From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jul 9: The funeral of 61-year-old Fr Anthony Swamy, who passed away at a private Sagar Apollo Hospital, Marathahalli, in the city on Wednesday, July 8 will be held in private with a restricted number of persons at the Sacred Heart Church Priests' Cemetery in Richmond Town, even though the date and time are yet to be decided. He was serving as the parish priest of St Theresa Church, Robertsonpet, KGF, Kolar.
According to the Archdiocese of Bangalore, the body has been retained in the hospital for post-death investigations in view of the present COVID-19 norms as the priest passed away due to cardiac arrest and it is not clear when it is that he will be released for final rites.
"We are deeply shocked and saddened to learn that Fr Anthony Swamy has breathed his last on Wednesday night as his birthday was on Thursday, July 9. He has gone to the heavenly abode to celebrate his heavenly birthday in the presence of God in the company of angels and Saints," Archbishop Fr Peter Machado said in an obituary message.
Fr Anthony Swamy was born on July 9, 1959, in Bengaluru and was baptised at St Francis Xavier’s Cathedral, Bengaluru where he served as parish priest for several years. His parents were late C Anthony and late Sebastinammal. He was sixth among the nine siblings, including two girls. Now there are only three surviving children in the family.
After his primary and matriculation studies in St Anthony’s School and St Aloysius High School, Bengaluru, he decided to become a priest and joined the seminary. He was sent to St Mary’s Minor Seminary, Mysuru, to do his initial priestly formation and, during that time, he also did his studies at St Philomena’s College, Mysuru. Later, he was sent to do his philosophical studies at St Peter’s Pontifical Seminary, Bengaluru, and to do his theological studies at St Paul’s Seminary, Trichy.
He was ordained as a priest on May 10, 1988, at St Mary’s Basilica, Shivajinagar, by Archbishop Alphonsus Mathias. Incidentally, he had served as parish priest of the same Basilica and Rector of the Shrine for several years.
He was known for promoting devotions, especially devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mother Mary and St Anthony. His tireless services at St Anthony’s Church, Guddadhahalli (which was under St Peter and Paul’s Church, Rayapuram, before its bifurcation); and St Anthony’s Church, T C Palya, where he set up the beautiful St Anthony’s Park depicting the life of St Anthony; and St Anthony’s Church, Uttarahalli are indeed monumental. The annual Lenten Pilgrimage to Annamma Betta/Annamma Malai was organized very spiritually and meaningfully by inviting thousands of pilgrims from in and outside Bengaluru.
During his tenure as the parish priest of St Mary’s Shrine Basilica, Shivajinagar, he strived very hard for its spiritual and overall development and streamlined the First Saturday Devotions, Night Vigil Services, Bible Classes, Eucharistic Adoration and Penitential Services. He organized very devoutly and grandly the Annual Shrine Feasts in September at St Mary’s Basilica by organizing a number of spiritual programmes, seminars, gatherings and conventions.
When he was the Archdiocesan Chancellor and the PRO, he established a good rapport with the government officials, police personnel, state and central political leaders, press and media persons and religious heads to avail their services and help to serve the Christian community and also to maintain harmony and unity in the society.
As the coordinator of the Divine Mercy Devotion, Fr Anthony Swamy was instrumental in spreading the Divine Mercy Devotion in the Archdiocese by distributing Divine Mercy statues, pictures and prayer cards to the parishes and individuals. He recited daily the Divine Mercy Chaplet in the parishes at 3 pm, along with the people.
"We have lost a great, exemplary, dynamic priest who served the Archdiocese with real pastoral zeal and great commitment. I take this opportunity to express my deepest condolences to his brothers and sister and close relatives and friends, and also to the parishioners of St Theresa’s Church, Robersonpet, KGF, where he served last as its parish priest, and manager and correspondent of the parish institutions. The Archdiocese will remain ever grateful to him for his 32 years of dedicated and commendable priestly service. We wish him a heavenly birthday and pray that the Merciful Lord may grant him eternal peace and happiness. Let us also pray for the bereaved family members and friends that the Almighty God may give all of them the needed spiritual strength to accept this irreparable loss in the spirit of true Christian faith and hope," Archbishop Peter Machado said.
All the priests of the Archdiocese of Bangalore are requested to offer three Masses for the repose of the soul of Fr A S Anthony Swamy.
