I have fought the good fight, I finished the race, and I have kept the faith. [2Tim 4:7] 

On the early morning of Sunday, 10 December, Fr. David Raju Matta was killed in a tragic auto accident.  Fr. David was a young and dynamic missionary of the Indian Vicariate.  He is from the village of Vempadu in the state of Andhra Pradesh, in the southern part of India. He was born on 23 September 1979 and joined the Congregation in June 1997.  He was definitively incorporated into the Congregation on 30 March 2005 and was ordained on 18 May 2008. 

Fr. David had a charismatic presence and in his pastoral ministry as a Missionary of the Precious Blood he would win over hearts by his gentle and passionate approach in every situation. For the past ten years he was engaged in the education apostolate, and at the time of his death he was the principal of the St. Gaspar Vidayalaya. He was very effective in the development of the school, and it has become a vibrant ministry of the Vicariate. His sudden death is a great loss for the Congregation here in India. 

We pray that the Lord may grant him eternal rest in his heavenly home.

Story and photo provided by the Indian Vicariate Secretary, Fr. Mariadass.