Opening Doorz

By Martin D’Souza | Opening Doorz Editorial | October 30, 2024

A Walk With a Saint: Fr Lino Lopes

Sometimes you walk with a Saint and it takes a lifetime to realise the fact.

As humans, we often overlook that the person we interact with has a level of Godliness that only a few attain in this journey called life.

I have known Lino Lopes for just two years. From 1981 to 1983. We were both students. I reconnected with him on Facebook in 2014. I guess he was in Kudal then. Post that, we sporadically stayed in touch. He had invited me to visit him. I never did.

Later, we kept in touch over the phone and then FB messenger was our mode of communication, and his FB posts, which became fewer over the years.

His last post two weeks ago, was of special interest to me. He was with Mark Revlon. I don’t know how they know each other, maybe the Goan connection, but seeing these two together was a nice feeling.

Mark Revlon is a talented Goan performer par excellence who has the chutzpah to back his talent. I connected with Mark over two years ago with the promise to interview him. That is yet to happen. I will.

Remembering Fr. Lino Lopes: A Tribute

But this is about Lino Lopes. Fr. Lino Lopes to all.

Lino, as a boy, studying in Don Bosco Lonavala, stood out for not standing out. At least to me. He was quiet, unassuming and content being who he was. Coming from Goa, mingling with Bombay Boys would have had a culture shock on him. But he adapted well. I remember him always smiling whilst walking the long corridors during study-break, or during our interactions at the morning jobs.

For the uninitiated, morning jobs meant every boarder kept the premises pristine and clean. And we had fun doing that. From windows to corridors to classrooms to the chapel to even washrooms, we did it all. And we were proud to keep our premises clean.

On the football or hockey field, Lino gave it his all, although he was not the sporty type. All in all, he was always smiling, never a frown. From far away you would see his pearly whites. And I guess this he would have carried throughout his Priestly journey touching the lives of many along the way.

Our Special Connection

My special connection with Lino stems from the fact that for one whole year, we were neighbours in the dormitory, with a good three-feet distance. Some chit-chat would happen before we hit the sack before the Brothers in charge would walk around to see if every boy was sound asleep.

The moment the coast was clear, our chats would continue. When I did connect with him, almost 30 years later, I wondered if he would remember me. He did, and we took off from where we left in 1984.

Lino was always quiet as a boy. He was content in being who he was. Humble and grounded. He had this special pouch in which he slept during the winters. Winters in Lonavala in the early eighties were cold. So, every night, Lino would unzip the sleeping bag, and zip himself in. Sometimes he would leave his head out, sometimes he would dive right in. I envied him. Our blankets hardly kept us warm in the cold Lonavala winters.

Lino Lopes and His Warm Sleeping Bag

It was a sight to see Lino completely zipped up, enjoying the cozy feel only to come back to the reality of the cold at the crack of dawn.

Today, I got a message from an old friend, Rubelin D’Souza, saying Fr. Lino Lopes had passed away. It was a shock. Because there was no news of him being unwell. What happened, I inquired: “He passed away today at 12:30 pm. Heart attack. He was admitted to hospital yesterday,” he replied.

Now, Rubelin hardly ever stays in touch. So out of curiosity, I asked him why he messaged me with this news. He answered, “When I read the status ‘Don Bosco’, I thought of you.”

Now, I’m not Don Bosco, don’t claim to be, but yes, I am Forever Grateful to Don Bosco.

A Walk With a Saint: Fr Lino Lopes

I am also grateful that I walked with a Saint for two years as a schoolboy and it took me 40 years to realise this fact.

Rest in Peace, Dear Fr. Lino. Your sudden death will be a shock to your family and friends and all those whose lives you touched. You were too young to go. It came as a shock to me. Perhaps I should have left a comment on your last post.

I am sure, you will have a rousing welcome awaiting you at the Pearly Gates with Don Bosco, Mama Mary, and Jesus standing behind them.

If you left an indelible mark on me, I’m sure many like me will be mourning your loss.

Yes, sometimes we walk with a Saint and it takes a lifetime to realise the fact.

Post Script: Seeking more details about the funeral arrangements, I contacted Fr. Felix Fernandes, based at Don Bosco Parish, Nashik, and a Philosophy professor at Divyadaan. “His funeral is on All Saints’ Day, Martin,” he replied, surprising me. When I mentioned the headline of my tribute to Fr. Lino Lopes, he exclaimed, “Oh, My God!”

Funeral Details: The funeral of Fr. Lino Lopes (sdb) will be at 2.30 pm on November 1, 2024 at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Don Bosco Panjim, followed by the Funeral service and burial at 5.00 pm at Don Bosco Fatorda.

(Fr. Lino Lopes was Rector and Parish Priest at Sirsi in Karwar Diocese. He was a Salesian for 39 years and a priest for 28 years.)

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