“Captain Michael Gomez, was an exemplary Catholic, whose love of God and love of neighbour were self-evident, in his generous help to the church, priests, nuns, schools and to the under-privileged at Dhanushkodi, Kilakarai and Ramnad”. This is the gist of the tribute paid to Captain Michael Gomez, by Brother Gaspar, in his various books on Fr. Leveil, in Tamil.

Michael Gomez son of Martin Gomez and Savariammal Lobo was born in Kilakarai on August 18th 1894. He had four sisters and one brother. His father, Martin Gomez, was a tyndal in a cargo vessel sailing from Kilakarai to Colombo, or Nagapatinam, or Tuticorin or the west coast of India.

Michael Gomez had his early schooling at Kilakarai and then went to St. Mary’s High School, Madurai and St. Joseph’s College, Trichy for his intermediate course. The Ramnad Sethupathy Raja was his contemporary at St. Joseph’s College, where they became friends.

After his studies, Michael Gomez worked for a short time as a Curator at the Colombo Museum. Then he decided to go into the Merchant Navy and qualified himself by passing all the Merchant Navy exams and by putting in the necessary sea service at each stage. Finally he secured the Home Trade Master’s certificate from Bombay which qualified him to be the captain of a Merchant Navy ship, passenger as well as cargo. He became Captain of the ship TSS Goschen plying between Dhanushkodi in India and Thalai Mannar in Ceylon.

The Southern railway ran the ferry service between Dhanushkodi and Thalai Mannar with a connecting train from Madras to Dhanushkodi, which was called the Boat Mail. There was also a connecting train from Thalai Mannar to Colombo. In recognition of his meritorious service Captain Michael Gomez received a Certificate of Merit from the South Indian Railways.

His tall, dignified appearance, cheerful smile, and cordial interpersonal relationships with everyone, won him the good will of others. The Bishops, priests, nuns, high Government officials and businessmen who sailed between India and Ceylon enjoyed the hospitality of the Captain and were impressed by his goodness. The Customs officials at both shores had a great regard for him. The children of the Raja of Ramnad, Shanmugaraja Rajeswara Sethupathi, studied in Kandy and sailed by the ship TSS Goshen, where the Captain took good care of them.

Captain Michael Gomez was a patron and benefactor of Fr. Louis Leveil, S.J., of saintly memory and Fr. Boddele. He used his good will with the Ramnad Sethupathi Raja to get favours for Fr. Leveil. It was thanks to his benevolent intervention that the Raja Dhinakar school building and the land for the Masabielle Convent were given by the royal family to the Catholic Church, during Fr. Leveil’s stewardship of the parish.

Captain Michael Gomez was a Philanthropist who contributed generously for the growth of the local church, school and convent. He supported many families, especially in educating the children. “Bear one another’s burdens”(Galatians 6:2), was his motto in helping others. Realizing that the best way to empower the Christian community is through education, he gave unstinting support to the two Catholic schools in Ramnad, administered by the Sacred Heart Brothers and the Blue Sisters (called thus because of their blue habit) of the Immaculate Conception, under the guidance of Fr. Louis Leveil.

Captain Michael Gomez was devoted to the Eucharist and the Rosary. When he returned from the ship daily at 11.30 a.m. after the voyage from ThalaiMannar, he would go straight to the Church at Dhanushkodi, reciting the Rosary on the way. Only after a visit to the Blessed Sacrament, he would go home for lunch. He was a strong support to the Ramnad parish priest and helped to solve problems in the school and at the parish level. Once when there were two warring factions in Kilakarai and one of them wanted to prevent Fr. Arnold SJ from entering the church, to celebrate Holy Mass, Captain provided protection to him and himself served as the Altar ‘boy’. His service to the Catholic Church, the Catholic schools at Ramnad and the economically weaker sections of the Christian community was recognized by the Bishop and priests who recommended his name for a Papal Honour. His service to the Catholic Church and community was appreciated by Vatican and Pope Pius XII awarded him the Bene Merenti medal in 1950.

The Papal Honour of the Bene Merenti Medal was conferred on Captain Michael Gomez in December 1951 in Dhanushkodi, in an impressive ceremony. The New Leader, the leading Catholic journal, dated 13/1/1952, reported this event, on page 6, as follows:
“Captain Michael Gomez of TSS Goschen, Dhanushkodi, was presented with the Papal Medal ‘Bene Merenti’ at 6 p.m. on Sunday, 23rd December 1951, by Rev. Fr. Adaikalam SJ, superior of Sarugani, Ramnad District, in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering.

The Church of the Infant Jesus, of Dhanushkodi put on a festive appearance for the occasion. The function began with the garlanding of the recipient of the Papal honour and also of Rev. Fathers Adaikalam, Boddele, Leveil and Joachien.
Rev. Father Adaikalam, who deputized for His Lordship, the Bishop of Madurai, described in a short but eloquent speech the meaning and significance of the Papal Honour conferred on Captain Michael Gomez.”

