By Alfonso Elengikal
Fr Guiseppe Mauro Ferrero, a member of the Society of St Paul and popularly known by his pen name J Maurus, passed away in Rome on February 1. He was 93 and has to his credit over 125 books, many of which have been translated into various Indian and European languages. All his books have been published by Better Yourself Books, which he founded way back in 1962.
J Maurus was born on April 14, 1924, at Piedmont, North Italy. As a young boy, Maurus came in contact with Fr (now blessed) James Alberione, the Founder of the Society of St Paul and other Pauline Congregations like the Daughters of St Paul and the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master both of which have their communities in India. Before long, he joined Fr Alberione, deciding to become a Priest in the Society of St Paul.
Soon after his Ordination in 1950, Fr Alberione asked him to travel to India (in 1951) pursuing the media apostolate which he initiated in 1914. Reaching Bombay with another young Pauline Priest, Maurus was sent to Allahabad, the Mother House of the Congregation, where he picked up English and a working knowledge of Hindi to be able to communicate with the local people. He also showed keen interest in the Indian Vedic literature.
Maurus published his first book Just A Moment, Please in 1960, which became an instant bestseller. From then on, there was no turning back: books began to flow from his pen non-stop. Soon enough, Maurus brought his books under a new brand name – Better Yourself Books. Before long, numerous titles from different Indian and foreign authors found their way to the new publishing firm.
Maurus did not stop there: together with his close friend and confidant, Fr Aloysius Rego, in 1963 he founded the youth magazine –The Teenager, which today, published from Mumbai, holds the unique record of being the longest surviving youth magazine in India, reaching every month thousands of young people and educational institutions in the country. The monthly Inspirational Quote with a circulation of over 22,000 copies, is another brain child of Maurus.
Though Fr Maurus returned to native Italy in 1985, after 35 long years of service in India, he continued writing till recently, sending his manuscripts regularly to the editorial office of ST PAULS/BYB in Mumbai. He also kept up his love for India, particularly for the young people of the country. He visited India whenever there was an opportunity, and kept in touch with many of us who knew him very personally, sending us his “love notes.” Fr J. Maurus has touched the soul of India in more ways than one can easily fathom. May he rest in peace!
(The author is the director of Guwahati-based North East Social Communications)
