An Appreciation:CANDLES WERE LIT around the world on September 14th on the passing of Revd Fr Tarcy Mathias, OFM Cap. His last mission awakened a community at the Blessed Virgin's last home known as Meryem Ana Evi, Ephesus, Turkey. It is believed that Our Lady's Assumption, the Byzantine "Dormition", took place here. This Sanctuary of universal devotion to the Blessed Mother is tenderly cared for by the Dernek association and Capuchin Friars. It is located on Nightingale Mountain top, above ancient Ephesus, once capital of the Roman province of Asia and near today's town of Selçuk.
“Some spiritual beings are asked to become human for a while,” Fr Tarcy said. It reflected himself. Thousands stream through the sacred walls of Meryem Ana daily, greeted by his gentle presence, pastoral care and miraculously effective prayers of spiritual intervention – Turks especially thank him for prayers to conceive and start their families.
The third Council of Ephesus held in the first church ever dedicated to the Blessed Virgin within the walls of Ephesus in AD 431, five kilometres down hill, formalised the doctrine of Theotokos, in which Mary’s divine maternity was confirmed. It was a joy for him to see couples return gratefully with newly born infants.
He was born on May 14th, 1931 in Mangalore, India and educated by the Jesuits, joining the Capuchins at Bangalore novitiate. Secretary to a bishop, 30 years of ministry in Bhopal area of major gas tragedy; at the age of 67, Fr Tarcy arrived at Ephesus in early June 1998 via the Capuchin province of Bologna where he had learnt Italian. His Indian spiritual heritage and his apostolic warmth and gift for friendship bound us together.
As rector and priest, Fr Tarcy joyfully prepared and celebrated the sacraments, gently proclaimed and lived the word of God, enhancing our inner being as saints John the Evangelist, Paul, Timothy, Luke, and Polycarp before him. Donald Carroll wrote in Mary’s House that, “It was from here that the Apostles effectively launched Christianity”;
St John there writing his Gospel and St Paul his letters to the Corinthians.
Tourists, pilgrims, local staff – all knew that Fr Tarcy was Christ-like on earth. President Bill Clinton, Prince Charles and many other dignitaries requested his presence while visiting Ephesus. He concelebrated Mass and lunched with Pope Benedict in 2006.
At 6am each day, Fr Tarcy unchained the lock, turned on the light and lit a candle in the sanctuary, having already tuned into what was happening in world news. For 7am daily Mass, Sr Antonia and her companion knew that his favourite vestment was the handcrafted ornate needlework one depicting the Theotokos. He lived his faith through Mary’s eyes, giving thanks and commemorating the saint of the day. You would want to be at the altar with him. Each Sunday morning he waited joyfully especially for Liam O’Sullivan and the Kusadasi contingent who travelled by Kemal’s taxi for 10.30am outdoor Mass. His all-year-round “Little Flock” of Christians.
To be in his presence, listening to the word of God and his inspirational homilies awakened the sense of the divine and joy in us. He welcomed and introduced, knowing us before he spoke to us. He loved his pastoral visits to mixed-culture young families down the Aegean coast via Kusadasi, Aydin, Didim, Altinkum down to Bodrum and Gumbet on the Mediterranean, where he used to travel by bus. He would tell of Maria’s apple pie on his return.
Fr Tarcy had a special spot for us Irish.
He died in Reggio Emilia, Italy and was interred at Cimitero Monumentale. He was predeceased by his sister Sr Rosaly and brother Fr Oswald. Rev Fr Terence Harrington OFM Cap will celebrate Mass in Fr Tarcy’s memory on October 12th at 7.30pm at St Mary of the Angels, Capuchin Friary, Church Street, Dublin 7. All are welcome.
– ML