In passing, it must be mentioned that many illustrious Merchant Navy Captains have hailed from Kilakarai, like Captain Joachim Gomez and Captain Xavier Gomez, who were the cousins and contemporaries of Captain Michael Gomez. His son Captain Maurice Gomez, his sons-in-law, Captain Edward Poobalarayan, Captain Joseph Fernandez, his nephews Captain Jebamalai Gomez, Captain Bernard Gomez, Captain Peter Gomez, his grandsons Captain Xavier Jayakumar Poobalarayan, Captain Gabriel Poobalarayan, and his grand nephew Captain Leveil Gomez are just some of them. This is by no means an exhaustive list! There have also been many Merchant Navy Officers and Engineers from Kilakarai. It looks as though seamanship runs in the blood of Kilakarai Paravas.

Captain Michael Gomez was a person of sterling character and a charming personality. He was a very hospitable person. Nuns, priests and dignitaries who travelled between Dhanushkodi and Thalai Mannar by ship, were the honoured guests at the Captain’s table on the upper deck opposite the Captain’s Cabin. Many of them recalled his genial humour and generosity in treating them to a rich banquet! He could come down to the level of children and entertain them too. A niece of his, who made this voyage around the age of four or five, recalls his equipping her with slices of bread to feed the fish, who came up in large numbers to gobble the bread thrown upon the water. It was a fascinating, unforgettable spectacle for her, deeply etched in her memory.

Captain Michael Gomez was very popular with the young people whom he met. His conversation was interesting and spiced with humour. He could regale them adventurous yarns from his nautical experience and the interesting personalities whom he had met in his life and career. Once when he attended the wedding of a younger cousin, in Madras, in 1946, the members of the bride’s family, who had met him for the first time were captivated by him. When he left two days after the wedding, the entire youth brigade, consisting of the bride’s brothers and many cousins gave the 52 year-old Captain a rousing send off, standing in a guard of honour, on either side of the gate and singing with gusto “For he’s a jolly good fellow”, to the accompaniment of musical instruments. Captain Michael Gomez rose to the occasion, clicked his heels, stood to attention and gave them a smart naval salute, before he marched out, bowed and got into the car!

Captain Michael Gomez had many friends belonging to the middle class and the poorer people among Hindus, Muslims and Christians. His daughters recall that during the week-ends when he was at home, the house would be full of his friends.
He was interested in reading and liked conversing with the Ramnad Palace librarian. The royal horse chariot used to take him to and fro from the palace. He frequently quoted Thayumanavar’s line, “Ellorum Inbutru iruppadhuve allaamal verondrum arigilen Parabarame!” This may be translated as “Oh Almighty, I desire nothing else except the happiness of everybody.” He was also interested in music and encouraged his children to sing hymns and Christmas Carols and enjoyed listening to them during holidays.

Captain Michael Gomez was an affectionate and responsible father and husband. After retirement, he settled in Ramnad with his family. In 1954, he was stricken with stomach cancer. He was treated at Vellore CMC Hospital, but succumbed to the disease since it was at the terminal stage. His last child, Laetitia was 5 years old at that time and was seriously ill with small pox. On his death bed he said, “Take me, Lord, and let my daughter live”. When he died on June 21st 1955, he left behind his wife, Mrs. Berchmans Gomez and 7 children, two sons and five daughters, of whom only two girls were married, at the time of their father’s death.

Mrs. Berchmans Gomez reminded one of the Valiant Woman mentioned in the last chapter of the Proverbs. Widowed at 41, she brought up the 5 dependent children, educated them, managed the household efficiently, administered the cultivable lands and the “Thoni” profitably, built a house, “Villa Fortis” for the family on the main street of Ramnad and settled all the children well. _“She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bead of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her Blessed”. (Proverbs 31:27-28.)_

Mrs. Michael Gomez was a lay leader in the Ramnad parish and led the Legion of Mary for decades. She continued her husband’s philanthropic service, as much as she could, until her death at the age of 80, on 17th August 1995, just a day before his 101st birthday.

_[This article is the joint effort of the family of Captain Michael Gomez – his sons, Captain M. Maurice Gomez, Dr. M. Patrick Gomez, his daughters, Therese Gomez(Mrs. Leenus Motha), Relin Gomez(Mrs. Joseph Fernandez), Sr. M. Laetitia Gomez and his niece-cum-daughter-in-law Christine(Mrs. Patrick Gomez). ]_

*A Note on the Bene Merenti Medal, based on Internet Information:*

The ‘BeneMerenti’ Medal is conferred on those who have exhibited long and exceptional service to the Catholic church and community. The word BeneMerenti, meaning ‘to a well deserving person’ is inscribed on the back of the medal. BeneMerenti medal may also mean ‘Good Merit Medal’. The ribbon is made of papal colours, white and golden yellow..

The BeneMerenti medal was first awarded by Pope Pius VI 1791 to recognize military merit. Pope Gregory XVI instituted two medals in 1832 to reward civil and military courage. From 1925, this medal was awarded as a mark of recognition to persons in service to the Church, both civil and military, lay and clergy alike. In 1949 Pope Pius XII awarded this medal to Maria Augusta von Trapp( Of ‘Sound of Music’ fame) as a recognition for the Trapp Family Austrian Relief Inc., an aid programme for depressed Austrians.

The Bene Merenti Medal issued by Pope Pius XII is described as follows on the Internet. “Circular gilt medal with two loops and papal arms suspension, being a papal triple tiara on crossed keys; the face with a dished circular central medallion bearing the head and shoulders portrait of Pope Pius XII facing left, the reverse with a dished circular central medallion inscribed ‘BENE MERENTI’ (well-deserving) within a circular laurel wreath.”