Thomas Stephens (Jesuit)

Thomas Stephens (c. 1549, Bushton, Wiltshire, England - 1619, Salcete, Goa, India) was a Jesuit priest missionary in Portuguese India, writer and linguist.

Early years and studies

The son of a merchant, Stephens studied in Oxford before becoming Catholic. he went to Rome where he entered the Society of Jesus in 1575. He did some philosophical studies at the Collegio Romano before departing for Lisbon, en route for Goa which he reached on the 24 October 1579, probably the first Englishman to set foot on Indian soil. After a few months of theological studies he was ordained priest in 1580. He learned to read and write in Konkani and Marathi.

In Goa

He was superior of Salcete (1590-1596) and in such capacity had to handle the aftermath of the death of the so-called martyrs of Cuncolim (1583). He travelled around Goa, was in Marmagao for some time, but Stephens otherwise spent all his life in Salcete, where he died in 1619.

Achievements

In English

Before the end of the century he was already known in England thanks ot a letter written to his father, and published in the 2d volume of Richard Hakluyt's "Principal Navigations" (in 1599) in which he gives a description of Portuguese India and its languages.

In Konkani

Stephens is remembered above all for his contribution to the Konkani language [ [http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/543/543%20madhavi%20sardesai.htm 543 Madhavi Sardesai, Mother tongue blues ] ] . His "Arte da Lingoa Canarim", written in Portuguese, was the first printed grammar of what is now called the Konkani language. It was published in 1622 and became the first ever printed Indian Language grammar [ http://www.digitalgoa.com/eg_disp.php?cid=13&typ=eg History of Konkani language- Uday Bhembre] .

He prepared also a catechism in the same language, as per the instruction of the council of Trent. The "Dovtrina Cristam Em Lingoa Brahmana Canarim" (translation: Christian Doctrine in the Canarese Brahman Language) incorporates also a collection of Christian prayers in Konkani.

The "Christian Puranas"

More than technical language books what earned him the title of "Father of Christian Literature in India" is his "Krista Purana", an epic poem on the life of Jesus Christ written in a mix of Marathi and Konkani. Adopting the literary form of the Hindu puranas it retells the entire story of mankind, from the creation days to the time of Jesus in lyrical verse form. The Christian Puranas - 11.000 stanzas of 4 verses - were very popular in the churches of the area where they were sung on special occasions up to the 1930s. Although no copy of the original edition is extant it is believed to have been written (and/or published in 1616?)

Recognition

The Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (Thomas Stephens Konkani Centre), run by the Society of Jesus, is an institute dedicated to the study and propagation of the Konkani Language; it was founded in 1989 and located in Goa. It was named after Father Thomas Stephens in gratitude to his contribution to the Konkani Language.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.india-seminar.com/2004/543/543%20madhavi%20sardesai.htm Madhvavi Sardesai- Mother tongue blues]
* [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14292a.htm New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia article on Fr. Thomas Stephens]