Necrology
Friars of our province

	Fr. Fulgence Fernandes 1917-2011
Fr. Francis Thomas Baretto 1956-2011	Fr. Felix Silva 1930-2010	Fr. Rudolph Jerome D’Souza 1949-2009
Bro. Vinod Pinto 1986 - 2007	Fr. Richard Castelino 1941 - 2007	Fr. Anastasio Gomes 1923 - 2004
Fr. John of the Cross 1925 -2003	Fr. Antony Silva 1912 - 2003	Fr. Egidius Monteiro 1936 - 2002
Fr. James Victor Vas 1948 - 2000	Br. Louis Pillai 1912-1999	Fr. Bernard Nunes 1917 - 1999
Fr. Nemesio Alzola 1919 - 1995	Br. George Mendonca 1950 - 1988	Fr. Boniface Barracho 1915 -1985

BAPTISMAL NAME:
Rudolph Jerome D’Souza

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Rudolph Jerome D’Souza of the Blessed Sacrament

NATIVE:
Ullal

DIOCESE:
Mangalore

STATE:
Karnataka, India

FATHER’S NAME:
Mr. Rosario D’Souza

MOTHER’S NAME:
Mrs. Mary D’Souza

DATE OF BIRTH:
27-07-1949

ENTERED CARMEL:
1966 at Alwaye, Kerala

SIMPLE PROFESSION:
11-2-1969 at Podanur T.N

SOLEMN PROFESSION:
1975 at Manjumel, Kerala

PRIESTLY ORDINATION:
23-12-1975, Panir, Ullal Church, Mangalore

CONVENTUAL:

Offices Held

·    1983-1987: Third Provincial Councillor

·    1987-1990: Director of Initiation Course

·    1986: Master of Postulants

·    1990-1996: Superior of Fatima Chapel & Chaplain

·    2004 – Superior of Shimoga house

Specialized in

·    Construction

·    Agriculture

·    Electronics

·    Plumbing

·    Art & Technology

EXPIRED:
03/08/2009 (St. Joseph’s Monastery, Carmel Hill, Mangalore) 

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BR. VINOD PINTO (1986 - 2007)
Many saintly Carmelites died young. Their departure always seemed too premature. But that is not the way the Lord seems to look at them. It is not the length of life or the decades of years that matter for God. He acts decisively when he must. He does it once again in our days. In our province too we see His action and we bow in reverence and surrender.

Br. Vinod Pinto, one of our young Novices, aged just 21, a budding religious, learning the style and imbibing the sap of the Carmelite way of life at our Novitiate in Kushalnagar breathed his last at SCS hospital, Mangalore, on June 2nd at 11 a.m. Unbelievable or so it might seem!

Br. Vinod died due to encephalitis after spending almost 24 long excruciating days in ICU. The best team of neurosurgeons and doctors declared that they were helpless. They were trying their luck as much as they could. But man cannot play God.

About a month before, on 30th of April 2007, he complained of fever and a well known doctor of a nursing home in Kushalnagar diagnosed it as Typhoid fever. The suggested medical prescriptions were meticulously followed. In the week that followed, our Fathers from Tapovana community, Kushalnagar, took him to the same clinic thrice more, as there were no positive signs of recovery. However the doctor advised him to finish the course of medicine, which usually lasts a week. By that time he felt much better. So he had his bath and voluntarily joined the community for prayer and even for the common hour of fraternal recreation.

Suddenly there was a surprising turn in his condition. In the evening of May 7th, he had his first convulsions. He was rushed to the hospital. Though he was administered anti convulsion drugs by the medics, he got convulsions twice more and complained of severe headache, fever and nausea. There was no time to waste. He was rushed to the Government Hospital at Kushalnagar, which had better facilities to face emergencies. He was admitted instantly and was kept under observation for the night. The community then decided to shift him to Mangalore.

All arrangements were in place by dawn on the following day and he was on the way to Mangalore, a well-known place for medical attention and care. It was also the closest major town for his family. Fr. Joseph D'Souza, the Novice Master reached Mangalore on 8th May with Bro. Vinod in a private car. Two other novices also accompanied them. As per the wish of his parents he was admitted to the SCS hospital and was immediately shifted to AJ Hospital for CT Scanning to exclude any clot in the brain. He could interact with his relatives, especially his mother who was close to him. She would be physically close to her suffering and unconscious son almost all the days he was in the hospital. Later he was brought back to SCS.

