the blind and to prevent them from begging and wandering, Fr. Antony started the “Lucia Service centre for the blind” on 15th August 1978 under the patronage of Bishop M. Ambrose of Tuticorin. This centre was meant for the rehabilitation and training of blind persons, which would promote self-reliance and help them lead a dignified life. The inmates numbering about 30 were trained in handicrafts and Braille. Fr. Antony had wholeheartedly accepted his blindness and considered it a sign from Christ his leader to serve the blind and physically challenged persons. He often said, “It is my love for Christ, the light of the world, and for the blind that leads me on.” He became more active and vigorous than before and his compassion for the visually and physically challenged persons was extremely inspiring. Fr. Antony was a ‘blind’ priest with a ‘vision’. Fr. Antony addressed a group of Bishops in Kerela in May 1982. He spoke to them about the newly formed Federation and his work for the blind. He inspired them all and many of them invited him to their Diocese to begin service centres for the blind. Fr. Antony started the Jericho Centre for the Blind and Handicapped in 1984. After his untimely demise after a cardiac arrest in Madurai on January 19, 2000 at the age of 67, his brother, Fr. Jesuraj Anbarasan took over the duties of rendering the responsibilities of the Centre. His mortal body remains in a grave at the Jericho Training Centre, Nagamangalam. |