Whenever Father Vallés Spoke, People Listened

Points to Ponder: Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. - Mahatma Gandhi

Story Line: It was early 1970s. The Town Hall in Ahmedabad-India, the place I grew up in, was overfilled with people from all walks of life; different faiths and social backgrounds. The people from the city of 2 1/2 million comprising of 80% Hindus, 14% of Muslims, 3 % Jains and  1% Christians had gathered to listen to Jesuit Priest, Father Carlos G. Vallés.

Father Vallés, as he was affectionately known in the town, started his speech in Gujarati, the local language of the province. His pronunciations with a Spanish touch added flavor to the theme of his speech: Our differences are a few and similarities many. His speech covered the common values between different religions such as; understanding the pain of others, helping with humility, kindness, alignment between thoughts speech and actions and the service of God. He was connecting with the audience on three levels; speaking in their mother tongue, he was speaking from clear understanding having spent time learning about other cultures and religions, and he was totally dedicated to his faith.

Carlos G. Vallés was born in Spain on 11/4/1924. When he was 10, his father died and soon after his family lost everything during Spanish Civil War. At the age of 15, he joined Jesuit School and dedicated rest of his life in the service of God. Nine years later, he was sent to India to teach mathematics in a newly opened Saint Xavier’s school in Ahmedabad.

Relationships of mind are temporary, Relationships of heart will stay forever.

Soon after he arrived in India, he realized that teaching mathematics in English language was easy but to really connect with the students he needed to talk in their language; the one they conversed in after the class. So he went for two years intensive training to learn Gujarati. His colleagues called it a waste of time where as he felt it was necessity to reach the hearts. The other thing he did was to study the culture and the teachings of other religions. Once asked if he was diverting from his main job, he replied, “This is my main job: Love, harmony and peace amongst people.” He continued to deliver the message of his faith through clear understanding of its teachings.

Thousands of people waited for his weekly column in local magazine and newspapers. People looked forward to his talks at various religious conferences and festivals. He was welcomed in many Hindu, Muslim and Jain homes and stayed with them during day time and bicycled back to his seminary at night. He integrated in the culture just like sugar mixes with milk and makes it sweeter.

He shared his life experiences and learnings in 75 books in Gujarati, 24 in English and 42 in Spanish. During his time in India he received many awards and recognitions for his writings, service to the people and the commitment to his faith. After 40 years he returned to Spain to be with his 90-year-old mother and he continued his writings. She passed away at the age 101.

Reflection: Over the years, I have mentioned Father Vallés in my communication to many friends.  My memory of him is attending his lectures in the first year of college, not missing his weekly columns in in the local newspaper and his talk in the town hall.  

Just two days ago, I received a mail from the childhood friend stating that Father Vallés had left this earth at the age of 95. Every newspaper in Ahmedabad paid tribute to this great soul. The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi sent this message to the nation: "Father Valles endeared himself to many, especially in Gujarat. He distinguished himself in diverse areas such as mathematics and Gujarati literature. He was also passionate about serving society. Saddened by his demise. May his soul rest in peace," 

Father Vallés, Jesuit Priest from Spain, will forever live in the hearts of millions of people of different faiths. He left a rich legacy through his teachings, talks, writings and most importantly his unconditional love for fellow human beings. I am fortunate that our paths crossed in this journey. I will remember him for:

1. Constancy of Purpose: The unwavering commitment to his Faith in Jesus Christ and living life consistent with His teachings. I can guess what his last words were before he left this earth.
2. Living Life with examples: “Love others as I have loved you”, Seek to understand before being understood, not imposing his believes on others.
3. Respecting diversity and bringing peace and harmony through common values and teachings.
4. Understanding “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.*”

On the last day of class in 9^th grade Mr. Mansuri, our Hindi teacher, told us beautiful parting words from Yogananda that I like to repeat today for tribute to Father Vallés: “When you came to this world, the people were smiling and you were the one crying. Live life in such a way that when you leave, the people are crying and you are the one smiling.”

