Patna: Thousands of people from various parts of Bihar came together to remember Venerable Bishop Anastasius Hartmann, Patna’s first Vicar Apostolic known for his signal contribution to Church administration in northern India, Bombay and Pune, on his 150th death anniversary.
The two-part anniversary celebrations were held on April 23 and 24 at St. Michael’s High School premises, Kurji, and at Padri ki Haveli Cathedral in Patna City, the ancient city of Bihar state.
Some 5,000 people attended the April 23 liturgical celebration presided over by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, and cultural program at the premises of St. Michael’s School, founded by Bishop Hartmann.
Besides Cardinal Toppo, ten archbishops and bishops from Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh attended the celebrations. Member of Legislative Assembly of Jharkhand Glenn Golstein, Bihar Minority Commission Vice-President Ambrose Patrick, provincial superiors, principals, directors of institutions and others were also present on the occasion.
Cardinal Toppo in his talk focused on Hartmann’s humanitarian works such as opening orphanages, schools and hostels for the poor.
Jesuit Archbishop William D’Souza of Patna led the liturgical celebration on April 24 at the Cathedral Church at Padre ki Haveli, the headquarters of Bishop Hartmann.
“Bishop Hartmann was a zealous shepherd of the people and had a great vision for the Church in north India. He founded many educational institutions, hostels, orphanages, churches and convents in Patna Vicariate which included Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, the whole of central and North Bihar and half of Uttar Pradesh State, in those days,” Archbishop D’Souza recalled in his homily.
The Patna archbishop blessed and unveiled a bust of Venerable Hartmann at Hartmann Girls High School, Patna. Another bust was installed in the premises of the Cathedral Church at Padre ki Haveli.
Students from various schools presented dances, speeches and skits at the cultural program. A creative skit titled ‘Wheel of time’ presented by the students of St. Joseph’s School, Nawada, highlighted Hartmann as a beacon of light to society.
Jesuit Father Saju George, director of Jesuit-managed art institute, Kala-hridaya, Kolkata, presented a dance drama on the life of Bishop Hartmann. He was assisted by a dance troupe comprising eight persons besides musicians and singers. The Jesuit enlivened the life of Hartmann to the audience through this captivating musical narrative.
The program on April 23 was coordinated by Jesuit Father Johnson Kelakath and his assistants of Kurji Church, founded by Bishop Hartmann in 1856. The finale on April 24, held at Padri ki Haveli Church, was organized by Capuchin Father Wilson Andrade. Bishop Hartmann belonged to the Capuchin Order which began the Catholic Mission in eastern India in 1703, headquartered at Patna City.
Several biographies and historical references on Bishop Hartmann highlight his heroic leadership. Besides administering Patna Vicariate from 1846-1849 and 1860-1866, he became Vicar Apostolic of Bombay and administrator of Pune Vicariate from 1849-1856.
Church historians say Bishop Hartmann was head and shoulders above the prelates of his time. Besides administering a vicariate whose region included half of northern India, he mediated with the then British colonial government to enact the Christian Marriage Act, made attempts to establish Church’s presence in Nepal, invited religious societies such as Jesuits from Germany to work in Bombay, Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus also from Germany to work at Patna.
The schools, churches and other institutions aside, the great missionary is also known for his Christian literature. He translated the New Testament into Hindustani (pre-modern Hindi), the popular language of northern India, composed a prayer book and a catechism also in Hindustani, all printed in Roman script. While in Bombay, he founded the Catholic Examiner which is the second oldest Christian newspaper in India.
As a true shepherd he travelled far and wide in his vicariate in trying circumstances, suffering the rigors of extreme weather, having poor transportation facilities (he travelled on a bullock cart) all the while suffering from poor health. He had to face much hostility from Padroado, the Portuguese colonial government controlled Church administration, while serving in Bombay.
Several programs preceded the final celebration at Patna.