Since the convulsions continued unabated, he was very restless. The team of experts who were attending on him decided on sedation and anti convulsion drugs and he was immediately admitted to ICU. Convulsions were not so marked thereafter. But sadly, since then he never regained his full consciousness.

All the doctors took special interest in the case and went out of their way to be available, trying their best to pull him out of the clutches of death. They arrived at the unanimous conclusion that he was suffering from ‘Cerebral Encephalitis’. They prescribed many tests to find out the cause of Encephalitis. But all tests proved futile. Yet, given the fact that he was young and robust, all doctors gave hope that Vinod could recover.

On the other side continuous prayers were being offered for his recovery in different places and even different countries. Holy Masses were offered for this intention. Many undertook fasting. During the midnight adoration at Carmel Hill on the vigil of the solemnity of Pentecost, special prayers were offered for Vinod. Many Charismatic leaders and healers visited him from all over India. Even the Bishop of Mangalore visited him in the hospital, prayed over him and assured his continued prayerful support.

But God thought otherwise. He wanted Vinod for Himself. Vinod's condition did not improve, rather it gradually deteriorated by the 22nd day in the ICU. The saturation was dropping rapidly. After fighting a courageous battle for 24 days in the ICU he finally breathed his last on 2nd of June at 11 a.m. Doctors were sure it was the deadly cerebral encephalitis that took Br. Vinod away from us.

There was also a co-incidence: On the very day Vinod died, 8 years ago, there was another funeral at Belthangady. It was his beloved grandfather who had died and as his coffin was lowered into the grave, young Vinod jumped into the grave in protest and did not allow them to bury his grandfather. It took sometime to console Vinod. After 8 years, the grandson so to say, jumped into the grave to join his grandfather and no one could dare to object to him.

Bro. Vinod is the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Valerian and Rita Pinto hailing from Ujire, in S. Kanara Dist of Karnataka, India. He belongs to a family that has a series of connections with the Carmelite Order. Br. Pradeep Pinto OCD, his eldest brother is doing his regency at Belur after completing his 9 years of priestly formation in the Order, whereas Fr. Ivan C. Pinto OCD, his paternal uncle is pursuing his higher studies in Rome. Two other cousins are in the lower stages of formation. Even though he was born on November 17, 1986 in Kuwait he was baptized by a Carmelite Priest on 2nd December at Holy Family Cathedral, Kuwait. He has two other brothers: Vishu who is studying at Bangalore and Vishal, doing his PU at Anugraha in Ujire.

Br. Vinod always desired to be a Carmelite. He longed to vest himself in the Carmelite habit. Being the eldest in his batch, he innocently boasted that he would get the Carmelite habit before other novices. “I want to be a Carmelite, I want to do my profession” were his words, when he spoke to his brother Pradeep, the last time. He envisaged both of them attending functions together. Once he said, “We shall both wear the habit and attend the First Communion of Anisha (their niece) in October”.

His wish was indeed granted in a strange way. Though there was still one and a half month to go for his simple profession, he was vested in the Carmelite habit and laid to rest at Carmel Hill cemetery, Mangalore.

Soon we see his family moving from Kuwait to Mangalore. They settled down at Ujire. However, Vinod was left at Belthangady with the grandmother in order to facilitate his studies. He completed his studies up to VIII STD at St. Theresa’s, Belthangady and his IX and X at SDM College, Ujire. On 16th of June, 2003 he joined the Carmelite Order and was sent to Mapuca for his initiation course. He completed his PU studies with 72% Marks, at Sacred Heart Junior College, Madanthyar residing at our monastery – Asha Deepa.

His personality had wide facets and rich traits. He was studious and also a good sportsman. The state team for Volleyball offered him a unique chance to join them, provided they would sponsor his higher studies. Vinod declined this offer as he had firmly decided to become a Carmelite. On the other hand he could also be so delicate and kind. He had a special love for pet animals. He reared pigeons, rabbits, guinea pigs etc. Back at home he had a special fishpond with a variety of fish. In the seminary he often volunteered to take care of dogs and he had a special aptitude for training them. The other important trait in him was the deep love he had for the poor. He would never send a beggar empty handed if he happened to ask for alms. Once when a cow was lost and was found by Vinod in the market place, it was his favorite beggar who volunteered to guard it until he returned with his uncle almost an hour later. That was the respect the beggars owed Vinod while he was still a schoolboy.

All those good things were brought to a sudden halt by his untimely demise. His body was brought to our Monastery at Carmel Hill, Mangalore, from the hospital at around 1 p.m. on 3rd of June 2007. People from all walks of life came in large numbers to pay homage and share the grief of the family and the friars. Though Most Rev. Aloysius P. D’Souza, the Bishop of Mangalore was away on a pastoral visit to a parish, he found time to come and pray over the body of Br. Vinod and console his parents.

