Servant of God Theotonius Ganguly

- Congregation of Holy Cross 

Archbishop Theotonius Amal Ganguly was born in Hashnabad, which is in present-day Bangladesh, on Feb. 18, 1920, the feast day of his patron saint, St. Theotonius. His family added the Bengali name Amal, which means “spotless” or “innocent.”

After being educated by the Brothers of Holy Cross at Holy Cross High School in Bandura, Theotonius attended St. Albert’s Seminary in Ranchi, Bihard, India. He was ordained a diocesan priest in the Dhaka Archdiocese on June 6, 1946.

In 1947, Ganguly went to the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, in the United States to earn a master’s degree and doctorate. He graduated with his Doctorate in Philosophy in 1951, making him the first Bengali Christian to receive a doctorate. It was the first of several firsts Ganguly's life would mark for the Catholic community in Bangladesh.

While at Notre Dame, he came to know Holy Cross more closely and decided to enter the Congregation. He attended the Novitiate in Jordan, Minnesota, and professed First Vows on August 16, 1952.

Upon returning to homeland, Ganguly began teaching at Notre Dame College, a well-respected college run by the Congregation in Dhaka. He was made the school’s Dean of Studies in 1954 and Assistant Principal in 1958. In between, Ganguly made his Final Vows in 1955.

Upon the death of Rev. James I. Martin, C.S.C., on March 21, 1960, Ganguly was appointed Principal at Notre Dame College. He was the first Bengali appointed to that position. That appointment, however, did not last long as on September 3 of the same year, Pope John XXIII nominated Fr. Ganguly as Auxiliary Bishop to Archbishop Lawrence L. Graner in the Archdiocese of Dhaka. Ganguly was ordained a bishop on October 7, 1960, becoming the first Bengali bishop in history. He immediately began work as Archbishop Graner’s auxiliary.

Ganguly’s work as Auxiliary Bishop included serving as Pastor of a parish and working as Archdiocesan Treasurer. On July 6, 1965, he was appointed Graner’s co-adjutor, and when the archbishop retired November 23, 1967, Ganguly became the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Dhaka.

In his leadership at both Notre Dame College and in the Archdiocese, Ganguly was known for the way he respected the dignity of every person. He had  a truly religious spirit and a gentlemanly character. His gentle, yet strong persona helped him shepherd the Archdiocese through the trying time of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

A heart attack caused his suddent death on Sept. 2, 1977.

Archbishop Ganguly’s Cause for Sainthood was opened by the Archdiocese of Dhaka in September 2006, thereby declaring Ganguly a Servant of God. Archbishop Paulinus Costa of Dhaka serves as the Postulator of his cause and will oversee a reconstruction of Ganguly's life on the basis of eyewitnesses and documents to arrive at a judgment on his holiness.

Timeline

February 18, 1920 – Born in Hashnabad, which is in present-day Bangladesh, to Nicholas Komol and Romana Komola Ganguly
1937 – Enters the Minor Seminary at Bandura with the Archdiocese of Dhaka
1940 – Assigned to St. Albert’s Seminary at Ranchi
June 6, 1946 – Ordained a diocesan priest in St. Mary’ Cathedral, Ranchi
1947 – Goes to the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, to earn a master’s degree and doctorate in philosophy
1947 – Partition of British India
1951 – Graduates from Notre Dame with a Doctorate in Philosophy, the first Bengali Christian to earn a doctorate
August 1951 – Enters the Novitiate with the Congregation
August 16, 1952 – Makes his Profession of First Vows
Fall 1952 – Returns home and begins teaching English and logic at Notre Dame College in Dhaka
1954 – Appointed Dean of Studies at Notre Dame College
1955 – Makes his Profession of Final Vows in Dhaka
1958 – Appointed Assistant Principal at Notre Dame College
March 21, 1960 – Appointed Principal at Notre Dame College, the first Bengali to hold the position
September 3, 1960 – Appointed Auxiliary Bishop in the Archiocese of Dhaka by Pope John XXIII
October 7, 1960 – Ordained as Auxiliary Bishop, working for Archbishop Lawrence L. Graner
July 6, 1965 – Appointed Co-adjutor Archbishop of Dhaka
November 23, 1967 – Becomes Archbishop of Dhaka upon the retirement of Archbishop Graner
1971 – Begins six years of service as President of first the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference (1971-1973) and then the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Bangladesh (1973-1977)
March 26, 1971 – Bangladesh Liberation War breaks out, resulting in Bangladesh become a sovereign nation
September 2, 1977 – Died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 57
September 2006 – Cause for Sainthood opened and declared Servant of God

Prayers

Prayer for the Beatification of Ganguly

Gracious God,

we thank you for the gift of your servant,

Archbishop Theotonius Ganguly,

to the Church and to the people of Bangladesh.

By his goodness, gentleness, and kindness,

you guided your people thorugh times

of suffering, deprivation, and war.

We pray that you may glorify without delay 

him who consecrated to your glory and service

his life of labor and sacrifice.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for a Favor through Ganguly

Lord,

we ask that you bring many to know and imitate

the virtues of your servant, Bishop Theotonius Ganguly,

and to benefit by his devotion to you

and to the service of others.

We ask you through his intercession

to grant us the favor of …

(state your intention)

May his life inspire us to follow his example,

and may the recognition of his virtues

bring honor to the Church and glory to your name.

Amen.