57th anniversary Of the Ordination Of late Reverend Father Gerald Crispin Leo

For a member of the Roman Catholic male clergy, the Ordination Ceremony that officially enrols him into his chosen vocation of priesthood is the glittering starting point of a journey in which he would be a chosen servant of God, entrusted with the task of being devoted to the religion of Catholicism while undertaking the mission of being dedicated to the service of mankind. The late Reverend Father Gerald Chrispin Leo was so ordained in Rome, Italy, by His Holiness Pope Paul VI, on a very cold 6th of January 1966.

In the life of a Catholic priest, the date of the Ordination Ceremony remains a most sacred event. From that day onwards, right up to the time he left this mortal world on the 12th of September 2022, Father Chrispin Leo has stood out as the epitome of an apostle of Christ and as a man who steadfastly and scrupulously honoured the sacred vow that he took at his ordination.

Rev. Fr. Chrispin Leo was the Chaplain/Spiritual Director of the Catholic Doctors’ Guild of Saint Luke and Saints Cosmas and Damian for 35 years. His contribution towards guiding the members of the guild is best described as splendid and legendary. He took that assignment as a pivotal voyage undertaken in the true spirit of bringing glory to the Almighty. He was responsible for the initial revival of the guild in the early seventies and then he led us for three and a half decades with charismatic dedication.

Reverend Father Chrispin Leo was profoundly respected and practically venerated by many while being most affectionately referred to by a whole lot of us in the guild as ‘Our Father’. Over many a decade, his pivotal contributions to the welfare of the Catholic Doctors’ Guild, as well as garnering general support for that organisation and the advocacy provided by him for its progression, were superb and priceless; c’est Magnifique, to say the least.

The Good Lord above has deemed it fit to summon this much-loved son of his, Reverend Father Gerald Chrispin Leo, to the eternal glory of a place in the kingdom of heaven. What else could we possibly envision for such a wonderful man whose sojourn on planet earth was just one of utmost devotion and undoubted commitment to the services he provided for the glory of the kingdom of God?

As for us, we do celebrate the life of this dazzling personality that was Reverend Father Chrispin Leo. He was indeed God’s humble messenger to all of us. The memories that we cherish are quite a legion, together with the images in our memory of a person who thoroughly enjoyed all social gatherings to the hilt. We do admire him for his simplicity and for being a renowned bridge-builder in all our activities. More than anything, he was a deeply admired friend to all of us, as a man who lived a full, beautiful and holy life and enjoyed his journey on planet earth with the fantastic grace of an angel.

We would most dearly miss his prudent, wise, sensible and gentle counsel. Yet for all that, we remain content in our firm belief, that our very dear Reverend Father Chrispin Leo has now received the bliss of eternal happiness. May this Prince of our holy faith rest in perpetual peace, very safe in the kingdom of heaven.

Farewell, our much-adored Reverend Father Chrispin Leo. We certainly would most sincerely, earnestly and eternally be craving for your illustrious company. That would be until we meet again in a different celestial world.

Dr B. J. C. Perera

Specialist Consultant Paediatrician