The Friars numbering around 50 from almost all our communities along with a few diocesan clergy solemnly sang the Vespers of the Divine Office for the dead, including the Libera Me Domine in Latin. Many religious and laity participated in the Eucharist that followed. Msgr. Denis Moras, the Vicar General of the diocese presided and more than 50 priests concelebrated. Rev. Fr. Dominic Vas the Provincial Superior of the Karnataka-Goa province of Carmelites preached the homily, while Fr. Alwyn Sequeira a long time friend of the family and mentor of Vinod, delivered a touching panegyric as a fitting tribute to the brief but eventful life of Br. Vinod.

It took a lot of time for some two thousand laypeople to pay their respects to Br. Vinod as they passed by his mortal remains in the Infant Jesus Shrine. Then slowly the funeral cortege moved to the cemetery of the Carmelites and Br. Vinod was laid to rest there in a grave that was hewn of the laterite stone earlier. Rev. Fr. William Gonsalves, the Episcopal vicar for Religious conducted the last rites. There was a huge pile of flowers brought by those who wanted to show him their love and affection. No doubt we all will miss him in the coming days. But he has run his race, leaving us all an example and a challenge. Thus came to an abrupt end the brief life of Vinod, like the cloistered Carmelite nun, St. Therese of the Andes who too died of typhoid after being almost the same time in the novitiate as Br. Vinod. God alone knew what was best for him.

May He Rest In Peace!

BAPTISMAL NAME:
Vinod Pinto

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Br. Vinod Pinto of the Holy Spirit

FATHER’S NAME:
Mr. Valerian Pinto

MOTHER’S NAME:
Mrs. Rita Pinto

NATIVE:
Ujire

DIOCESE:
Mangalore

STATE:
Karnataka, India

BIRTH DATE:
17/11/1986

BAPTISED ON:
02/12/1986 at Holy Family Cathedral, Safat, Kuwait

JOINED THE ORDER:
16/06/2003

VESTITION:
19/07/2006

EXPIRED:
02/06/2007

Fr. Richard Castelino, OCD (1941-2007)

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day...” (2 Tim 4:7-8a).

In the late hours of March 9th Friday 2007, our dear, Rev. Fr. Richard Castelino was called to his eternal reward. We were all stunned, as the very thing we wanted to avert had happened. Fr. Richard had undergone major cardiac surgery and it was a joy to know that all had gone well. All looked forward to his happy home coming that was not to be. Though the surgical intervention was apparently successful there was a sudden turn of events for the worst due to high diabetes. It was indeed shocking, but we humbly submit to the divine plan. Thus a veteran missionary of our province passed onto the pages of history.

He was lovingly called Martin Castellino (his baptismal name) by his relatives and familiar neighbours and friends. He was the sixth of ten children. There were two priests in the family Fr. Alphonse Castelino, a diocesan, and Fr. Ligoury Castelino, a Jesuit. Of his three religious Sisters, one preceded him to our heavenly home. Hailing from such a deeply devout family, Martin thought quite early in life of giving himself to a congregation that was especially devoted to Mary. Hence joining the neighbouring Discalced Carmelites, at the other end of his parish at Kulshekar, who often came to the parish for confessions etc. was a straight choice.

He completed his primary and secondary schooling at St. Joseph’s Primary School, Kulshekar, and at Padua High School, Mangalore, respectively. The Carmelite community, founded in Kulshekar a few years earlier, welcomed this promising candidate with open arms, on June 22, 1958, where he stayed as an aspirant with 11 other boys for six months. Those were the initial days of the Carmelite presence in Mangalore in recent times, and the Mangalore community had belonged to the Belgian Province, but would henceforth be integrated into the Manjummel province. This meant that the aspirants would have to go to Kerala for their initial formation.

On March 18th, 1960 after two years of aspirancy in Ernakulam, Martin changed his name to Richard and began his novitiate at Podanur under the well-known novice masters, Frs. Vincent and Basil.

In 1961 he made his first profession in Podanur. Then he had to go to Manjummel for one more year to study Latin since Latin was considered very important in those days. In 1962 he began his philosophy studies at Alwaye seminary while residing at Manjummel. In 1964 he made his solemn profession at Manjummel. He did his theology studies from 1965 to 1969, during which he returned to Mangalore for his priestly ordination in 1968.

