Rev. Fr Lawrence Castelino – Mangalorean Star
Rev. Fr. Lawrence Castelino was born on 8th April 1939 at Pangla 60 kms from Mangalore, a well-known town for Jasmine Flowers. He is the proud son of late Peter Castelino and Late Nathalia Castelino. Fr Castelino is youngest among two brothers late Casmir Castelino and late Xavier Castelino and only sister Carmine who is married to Robert D’souza.
Fr Castelino attended Mudarangadi church school and he finished his high school studies in St. Aloysius high school, Mangalore. At the age of 15 Fr Lawrence Castelino joined the seminary and pursued inter-mediate at St. Aloysius College Mangalore. In the year 1959 Fr. Castelino joined the novitiate at the St. Joseph’s Bangalore.
While in the society Fr Castelino did his licentiate on western and Indian physiology. Fr Castelino obtained his degree in philosophy which was equivalent to B.A. Fr Castelino pursued masters in History from Karnataka university Dharwad After obtaining his masters he went to study theology at the DENOBILI College Pune. Fr Castelino was ordained priest by the Cardinal Gracious in the year 1972 at the St. Xavier high school grounds in Bombay. Fr Castelino worked as an asst. parish priest for the St. Andrews parish Bandra and from there he was made the director of Dhayana Ashram in Bangalore.
In the year 1973 Fr Castelino joined St. Aloysius College Mangalore as a lecturer in history and also was the warden of the Loyola Hostel for 2 years. In 1976 he was made the vice principal of St. Aloysius College; simultaneously he was the warden of the scared heart hostel. In the year 1980 he was made the principal of st Aloysius evening college for 2 years, and then reverted back to Day College as vice principal. In the year 1991 Fr Castelino was made the principal of St. Aloysius evening college, for a second term as the college was in difficult position due to the bad management between students/staff/management. Fr Castelino brought the college back to order and there was absolutely no problem for discipline. In the year 1997 Fr Castelino retired from teaching service.
From 1999 to 2001 Fr Castelino was made the director superior of Fatima Retreat House, Jeppu Mangalore; he organized retreats, 24 hours adoration, conducted seminars for youth and lay people.
In the year 2001 Fr Castelino was sent to The United States Of America for higher studies and sabbatical programs for one year. On his return on request of the Bishop of Bellary he was asked to take charge as the administrator of St. Joseph College, Fort Bellary. Since then Fr. Castelino has been involved in getting life back to St Joseph College Bellary as it was in a bad shape, he stabilized the staff and students, introduced co-education, and also introduced new courses in Electronics and Computer Science.
Bellary being a backward area with the temperature shooting up to 47 degrees, and weather stated as hot hotter and hottest. Fr Castelino has been living a very simple basic life. He is also the spiritual director for 7 convents in Bellary.
While in service Fr Castelino was well known for discipline among students at the college and hostel. He started his classes with moral science and advices to his dear students. His students include IAS, IPS, IFS and many more great personalities. When St. Aloysius College hosted the musical evening for the people of Mangalore city in the early eighties, Fr Castelino was involved in organizing funds and other needs involved. He was also involved in organizing the centenary year celebrations where then the Bollywood actress Nutan was invited as one of the guests.
Fr Castelino was Diocese director of C.L.C for 10 years and also the Director of Charismatic prayer groups. He was an excellent basket ball player and played for the college staff team against the students.
When Fr. Castelino was asked about the present day life and how was it 50 years back, he renewed his memories of childhood saying that he used to walk 8 Kms everyday to reach his school and the same distance back, before doing all house and field work, studies was done on the way to school. Today students want motorbike or car to go to school. Children want new clothes to go to college; he recalls how he had to manage with 2 shirts and 2 half pants for a whole academic year!
Father Castelino recalls his happiest moment in his life was his first mass in Bombay during his ordination, but was also sad as his parents could not attend it due to financial problem.
Fr Castelino’s Message to the mangaloreans:
Mangalorean community is a peace loving community which is flourishing everywhere they have migrated; they have a good name and reputation, they proudly say that we are mangalorean. So, don’t forget your culture and your roots else you will not be called a mangalorean.
Wishing you a merry Christmas may the born lord shower his blessings on earth and also wishing you a happy new year 2004.
Fr. Castelino wants to set up a good educational institute for poor and he is also serving the poor at Bellary. If any one would like to extend their financial help to Fr. Castelino in his mission, they can send their contribution to the following address:
Principal
Account no 189/c
Indian Bank, Cantonment Extn.
St. Joseph’s College
Fort Bellary
Karnataka-583102
Bellary
India
Phone: +91-839-2268073
Email: frlarry1939@hotmail.com
Mangalorean.Com wishing Rev. Fr. Lawrence Castelino the very best in his mission.
Submitted By: Anil Alva, Dubai.