By Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ
A few weeks ago, Jesuit Fr. Hedwig Lewis released his latest book ‘Being Extraordinarily Ordinary’ (30 Strategies for Wholesome Living)! This extraordinary book is compact and concise, direct with no frills attached! It makes for compelling reading, challenging one to live a more meaningful life, in practical do-able ways, to be a person that makes a difference by doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way! The flyer on the book states, “This book is all about ‘being extraordinary’ in every significant aspect of life, with the aid of ‘ordinary’ – down-to-earth – strategies, mind-tools and hands-on techniques. The 30 themes in this manual are so presented as to engage the reader in ‘out-of-the-box thinking’, and challenging them to pursue higher values than they routinely would. An excellent resource for youth animators and as ‘prizes’ for students. A motivational guide for the young and young-at-heart!” The book has been published by ‘Better Yourself Books’, St Paul Press, India. In more ways than one, the book is the sum and substance of the life which Fr Hedwig has lived and as he completes on 10 October, the eightieth year of his pilgrimage on earth! He is, in essence, a Very Extraordinary Person(VEP)!
Fr. Hedwig is a priest, Jesuit, educationist, writer, counsellor and much more, all rolled in one. He is indeed a VEP who has contributed to and impacted profoundly on the lives of many all over, through his life of witness, his incisive writings and of his uncanny ability to keep abreast with the times. All this must seem to be perfectly normal for most humans – but the difference where Fr Hedwig is concerned, that he has been doing all this and achieving a tremendous amount, inspite of suffering from a severe physical handicap. VEP strength!
In 1990, he was appointed the Principal of the prestigious St. Xavier’s College in Ahmedabad. In no time, with Fr Hedwig at the helm of affairs, the college had reached new heights in every possible field. Fr Hedwig had many more years left as Principal. But God had other plans for him: during a Community Eucharistic Celebration on 4 October 1995(the Feast of St Francis of Assisi), he began to have some uncontrollable spasms of his upper body (Fr. Hedwig recollects that it was a week before his fiftieth birthday). After plenty of check-ups and diagnosis and visits to some of the best physicians and surgeons, it was found that he was affected by Meige syndrome. This is a rare involuntary movement condition that affects the brain and nerves (neurological condition). It causes muscle spasms that one is unable to control. It may make one’s jaw twitch or force one to close one’s eyes. These muscle spasms can be painful. Meige syndrome is said to persist throughout life in most patients, gradually worsening over many years. Fr. Hedwig’s, entire upper body is affected, making it really tough for him! His ability to deal with this infirmity makes him a VEP!
But Fr. Hedwig has taken this physical disability in his stride! For more than thirty years now, despite several odds he has continued relentlessly giving of his best to others, radiating positivity and hope to many whose lives he touches! In his book ‘Being Extraordinarily Ordinary’, mentioned above, Chapter 9 is entitled ‘Embrace Your Vulnerability’. in which he writes, “vulnerability is a gift…. embrace vulnerability and live life to the fullest.” Strangely and significantly enough, Fr Hedwig seems to be conveying (without actually saying so) that one motto that has guided him all these years, despite his vulnerabilities, he has lived life to the fullest and has others to do so to! That’s what makes Fr. Hedwig a VEP!
What then, are the other qualities which make Fr Hedwig a VEP? Among the many outstanding qualities which he embodies, are the following:
Humility: the ability to ask and to be cheerfully dependent on others
Exemplary: it has not been easy going but he has reached out to many all over
Determination: to transcend his physical disability and make himself useful
Wise: as reflected in his many books where he writes “words of wisdom”
Inclusive: he has a whole range of friends and admirers, from every walk of life
Generous: as he lives the Ignatian axiom ‘to give and not to count the cost’!
The above qualities are an acronym of his name HEDWIG- though they certainly do not encapsulate all the extraordinary qualities he radiates. Interestingly, the name ‘Hedwig’ is of Germanic origin meaning ‘battle strife’ or ‘contending in battle’; historically, the name conveyed strength and warrior-like qualities. Such an apt name for a person like St. Ignatius of Loyola, who has been a ‘fighter’ all his life! The stuff of a VEP!
Being Extraordinarily Ordinary is Fr. Hedwig’s 46th book! Some record indeed! In the Catholic Church in India, he is perhaps a priest who has authored the greatest number of books. He writes on a wide-range of subjects like spirituality, prayer, skill-building, biographies, inspirational, history, festivals. Among his notable works are Fun with Words (1983), How to Study (1984), Home with God (1991), Happiness Manufacturers (2001), Mirrors of Life (1998), Once Upon a Time (2010), Body Language which is an international bestseller with over 20,000 copies sold. Some of his books have been translated into different Indian languages and also into Spanish and Lithuanian. Only a VEP can do this!
When Fr. Hedwig was asked recently, “what has kept you going all these years?” With his typical smile, pat came the reply. “I draw inspiration from the ‘Smiling Christ on the Cross’, a sculpture of unknown origin hanging in the Xavier Castle, Spain. My motto: ‘Abundant Living, Joyful Giving’ (John 10.10). My writing apostolate: my books are my pulpits, my articles – messengers of the Good News”. He goes on to add, “After my Diamond Jubilee (June 2024) in response to well-wishers, I remarked: “My Jesuit life has two equal halves. The first I invested as ‘a contemplative in action’; the second I spend as ‘a contemplative in reaction’.” A terrific response from a VEP!
Fr. Hedwig, who belongs to the Society of Jesus (Gujarat Province) is based in Ahmedabad. He has been a Jesuit for more than sixty-one years now; he was ordained in April 1977, which makes it more than forty-eight years of priesthood. So as he completes eighty years of life on earth one must truly celebrate this VEP who believes in the joy of giving (do visit his website http://joygift.tripod.com )
(The author, Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist- writer He can be reached at cedricprakash@gmail.com ).
Also Read: Rebel And Face Regime Fury Or Become A BJP Puppet To Evade Action https://www.vibesofindia.com/rebel-and-face-regime-fury-or-become-a-bjp-puppet-to-evade-action/
