Vepul and Ofelia Kaisar during a private audience with Pope Francis on November 8, 2019.
LONDON
It is rare for lay people to get a private audience with the pope, but a couple’s social work across many dioceses in India earned the appreciation from a cardinal and three bishops and at their recommendation, late Pope Francis spent time with the couple and blessed them on their 31st wedding anniversary.
Kolkata-based Vepul and Ofelia Kaisar have dedicated much time and energy to help the Catholic Church in India and have helped a number of bishops, hundreds of priests and nuns in various circumstances.
MEETING POPE FRANCIS
A meeting with the Holy Father was something the couple had been desiring for years.
Vepul has been very active in helping the Missionaries of Charity in their fight for justice in the case of false accusations against them. This was mentioned to the Holy Father by two Goan bishops, Bishop Alex Dias SFX and Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas SFX during their Ad Limina visit in September 2019.
The two bishops told Pope Francis of the great desire this couple had of meeting His Holiness. When Pope Francis heard from them about the help that this lay couple was offering the Church, he immediately agreed to receive the couple in a private audience.
The request for the visit was then endorsed by Archbishop of Calcutta Thomas D’Souza.
“Though we had received confirmation of our audience before leaving India, the final details were uncertain. We arrived in Rome on November 6, 2019, still praying for everything to fall into place. That evening, as we held the official letter of confirmation in our hands, joy welled up within us. That simple sheet of paper, confirming that the audience will take place on November 8, was more than an invitation—it was a miracle in motion” said Vepul.
“As the morning of November 8 dawned, our hearts were full of excitement and reverence. There was a gentle rain that morning—showers of blessing, we felt—an anointing from above on this special day. Though the streets of Vatican City were somewhat flooded, no force could have kept us from reaching our destination. With God's grace, we arrived at the venue in time, undeterred and filled with quiet anticipation.”
At the gates, they were graciously received by the captain of the Swiss Guards.
“Soon after, we were introduced to Monsignor Donald, a priest from South Africa, who was to serve as our translator if needed,” said Vepul.
“After a brief wait, the doors to the Apostolic Library opened, and there stood Pope Francis, smiling, humble, radiant. He personally welcomed us, shook our hands, and guided us to the centre of the room, where cameras quietly recorded a moment that will forever live in our memories.”
From the very first instant, Vepul and Ofelia felt his humility and warmth.
“There was no grandeur, only grace. No distance, only closeness. As we sat down with him, we were moved by how deeply human and down-to-earth he was. His presence was not overwhelming—it was comforting. He listened with compassion, spoke with wisdom, and made us feel as if we had known him forever,” recalled Ofelia.
“We spoke on many subjects dear to our hearts, including our involvement in the ‘Life Ascending’ ministry. When Pope Francis said he remembered Archbishop D’Souza, our hearts were filled with gratitude—it felt as though we were carrying forward something truly ‘blessed’.”
“At the end of our time together, Pope Francis gave us his personal blessing. That sacred moment—the laying on of his hands, the words of prayer, the gentle smile—remains alive in us. Even today, we can feel that blessing echo within our souls.”
“We returned home transformed, our spirits lifted and our faith renewed. We had looked into the eyes of a shepherd who loved his flock deeply, who walked with the poor, who led with kindness and reformed with courage,” Ofelia added.
CONNECT WITH CHURCH
Born in Pune but settled in Kolkata in 1986, Vepul served as Managing Director of a German Diesel Engine Company until August 2021, later continuing as consultant with the company until December 2024.
During work, Vepul found time for social work for the church and following retirement, devoted his full time for various works of the church.
“I have been helping the Calcutta archdiocese and other dioceses in India as a troubleshooter in many issues. My association with authorities enabled me help bishops, priests and sisters in various areas,” said Vepul.
During the Covid pandemic, Vepul helped the Missionaries of Charity reach out to thousands of poor people and distribute dry rations. He continues to help destitutes, who the sisters pick up from streets, to make their ID cards.
“It gives me great joy when some destitutes, who were actually displaced from their families and somehow reach the MoC homes, are reunited once their details are received through these ID cards,” said Vepul.
Ofelia, who married Vepul in 1988, was born in Nairobi-Kenya and moved to Goa in 1970. She has been active in pastoral and other activities of her own parish and of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. Ofelia is currently on the governing board of Seva Kendra Calcutta, the social service society of the Archdiocese of Calcutta.
With the support of Vepul, Ofelia runs ‘Life Ascending’, a ministry begun by the late Archbishop Henry D’Souza, which they continue to nurture in Kolkata for elderly people.
“The ministry has nearly 2,700 members and growing. We also help 18 poor children with their school fees and other requirements,” she added.
Married for 36 years, Vepul and Ofelia, are proud parents of two sons Victor, a journalist, and Kevin, an event planning manager, both working in Canada, continue their service mission which they started doing years ago.
