Mangaluru, Oct 3, 2023: Brother Baptist Rodrigues, affectionately known as ’Batti Brother,’ has returned to the bosom of the Lord at the age of 79. He breathed his last at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 3, 2023 at KMC Hospital, Mangaluru.
He hailed from St. Michael’s Parish in Bellore, which is part of the diocese of Mangalore. Born to John Rodrigues and Cocess Rodrigues, he was one of seven children, and two of his sisters answered the call to serve in the congregation of Apostolic Carmel (AC).
Br. Baptist was born on June 22, 1944, and in 1963, he joined the Carmelite Order in Alwaye, Kerala. He took his first profession on March 19, 1969, in Podanur, Tamil Nadu, and solemnized his commitment in 1974. Throughout his lifetime, he devoted himself to selfless and generous service, notably at institutions such as Pushpashrama in Mysuru, St. Joseph’s Monastery in Mangaluru, Asha Deepa in Madanthyar, and Carmel Ashram in Koteshwar.
The funeral of Br. Baptist is scheduled to be held on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. at the Infant Jesus Shrine, Carmel Hill, Mangaluru.