This incident really happened. The person’s identity has been changed at his request as he desires not to make himself known. He does not wish to speak about himself and his achievements. In whatever form this material is used please note that I, Sr. Deepa, have assured the elderly doctor that we will not reveal his identity and will do our utmost to respect his request.
As Told to Sr. Deepa:
I, Jacob Providence, had no love for study. Life was so hard in the hostel and added to that we had just kanji (rice gruel) and tapioca. I was at Vazakulam, a small town of Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam district of Kerala. I studied there from Class 4-10. I passed Class 10 and frequented SV College, Changanasery for my Intermediate. I did my BA from St. Joseph, Thiruchirapally in Tamil Nadu.
In 1948, my father told me: “Jacob, you go to a medical college for your further studies.” He put into my hands Rs. 2500 and a cheque book, with its pages filled with his signature. He told me there were 32 medical colleges in India.” Kerala at that time had no medical colleges.
I Felt St. Alphonsa Grace Upon Me
It was two years since the death of Sr. Alphonsa in 1948, I made a visit to her place. As I was praying, I made a promise: If I do get an admission in a medical college, surely, I will offer the gold chain I had around my neck to the Lord.
Then one fine day as I travelling to Ramnathpuram by train I met Fr. Jacob, MSFS from Visakhapatnam. He told me that there was a medical college there. I then knew that it was because of St. Alphonsa that I met this Priest; spoke with him and got to know about the medical college more in detail.
A Miracle Indeed!
After some days, I went to Visakhapatnam. From the railway station, in a rikshaw, I reached the Bishop’s house. In no time, I got to know that Fr. Jacob stayed just 500 kilometers away from the Bishop’s house. Fr. Zachariah was kind enough to accompany me to meet Fr. Jacob.
Fr. Jacob said to get admission you need to have a certificate from a local institution or that I should be a local. We approached a very influential person in the locality. He said, “In two days’ time I will let you know”. After two days, he told me he had requested for a seat and that he was presenting me as his adopted son! I was admitted as a student!
Quickly, I removed the gold chain from my neck tied it in a piece of cloth and grabbed the first opportunity to go to Sr. Alphonsa’s place and put it in the offering box.
In the excitement, I got about six sets of suits and other things stitched. The ordeal was really at my doorstep!
As I went to the college, I met the vice principal, my identity was questioned and finally I was told, “You are a Malayalee…!”
In the college, I realized where I stood with regards to my studies. Soon I became aware that my marks reaching up to 35, 45 etc. were too little to cope up as far as studies were concerned in a medical college.
On 10th June 1948, I began my studies at Vishakhapatnam Medical College. In the College, some kind and very good staff offered the best to the students. I was staying as a paying guest in a European style set up.
June 18th was a special day for me. On that beautiful day, I decided to study well. In the December exam, I passed in all subjects. In April, I secured 5th rank, then 4th rank, 3rd rank, 2nd rank and in the finals – First rank in the University for Surgery and Gynecology.
One of my professors told me to go to teach in a medical college. I though about it for a day and then said no to teaching but was eager to learn surgery. I took 25 years’ of question papers and began solving them. CMC Vellore had its name for surgery and the professor suggested that I go and work there and gain experience in surgery. From there on, I went to other prestigious hospitals to gain experience and acquire competency.
The Miracle of Providence
The 10 years of medical studies formed me in such a way that I began witnessing the providence of God accompanying me in marvelous ways. The trust that my father has placed in me and the love of my mother and my only brother and two sisters spurred me on life’s journey.
In 1958, I came to a beautiful place and began my practice. At the initial stages, it was really tough, I had to work day and night I worked there for 10 months. In 1959, I happily took charge of St. Maria Hospital. A lot of work had to be put in to get the hospital ready. In 1999, we started St. Maria Hospital. Today, each department is taken care of by a Sister. The Sisters are very hard working.
In 1968, my beloved Dad passed away. After his death, for 21 years, I took care of my loving mom. She died in 1990. For all that has been and yet to come praise be to you Lord Jesus!
Sathya was my right hand
To Sr. Sneha’s question what was his wife Sathya’s contribution? Dr. Jacob said: She was my right hand. His eyes were filled with tears as he spoke of her. Sr. Deepa who was fortunate to be present at the funeral mass of Sathya recalled how well the priest celebrant spoke about her and how she was the one who made sure that everything was in place and above all he spoke about the love that existed among them.
To another question from Sr. Deepa on how he felt seeing his doctor sons in action? Dr. Jacob Providence humbly said, “they knew my desire was to see them as doctors”.
Treat the rich and the poor in the same way
My dad passed on to me a professional secret: Treat the same way — the rich and the poor. There is an excellent medical practice to be followed; our prime desire is to heal patients. I tell my sons: take care of everyone, give the same treatment for all, our prime motive is to heal the sick.
Today, St. Maria’s is a full-pledged hospital with all the facilities available. With great joy, Dr. Jacob mentioned: There are regular knee replacements too. As a piece of advice for young people, Dr. Jacob affirms: “Our prime motive is to take care of the patients. Money will come as much as we need without our knowledge. “
For the nurses, Dr. Jacob has a golden piece of advice: “If your mother, dad, brother, sister, husband or anyone who is a close relation of yours come how will you treat them, treat every patient in that very same way. Finally, keep in mind don’t do anything going against medical ethics.”
From that order of his beloved Father to today when Dr. Jacob sees all that the Lord has helped him to accomplish all what he says is: Praise to You Lord Jesus!
Dear Dr. Jacob,
Our father always speaks with genuine love and deep esteem for you. This small interview with you helped us to get to know you better. Rightly our love and gratitude for you is always in the increase and we are sure that your life will motivate many youngsters to take the road less travelled…
With love, esteem and gratitude!
Jesus Christ is the best Healer.
God works in strange ways to train an ordinary person to become a service oriented medical doctor.
A patient /patient attendant is healed more by the way the doctor TREATS than by medicine.
They look keenly how human you are with divine quality.