EPILOGUE
A PROMISE MADE; A PROMISE KEPT
Love is often described as a force capable of moving mountains. Though invisible, it carries within it the quiet power to transform lives, to open paths where none seem possible, and to sustain the human spirit in moments of doubt. For André and Angel, love was never simply an emotion — it was a calling, a covenant, and a journey in which faith and commitment guided every step.
A Love Tested by Duty
Their story recalls that of Abelard and Héloïse, bound by devotion yet challenged by the tension between human love and religious vows. When André and Angel met at the East Asian Pastoral Institute in Manila, they too faced a choice between spiritual commitments and an unexpected calling of the heart. From India to Canada, separated by oceans but united in conscience, they embraced their love without betraying the values that shaped them.
A Sacred Promise
On January 1, 1969, in a modest Manila hotel room, they exchanged a silver medallion engraved with “Nive na premAA” — I love you — their initials entwined in a promise known only to God. Their union, sealed without consummation, became a spiritual marriage awaiting confirmation from the Church and acceptance from their families.
What followed was a long and delicate process:
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Angel sought release from her vows in India.
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André requested laicization from his Jesuit superiors and from Rome.
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Their families, initially cautious, gradually recognized the depth of their commitment.
During a year of separation, André wrote more than one hundred letters — filled with tenderness, hope, and a clear vision of their future. As the world changed, the fear of scandal faded, and new horizons opened.
A Journey Across Continents
On May 30, 1970, Angel arrived at Mirabel Airport, joining André thanks to a fiancée visa, which required proof of marriage within the following month. On June 23, 1970, they married civilly, almost in secret,(Appendix 2) attended only by André’s sister, Monique and her husband Jacques as witnesses while awaiting a religious ceremony, which was impossible as long as André’s laicization remained unresolved
Finally, on December 16, 1970, André received the official letter from Rome, authorizing his return to lay status (Appendic 3 and 4)). On March 7, 1971, in the chapel of Saint-Rédempteur Church in Hull, they celebrated their religious marriage discreetly, attended only by André’s sister, Odette, and her husband René as witnesses. (appendix 1)Through trials, doubts, and forced separations, André and Angel demonstrated that love remains the most powerful force in the world.
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| Wedding in Hull, QC (March 7, 1971) |
André’s steadfast devotion to Angel stands as the clearest testament of all — a life where love, faith, and fidelity became one unbroken promise.
On May 30, 1970, Angel arrived at Mirabel Airport, joining André thanks to a fiancée visa, which required proof of marriage within the following month. On June 23, 1970, they married civilly (Appendix 2), almost in secret, attended only by André’s sister, Monique and her husband Jacques as witnesses while awaiting a religious ceremony, which was impossible as long as André’s laicization remained unresolved
For them, love was never merely a sentimental adventure; it was, above all, an existential quest: how to love without betraying God, morality, or one’s own vocation?
Through trials, doubts, and forced separations, André and Angel demonstrated that love remains the most powerful force in the world.
A Vocation of Service
After becoming a layman, André secured a position at CEGEP Lionel-Groulx, providing stability as Angel adapted to Canada. Though his first attempts to work in international development were discouraging, a chance application to the Canadian Council for International Cooperation changed everything. This led naturally to a role at CIDA, offered by Paul Gérin-Lajoie in 1971.
Soon after, a posting opened in Vietnam — and André accepted. In 1972, the family began a three-year assignment in Asia, passing through India so Angel and Éric could stay temporarily in Reddipalem before joining André in Saigon.
In 1974, a promotion awaited André in Canada — but he declined it. Instead, he chose a posting in New Delhi, fulfilling the promise he had made years earlier. Again, from 1991–1995, he returned to India for a second diplomatic posting, deepening the country’s place at the heart of their family story.
Legacy: SOPAR and Bala Vikasa
Their commitment blossomed into two major development missions:
SOPAR, founded in Canada in 1977
Bala Vikasa, launched in India in 1991
Through these organizations, André and Angel transformed their shared love into a legacy of service. Angel returned to India more than 85 times; André completed over 30 missions after retiring from CIDA in 1995. Their work continues to uplift thousands of villages.
Today, digital tools allow their daily collaboration with India to continue with the same vigor, proving that distance is no barrier when purpose is shared.
A PROMISE MADE; A PROMISE KEPT
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| Center for Social and Responsible Business (CSRB) - Inauguration, January 2023 Founders with SOPAR-Bala Vikasa family |
