DIMAPUR: 3rd March 2005 -- One of India's most fascinating missionaries and, for that matter, one of the more fascinating missionary stories in the Salesian collectanea, Fr. John Med's 70 years (as of November this year) in India as a missionary is now in writing.

    The Dimapur Provincial, Fr Thomas Mulauinkal, in the foreword to 'In His Name', described the work as "a thriller describing the adventures of a man deeply in love with God".

    Borin 1916 in the Czech Republic at Jihlava and professed as a Salesian in 1934, Fr Med was one of the first generations of Salesians from those parts - at that time a single province, 50 novices in his 'batch' from the Czech and Slovak Republics.  At a mere 18 years of age, one year later in 1935 'Med' arrived in Bombay (now Mumbai) en route to Madras (now Chennai).  His missionary dream had been China, but when he spoke to the first provincial of Madras at that time he said in all simplicity, "Tutto lo stesso" - "it's all the same to me"!  Chennai, not China, then, became the destination.

    So there he was, an 18 year-old Salesian stripling without a word of English, picking up his first English words from Fr Corcoran, part of the same expedition.  He had left behind another brother in the Czech Republic who also became a Salesian and who, was Fr Vaclav Klement's novice master (Regional, EAO).  It wasn't until 1970, some 35 years later, that Fr Med, now an Indian citizen, returned to his homeland to meet Fr Med, Czechoslovakia, as it was at that time. The latter Fr Med died in 1991.

    But back to India: Fr Med did his initial formation in Shillong and was then sent off to Tirapattur to be part of the aspirantate team there.  In 1958 he became provincial of Madras and amongst his first acts sold the Chevvy given to the province by Bishop Matthias and instead settled for a motor-bike!

    After his stint as Provincial he moved north and eventually ended up in Nagaland working for the tribal people there. Amongst his many accomplishments, Fr Med is a musician.  His music ministry is famous and effective, along with the catechetical productions he has put together over the years. His hymn collection 'All You Hills' has reached its 7th edition.

    Fr Med is now 89 and still going strong.  His life story was presented to the Rector Major on the occasion of his visit to Dimpaur last week.  

    In His Name - edited A.J. Sebastian SDB (Reader and Head, English Department Nagaland Central University, Kohima).  Published DB Publications Dimapur, January 2005.  Rp 150. 204 pages, 134 text 70 photos.