In Remembrance Br. Bruno Karpinski, S.J.

Reflections by Jerry Drinane, S.J.

Brother Bruno W. Karpinski, SJ died November 6, 2008 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan.

Bronislaus Karpinski (later known as Bruno or Karp) was a man for all seasons, and like a good Jesuit, he was ready for any kind of work at any time.  He was a wonderful community man, always entertaining, and a man of deep prayer and fidelity to his religious life.  He went to a technical school as a youth, and his early work was in the mechanical line.  So it was natural that from his novitiate on, he was given various jobs that involved machines: at Milford, he was the boiler operator, in charge of the farm, pasteurizing the milk, and carpentry work.  He was also the mailman and buyer for a house.  Karp never knew what to expect when the rector would call him in for a new assignment.

So it is not surprising that when he came to India in 1948, Fr. Jack Barrett who was just starting Sanjivan Press pounced on Karp as his manager and assistant.  At least he sent Karp to Calcutta for four months to learn something about presses.  From then on until 1965, Karp kept the Sanjivan presses rolling with a mixture of wire, tape and prayer.  It meant working from morning till night.  He loved the work and the workers, but that did not prevent him from frisking them as they left the press in the evening, to avoid the ever-present danger of theft of the lead type.

About this time, Karp went for a home visit to the USA, and on his return he had a very severe case of jet-lag and insomnia.  He needed a change, and the provincial thoughtfully sent him to the peace and quiet of Rampur with Fr. Bob Ludwig as his friend and therapist.  Working with Bob and being with the orphans was just what Karp needed.  After this interval of peace, Karp went to the Kathmandu to see if he could fit in with the work there.  He filled the office of minister and maintenance man, and spent his part time teaching craft work to the hostel boys at Godavari school.  This began his interest in making religious articles, and toys for children which he continued for the rest of his life.   Around 1990, Karp decided it was time to retire, and Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan, welcomed him with open arms.  He was helpful in many ways, always at the service of the community.  His room was a regular display case of colorful religious pictures and other items which he made in the carpentry shop.

His health, except for the period of insomnia, had been good, but about a month ago he had severe pain from a kidney stone.  At the same time, it was found that his heartbeat was irregular, and he had a pace-maker inserted.  He was due to get further treatment, but he suddenly went to the Lord on the 6^th of November, the day of commemoration of all the deceased of the Society.  The Lord picked the right time for him to enter the heavenly court and he must be getting all kinds of new assignments.

Biographical Information

Brother Karpinski was born in Erie, Pennsylvania on January 19, 1920.  He entered the Society of Jesus on March 2, 1942, at the Milford Novitiate in Milford, Ohio.  He pronounced his final vows on August 15, 1952 in Patna, India.

From 1948 to 1974 he was the manager of the Sanjivan Press in Patna, India.  In 1974 he served as Minister of the Jesuit Community and Crafts Instructor at St. Xavier School in Kathmandu, Nepal.  He remained there until 1991 when he became an English teacher in Gdynia, Poland.  He came back home and moved to Colombiere Jesuit Center in July 1992 where he was a carpenter, took care of the mail and continued to pray for the Church and the Society.