy dog and therefore he was crowned as the greatest of all saints.

The compassionate Mother Teresa became a great mother to for the service rendered to lepers. They are a symbol of love, mercy, service and compassion. Perhaps I did not have the good fortune of meeting Shaiekh Rifai & Mother Teresa. But the Almighty was kind enough to get me associated with a merciful, spiritual, kind and compassionate human being, Joseph Crasta. We are in a time of discarding our own parents and sending them to old age homes. We are extremely selfish, think nuclear; I, my wife and my children. At such a backdrop caring the uncared, loving the unloved without knowing them, their caste, religion, who were on streets, mentally ill being picked attended, treated, cured, shaved, bathed, sheltered, feeding them is a divine humanitarian task. Reaching them home, provide them new lease of life and make them live like a renewed human.

I sometimes think what is the use of my hands if I cannot salute such a comrade of service, Joseph Crasta? Why am I holding a tongue that does not appreciate him? Why am I not writing about them? As I have seen, Br Joseph and his team’s humanitarian service is truly worth following and appreciative of. He does not see caste or religion. He is not hesitant to ask for help from anyone for the work he does. No promotion, no award creeper. The doors of his ashram is always open. It is a universal garden.

At the entrance of the ashram, we can see the portraits of three personalities belonging to three major religions. That’s how He honors all religions. He does not wear foot wares but moves around swiftly. I see a living saint in him. Straight talks, no deceit in the heart, a calm mind, courage, and a person who can face any challenge calmly. Always active as mercury. He is a man of great faith and trusts in the help of the unseen hands. A person who can build friendship bridges with any person. He is an aspirer to take the service to the next level. His loving words with humility, helping hands, prayerful mind, the promptness in reaching out to the needy are the only assets Br Joseph holds. Hundreds of people sheltered at the ashram, duly recovered and rehabilitated back to their families is the greatest contentment to Joseph. Each such moment is a feast to the eyes and pleasing to ears when the union takes place.

The silent prayer of the family members is thus answered. These are probably the greatest moments for Joseph. He is the one who feeds the hungry in the hospitals, and people on the street. For all these great reasons, Br. Joseph is an inspiration to me. I have dedicated my life to social service. That is why I took up voluntary retirement from Govt. service at forty years. But sometimes when I am frustrated with my work, I run to Snehalaya. One hug from Joseph his kind words rejuvenate me, like an energy drink. Such a human touch he possesses. May the humanitarian activities of Br. Joseph manifests, progress in the manifold. May the Almighty’s immense blessings be upon him. I wish & pray that people’s cooperation, and help be flown from all corners to support his mission. The greatest task in the world is to bloom a smile on the faces of the least. Last & the lost.