Lessons from the life of Fr Stan Swamy

We are all mortals and have to leave this world someday. Yet, there are a few among us who die like all mortals, but never fade away from our hearts and minds. They transcend time and space and live forever for a life well-lived. One such person who has now become immortal in our memory through his exceptional life is Fr. Stan Swamy.

Many are the valuable lessons that Fr. Swamy has left for us after his death on July 5, 2021. He has revealed to us that there is greatness in feeling with the downtrodden and in reaching out to them as he did for the Adivasis, for whose rights he fought with the Gandhian principle of nonviolence. There is greatness in choosing to be virtuous, as he did in his quest for justice. There is greatness in living modestly with minimal possessions, as he did in his ashram. There is greatness in serving others, as he did as a Jesuit Priest and an activist. There is greatness in working for the joy of work and not for its rewards, as he did labouring in his vocation. There is greatness in living fully, wholly, joyfully and with a humble attitude to serve, as he did all his life.

Fr. Swamy’s death was as touching as was his life of 84 years. In his death, he has proved that life begins only when one is ready to die and that life gets its meaning through what one considers is worthy to die for. He was not afraid of death, as long as he was working for a fair society and for the common good of humanity. Eventually, when he passed away, his death was not marked by retaliation, but by a gracious acceptance of the environment around him.

Fr. Swamy has shown us how to be a reformist without seeking fame, how to be loyal without lying, how to love humanity without any conditions and how to be resilient without bitterness. In short, he has shown us how to be great simply by being gracious and good-natured to the very end. Indeed Fr. Swamy will be ever alive for the finest lessons that have unfolded from his simple life.