Magician priest of Mangaluru excels in spite of handicap
By Ivan Saldanha Shet
It is note worthy that Rev Fr. Ivan Madtha, a well known priest of Mangaluru diocese who met with a rail accident several years ago, lost his left hand, some fingers of the right hand and survived fatal injuries miraculously and after long rehabilitation helped by family and close friends has continued his spiritual and magic ministry more widely, actively and attracted people all over the country, specially South India, with the blessings of many people and organisations. He is officially certified as 80% disabled. He regularly also gives very special religious 'retreats' at Fatima Retreat Center Jeppu Mangaluru and other places in the South and all over India, on invitation.
Invited by PMI, Prison Ministry India, recently held over 40 shows of 'value based magic' in various schools in and around Bengaluru to raise funds for PMI in support of those in Prisons, their families and PMI works. According to an official figure from PMI, 1, 68,000 students attended the sessions and were sincerely motivated by the magic items and talks which Fr. Ivan with the help of Sr. Doris, his assistant performed at different venues normally holding, time consuming two to three shows a day on various stages. His enthusiasm for Christ is unmatched.
Rev Fr Ivan Madtha of Mangalore diocese received National Excellence Award 2011 from Catholic Priests’ Conference of India (CPCI) at a glittering function organized in Trichur, Kerala on 30th November 2011. This is one of the prestigious award given to a Catholic Priest for exceptional services rendered to the society at large. On the second anniversary celebrations of Daijiworld Weekly, during which differently-able achievers were conferred the first 'Swabhiman Awards' on Jun 12, 2011, Fr Ivan was one of the prominent awardees. Fr. Ivan has been chosen in recognition for his work as a Magician priest, for the creative use of the art of magic for the promotion of the Christ's Kingdom and for his great resilient enthusiasm in his mission even after being seriously disabled. He had been nominated by several prominent individuals and institutions for this award. Living at 'Vianney Home' at Fr. Muller's Hospital campus in Mangalore, Rev . Madtha travels around giving retreats, value based talks, personality development workshops and value based magic shows where required. He is admired by a host of people for decades and his talks and discourses are in great demand and appreciated a great deal
Rev Fr Ivan Madtha has recently undergone the 14th surgery on his knee, a major one at Fr.Muller's in Mangaluru, for final correction of his knee which was damaged severely in the train accident many years ago and which seriously impedes his movements. Hopefully it will help him beyond expectations. Thousands of people in groups and individually are offering prayers and assistance for his speedy recouvery.