Mangalore : Fr Joe Tauro takes Charge of the Infant Jesus Shrine

By Steve Pereira OCD
Bellevision Media Network

M’lore, 6 Jun 2014 : It was a historic day at St. Joseph’s Monastery, Carmel Hill - Mangalore as Rev. Fr. Joe Tauro took charge as the Rector of the Theologate on Thurssday 5th June 2014. Community gathered in the Chapel to pray the Office during which Fr. Pius James D’Souza read the Word of God from St. Paul’s Epistle and thanked God for the blessings showered in the last Triennium. Later he handed over the Community Chapter book and the key of the Tabernacle to Rev. Fr. Joe Tauro, the New Rector. In his address to the Community Fr. Joe, thanked the previous Rector and the members for the leadership and guidance given to the Community. “I have no ambitions whatsoever. Let us collectively live up to our vocation and radiate that joy to the local community.” He invited every member of the community to be active builder of the ‘College of Christ’ after the example of St. Teresa of Avila, our Mother. As the ceremony came to an end we joined our voices in singing the praises of Mother of Carmel – the Salve Regina.

 

Later in the refectory, Fr. Pius J. D’Souza read the patent of the New Rector and wished all success in the new responsibility. Fr. Gregory read the patents of the other community members and compeered the program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bio Data:

Rev. Fr. Joe Tauro, OCD was born in Bendore on 20th November, 1953, a Carmelite religious since 19th March, 1971, a Catholic priest since 23rdDecember, 1978.

 

Fr. Joe has specialized in Bible at the Biblicum in Rome. He wrote a research paper under Fr. Albert Vanhoye S.J. on Priesthood of Jesus in the letter to Hebrews: The ‘Merciful’ High priest; and since he has been involved in ministry and teaching of the Word of God. He has taught biblical exegesis in so many seminaries and continues teaching in some seminaries and institutes of formation; especially the Gospel of John and the Prophets and Wisdom literature. He has studied with qualification many ancient biblical languages such as Hebrew Greek, Latin, Aramaic, Arabic, Sanskrit and can easily use many modern languages both Indian and western, to a total of 20.

 

Fr. Joe has been in the formation work at higher stages throughout his life as a priest in various capacities for the last 35 years both of men and women religious. He was involved in making of the first charter of priestly formation in India under the leadership of Bishop Peter Fernando. He was Rector of our Carmelite major seminaries in India (Mysore and Mangalore) from 1985-93. Then he was made Rector and professor of Sacred Scripture at the International Carmelite theology seminary in Rome from 1993-99 Teresianum Annexe.

 

From 1999 - 2005 he was the Provincial Superior of the Carmelite western (Karnataka - Goa) province in India for two terms. Fr. Joe was the Director of Dhyanavana the Carmelite Institute of Formation for young women religious in Mysore, where each year some 100 religious and priests come for long term (diploma) and short term (Certificate) programmes in spiritual renewal. He was also involved in guiding retreats to various sectors of Christian community especially to priest and religious.

 

Writing/ editing books and articles on spiritual matters keeps Fr. Joe occupied. He has rewritten the constitutions of 6 congregations, and partially helped many others in this work. Besides, he is interested and involved in spiritual counseling and helping ministry; inter-faith dialogue themes and human development schemes.