 

 * Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in The Little Prince

 

Comments

[Nandeep Nagarkar]

Dear Anand

One of the most beautiful tributes I’ve read Thabk you for sharing.

[sujat]

Thank you for sharing this account and reflection. From his photo and from your description of Father Vallès, the only thing I can feel about and through this grand gentleman is an abundance of peace and magnanimity. Fortunately must have been all his students who got the opportunity to refine themselves under his aegis.Such phenomena never die; they just discard an old body. 😊🙏

[CH]

World getting smaller, people from different cultures have more chance than ever to cross paths, work and live together. 'Respecting diversity' is the key to bring peace and harmony.

Not to forgot. Happy Diwali to those whom celebrate … may millions of lamps illuminate your life with joy, prosperity, health and wealth forever 😊

[Cal Grad]

Nice reflection and tribute to Father Vallés. Stayed true to his Christian Jesuit roots

[Humble Warrior]

Beautiful reflection for a man who lived an exemplary life.

Anand, let me know if you have a book recommendation of his, thank you...

"leading with the heart", I love that.

[BHSC]

What a nice reflection.
As always, thank you for sharing.
Your friend

[Cebuana]

Very true....and very content of you have...now--that's happiness too.

[Carol]

What a heavy weight in humanity and touching hearts! Those parting words are poignant. Thanks for sharing.

[Sam]

Last week in my church sermon, our pastor highlighted that one of the biggest actions for a follower of Christ is to serve others. Father Valles did just that. That is why he lives in the hearts of millions of people. I had recently heard a youtube talk by Swami Sarvapriyananda from Ram Krishna Mission which is very relevant here. He mentioned that among the 3 great powers of our mind, is the ability to serve others. It actually brings much more joy in our hearts serving others than when we spend money to find that happiness. I wanted to share this video to highlight that all religions have tried to give us the wisdom to lead a happy life. Three Great Powers of the Mind – Swami Sarvapriyananda

[Sam]

Here is the link I wanted to share: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IocVfGW40gM

[ST]

What a lovely reflection and brilliant tribute to a truly lived man spreading and teaching the meaning of humanity. What motakaka has written is so very true. Relationships of the heart lasts forever.

[Anand]

To Humble Warrior
You will find the list of Father Valles books in English in the following link.
http://carlosvalles.com/ningles/imislibros.htm

[A Friend from Singapore]

I am still thinking how i came to know about him at school, I will share this with my classmates and colony friends... I wonder how such individuals are driven who leave every thing behind to live their life in some unknown land. I feel those times our schools and teachers were different... does this world still produce people like this? Current media is so much full of negativity... we need so many more of such role models.

[KFC Penang]

Again another inspiring FR. Language is very powerful for communication. And very meaningful parting words from Mr. Mansuri.

[ET Filipina friend]

You're blessed to hv someone like Father Valles as your teacher...a sincere,wise n good man of God...

[NJ]

I admire those missionaries who devote their life to a foreign country just because they were sent by their religious organization. The utmost love of all is to give your life to those whom you don’t even know.

[BHSC]

A life well lived… with purpose and kindness

[Shardamandir Friend]

Nice story ! And great experiences of life, thanks for sharing

[MC- Singapore]

Thanks for sharing this Anand. It really touches me.

[DR]

A beautiful reflection on a beautiful soul. ❤️🙏

[Hiralben]

I agree with both Father Valles and the author I believe that religion and creeds are man made so far as man makes different creeds because God neither Allah has left any gap in man's creation He has created all equal in one's blood in some color There is no difference. Hindu's dark red, Muslim's light red. Hindu has three hands, Muslim has two hands and Parsi has one hand. There is no such thing as God has not kept any distance.

[Prasad Vepa]

Inspiring FR post on Father Carlos Vallés. His teachings have a universal resonance and appealed a lot to me with my early schooling in Catholic and Theosophical schools and subsequent exposure to Vedanta after coming to CA in '76.

[Chandler.]

Still love reading these
Thank you