By T.S. Thomas for UCA News
Mangalore, April 4: For eight years a Catholic priest preached through prestidigitation, until a train accident seven months ago took his left hand and two of his right-hand fingers, and damaged his legs.
"I have performed magic for Jesus, now he is working his magic on me," said Father Ivan Madtha, who is undergoing rigorous physiotherapy exercises to overcome his handicap. The 42-year-old "Magic Father" of Mangalore Diocese said he is getting ready to perform for God again.
Some 1 million people had watched his feats on more than 1,000 stages throughout India before the accident on Aug. 30, 2005. At the time he was booked for more than 100 shows in dioceses in central and eastern India.
His most popular stunt was the "Houdini escape," in which he appeared among the audience after being chained and locked inside a box, a bit of stage magic analogous to Christ's resurrection. His 150-minute magic shows were built around more than 100 events from the Bible such as the Creation story, Eden, the Ten Commandments, the Exodus, Jesus' crucifixion and the Resurrection.
Stage magic could not help, however, when someone accidentally pushed him off a moving train during rush hour in Mumbai, western India. The train severed his left hand and crushed his right hand and legs.
"God has taken almost all of them," he told, gesturing to his damaged limbs. But he quickly added, "God performed a miracle and saved me from death."
He said the accident only increased his faith in God. "I am not worried. I performed only tricks and magic. (God) performs miracles for me," Father Madtha told UCA News from his room in Father Muller's Hospital in Mangalore.
"Maybe God has some more innovative plans for me," said the priest, looking cheerful and relaxed. He can now move his legs and the remaining fingers of his right hand after prolonged physiotherapy.
Father Madtha said that before the accident, he averaged about 100 shows a year before audiences of at least 1,000 people.
The priest said the accident and his recovery have convinced him to continue his "novel ministry of evangelization." From his hospital bed, he tried to perform some tricks with the artificial fingers on his right hand. To perform "bigger items," he still needs a left hand.
A modern artificial hand can perform 80 percent of the functions of a natural hand, but its high cost of about 1 million rupees (US$22,435) is an obstacle. Nonetheless, Father Madtha said he hopes to "electrify the audience again with an electric hand."
His mother, Alice, and his sister, Doris Mascarenhas, have been with him since the accident. Alice recalled him being a curious and determined child. "He started practicing magic from his school days, although he wanted to become a priest," she said. She added that she is proud of her son as a priest and magician, and shares his conviction that he will resume his magic shows after his recovery.
Father Madtha said his inspiration to perform magic tricks came from his family, "but my priest colleagues and the bishop identified, recognized and promoted my talents."
His superior, Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza of Mangalore, has told him to think of counseling as an alternative mission. But the bishop also has asked Catholics in the diocese to "pray earnestly" for Father Madtha to return to "the same ministry."
Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore, who visited Father Madtha in the hospital, has encouraged the priest, saying he would be able to perform "even more powerfully than before, with a much deeper experience of Jesus."
Once, he staged 28 shows in Bidar, a mission in Karnataka state, that the priest says is considered a record in the world of magic. In most places, more than 80 percent of his audience comprised people from other religions. In 1997 he became a member of the Indian Magic Convention.
Expressing confidence that he can return to his magic ministry in a year, Father Madtha said, "When God takes away one thing, he gives other things."
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