Ivo Coelho sdb
NASHIK, NOVEMBER 19, 2009: "Set aside Fr. Nelson for Marathi literature and dialogue" -this was the challenge that the famous Marathi writer and poet, Fr. Francis D' Britto, extended to the Salesian Society on Saturday, November 14, 2009, during the book release function of Fr. Nelson Falcao's edition and translation of the Khristapurana at Parshuram Natyagruha, Nashik.
Heaping fulsome praise on the massive and painstaking achievement of Fr. Nelson, Fr D'Britto called for a translation not only into English, but also into French, German and all the major languages of the world.
Sr. Zoe Williams, RMI, was also called to the stage representing Fr. Thomas Stephens' country of origin. Sr. Zoe is of course well-known to anyone who has passed through Divyadaan; she was introduced, however, as having come especially from England to grace the occasion.
The spoken word passes, but the written word reaches out into the future - the pen reaches out beyond the grave. And so the words and work of Fr. Stephens reached out that Saturday evening to the people of Nashik, and will continue reaching out in a variety of ways, thanks to the work of Fr. Nelson.