A Tribute to my Guru: Fr. Aloysius Pieris S.J.

By Avishka Mario Senewiratne

Fr. Aloysius Pieris, fondly called ‘Fr. Aloy’ by those close to him, has been one of the most outstanding scholars in the last seven decades. He is a diligent researcher, who has published volumes of papers and books on liberation theology and Indology. Fr. Aloy is undoubtedly one man who was born great and continues to live life to the fullest.

His greatest passion, however, was to be a people’s priest. I witnessed this since becoming a close acquaintance 11 years ago. I am not going to write of Fr. Aloy’s life as a scholar as I am not qualified to write an authoritative account of such a brilliant academic. However, I know for a fact he was one of those very few individuals who preached and wrote what he practised. At the event of his 90th birthday, I think it is timely to recount my many memories of Fr. Aloy and offer my humble tribute to a man I consider my guru.

In 2013, a teacher of mine at St. Joseph’s College spoke to me about Fr. Aloy and his work. Intrigued by what he said, I was keen to meet him. I was surprised to learn that he lived in the Tulana Centre, in Gonawala, which was less than a mile from my home in Kelaniya. So, when Christmas vacation was on, I decided I must meet him. At that point, I was 15-years old and he was 79. Little did I know, my life was to change. His first reaction when he saw me was “Ah young man, welcome!”.

I still remember his delightful face at that moment. He was clad in his usual attire, a simple short-sleeved shirt and an even simpler sarong with a few holes here and there. How about that for a priest with three PhDs? We had a long chat that very first day. I was stunned by his humility, wisdom and ability to speak on many subjects in such a short time. Before meeting him that day, I did not expect to come often to Tulana. Nevertheless, Fr. Aloy and I developed a great friendship. I made it a point to visit him every fortnight or perhaps every month. Why? His inspiration is sublime!

Though short in stature, and standing no more than 5’4, Fr. Aloy is a giant. A man with great grit, courage and an indomitable will. His is a genuine intellect that never tolerates injustice and constantly represents the poor and oppressed. He is one who does not know or feel ‘fear’. When a giant with such qualities becomes my friend and guru, how can I not be inspired? Before I met Fr. Aloy, I must say I was quite weak in many aspects of my life, especially in taking the initiative and the ability to speak. All these would change for the better. Thank you, Father Aloy!

Fr. Aloy nursed my soul. He made me a better man over time. How did he do this? Simply by bringing me closer to the Creator, the One above. He made me understand the scriptures better, taught me to pray in a self-effacing manner and most importantly to learn the most important commandment: LOVE. He groomed me to be a Christian in its fullest sense. For these reasons, alone I am grateful to Fr. Aloy.

Throughout the last 11 years, I went through some unprecedented successes as well as failures. In each of those moments, Fr. Aloy was with me. I remember when I had a personal crisis in my early 20s, how he comforted and prayed with me to get over that challenge. On one occasion he asked me to come at 10 o’clock in the night to simply speak to me and strengthen my spirit. It is fair to say he was like a father to me throughout these years. To be a close associate, and a protégé of this prophetic figure is perhaps one of the greatest things that has happened to me. Thank you, Fr. Aloy!

A group of friends in Kelaniya, myself included once asked Fr. Aloy whether he could facilitate a weekly Bible talk. Though initially reluctant, he agreed to do so. I know for a fact that he prepared across seven days to deliver a talk of one hour each Sunday evening. Connecting the Sunday scripture readings (First Reading and the Gospel), he delivered a fascinating homily. He gave us a historical context of the scriptures for the day and went deep into its roots, theologizing it to the modern context. Those who attended these Bible talks can bear witness to the prophetic role Fr. Aloy played in bringing out countless gems from the scriptures, which many others had not known or avoided. Fr. Aloy would often say, “The Vatican II Council encouraged us to enjoy the fruits of the Eucharist as well as the Scriptures.”

Fr. Aloy saw in me something which I never noticed until then. One day he asked me “Avishka, do you want to be a priest?”. I did not want to be one and I made that clear to Fr. Aloy. “Ah that doesn’t matter. I want you to meet a scholarly priest. Come along!”. He did not technically introduce me to a priest but to a collection of old books owned by one of the most eminent historians, Fr. S. G. Perera SJ. The late Fr. Perera’s collection of rare books on Ceylon, supplemented by Fr. Aloy’s own additions in the last 50 years, has made this collection one of the finest sets of books on Lankan affairs, especially history.

Fr. Aloy who has been its curator was very concerned about its safety and would not allow anyone, except those with genuine interest to peruse them. He said to me: “I see your thirst for knowledge. You want to know more about the country, the church, individuals! You better read these books and see what they have to offer”. What they had to offer was immense and my life changed. I must have spent nearly a thousand hours in this library across the last decade. I still have a long way to go in terms of perusing the books.

This is what is special. Fr. Aloy saw something in me that I did not discern till then. Pursue history he said. “This is your passion and it’s a gift from God.” I like a fool argued with him saying, “Hardly anyone is interested in this father. My friends loath history”. His response struck me like lightning: “Which is why you must be a historian. You must bring that change.”

I may have professionally ventured into another flamboyant but serious field. However, I was convinced that I had a calling to be a student of history, study it objectively and critically and bring out written works. Ten years later, with many publications and many projects completed as an amateur historian, I am grateful for Fr. Aloy’s prophetic vision and advice. Thank you, my father Aloy.

When many did not take my cause in historical research seriously, Fr. Aloy treated me very magnanimously. He encouraged me to write research articles on Sri Lankan Church history. He was very critical of my presentation and pushed me to write objectively. He stressed the fact that I must stick to the facts and refer proper documents. This training I received from the man was divine. He often told me, “Avishka, history is an interpretation. One could always draw different mosaics of the same view.” Some of my early research was published in VAGDEVI – Journal of Religious Reflection, which Fr. Aloy has been editing for over 15 years.

I have had many disagreements with him and have not accepted some of his Socialist views and policies. However, I am convinced that he is the definition of a man of God, and most importantly: a man for others. The way he connected everything with the Divine, spoke volumes of the man’s deep piety. He was not only a man of prayer but one who would constantly ask others to pray. He once said, “Avishka, the Lord always speaks to us. The problem is we are deaf to His voice. Be in prayer and you will be answered.”

Fr. Aloy had his own share of tragedies and setbacks in his 90 years. However, he remained in deep faith. His faith was that which could move mountains. One other factor that amazed me was his ability to work like a young man even in his late 80s. I would sometimes enter his office and look from a distance how Fr. Aloy was on his computer with his headphones on. Though he never owned a smartphone in his life, the man loves working with his computer. Seeing the man with an old Bible in his hand making notes even at this age intrigued me.

Fr. Aloy, though being a busy man his whole life, his policy when seeing someone there to meet him, would stop whatever he was doing and have the most earnest conversation. I am yet to meet another who has a habit like this. Last year, Fr. Aloy asked me whether I could be the editor and designer of the first part of his autobiography. He was previously determined not to ever publish this document. However, I convinced him of the importance of that work, for it was not only his life but also a history of the period in question. So, accepting his invitation was an honour. I produced the limited edition “A Theography of My Life and Work, Volume 1 (1934 – 1973)” by Fr. Aloy. He was deeply moved when I presented him with the first copy on his 89th birthday.

I can go on and on writing the very many ways Fr. Aloy made me who I am. His lessons, advice and inspiration are something one could say is beyond human. I praise the Lord for giving Fr. Aloy to this world; a true angel of love and peace. May the good Lord shower Fr. Aloy with his abundant blessings and may he continue his ministry going from strength to strength.