Father Martin Cushnan C.Ss.R.
On 29th April 1934, Martin was born to Vincent and Jane Cushnan in Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland. He was the second youngest of 4 girls and 2 boys. Having completed his secondary education in St. Malachy’s College, Belfast, he decided to join the Redemptorists. On Ash Wednesday 1955 4 priests and 6 students left Ireland to join the Redemptorist Mission in India. Brother Martin Cushnan was one of the students. In 1958 he was ordained in Bangalore, a long way from home and family. The joy of ordination and the absence of family was a mixed experience that he integrated with his usual good humour, faith and fortitude.
After his Ordination, Fr. Martin was sent to different places – Goa, Hyderabad, Kotagiri, Bangalore and Tenali. Where he was sent, he went as a true missionary imbued with the spirit of St. Alphonsus. Within the walls of the province, Fr. Martin wore many hats –assistant Province Bursar for the Province, assistant Vocations Director, taught English in our College, was parish priest and superior of the community.
He spent most of his missionary life In Tenali in Andhra Predesh. He will be remembered with love and gratitude especially for his presence and ministry during the last 20 years of his life in Tenali. He was more at home preaching in the villages than at the parish centre. However, it was at the centre that he did the work he loved – helping poor people with practical assistance in their day-to-day health and educational needs. With the help he received from family, friends and others, he could engage qualified medical staff to offer aid to the poor when major surgery was beyond their means. From his modest clinic he dispensed necessities for minor ailments to men, women and children. He saw the intellectual and spiritual hunger in the children and youth and addressed it by championing their education. People responded to him with great affection and saw him as a friend, a confidant, he was a beacon and a constant source of warmth and welcome. He can rest assured of the gratitude and prayer of the countless people he helped.
Although Martin spent a lifetime in India, he never lost his love for his homeland. He was always very devoted to his family with whom he kept very close contact.
Surely the Lord is saying to him – Martin, Well done good and faithful servant!
May his gentle soul rest in peace.