Immediately after completing theology in 1969, he was sent for specialization in philosophy at the Pune pontifical athenaeum. After obtaining his degree, he was appointed professor of Latin 1970 – 1971 in Alwaye.

In 1971 the Manjummel province embarked on a great missionary initiative in Andhra Pradesh to cooperate with the mission efforts of the PIME Fathers in the Warangal region. They needed prospective missionaries and Fr. Richard was chosen as one of the three pioneers, along with Fr. Bernadine Luis and Fr. Banda Antony. On the 31 July 1971 he reached Kothagudem, and began his missionary life.

On 1st October Fr. Richard was appointed parish priest of Thallada having picked up the local language without much difficulty. As the mission began to acquire face and form he was appointed mission superior in 1975. Under obedience he accepted, and continued in that office until 1981 when the Karanataka-Goa province came into being. Fr. Richard kept the missions close to his heart even in his last days. Their memories gave him joy and a sense of fulfillment.

The Karnataka-Goa province would expect much from him: he was appointed the first superior of the Carmel Hill community, Mangalore (1981 – 1984). Then he became the superior and the parish priest of Londa, 1984 – 1987, a quasi mission in the diocese of Belgaum which was entrusted to the Carmelites in 1982. In the chapter of 1987 he was elected third councilor and again appointed superior of Carmel Hill, Mangalore. Meanwhile he had also to see to the new foundation in Mumbai.

Fr. Richard showed great readiness for any new venture undertaken by the province, putting up with all the inconveniences that go with it. When Fr. Philip Sainz de Baranda, as superior general, requested his help for the growing mission in Tanzania, Fr. Richard did not wait for his term as councilor or superior to expire, but left immediately for his destination in Africa.

In Tanzania he was appointed the mission superior and the delegate general in 1989. To Fr. Camilo Maccise the next superior general and Fr. Flavio Caloi, the vicar general, who visited the Tanzanian mission in the 1990s Fr. Richard proposed the idea of sending students to Tanzania for theology so that by the time they were ordained priests, they could adapt themselves to the new place and learn the local language and thus become ready for their future mission. That paved the way for successive generations of our philosophy students to receive their theological formation in Africa itself -- first, in Nairobi, and then in Morogoro.

Meanwhile, the Tanzanian mission was transferred to the jurisdiction of the province in 1992. Fr. Richard was once again appointed mission superior, and he was in Kihonda till 1994. From 1994 to 1997 he was the superior of Malolo. In 1999 he was the mission superior once again. Then, in 2000 he was appointed the first parish priest of the new parish that was taken up at Mbezi Louis, Dar es Salaam. Fr. Richard with a smile on his face accepted the burdens of mission leadership, doing his best to contribute to the development of the mission.

As a pastor too, be it in Andhra, Londa, Mumbai or Tanzania, he tried to reach out to the people in their needs. After 12 long years of his mission work in Tanzania, he wanted to take a break and go for a long holiday as his hearing was becoming impaired. If his health permitted he wanted to go back after his holiday in Mangalore to the missions. During his long break he wished to live a solitary life anywhere in the province. He longed to follow the regular observance and community-life.

Fr. Richard in his last days used to say, “I am 62 years old now which means I have a short time here..God may invite me at any time. So I need to prepare myself for a good death. Hence I think of spending these holidays in solitude”.
The community of Mapusa was privileged to savor the richness of Fr. Richard’s personality. If he was a silent bridge between the contemplatives and proactive styles among the members; he was also a bloomer, with his sense of humour during the day and a spicy contributor during the shuttlecock play in the evenings. With his availability and kindness, he was a much sought after friar for confessions in the seminary and anointing of the sick in the local hospital --- he himself had to be admitted to St. John’s Bangalore, for the above-mentioned surgery.

His youngest brother was there attending on Fr. Richard after the operation. The Mapusa community asked the regent, Br. Deepak Pinto to take over and accompany Father back to Goa when he felt fit to undertake the journey. When Br. Deepak arrived at the hospital on the 7th morning along with Fr. Jossey, Fr. Richard seemed healthy and relaxed. His brother left that evening. All was well, so it seemed, after the surgery. Two full days had gone by without any untoward incident.

Unexpectedly, on the night of 8th March Father experienced some pain in his right leg and some physical discomfort, and was also running high temperature and was restless. Frequently he was saying in konkani “ Lord Jesus have mercy on me”. The nurse gave him some tablets and said everything would be okay. But his condition worsened by the time the doctor came around 9:30 in the morning.

After some time Father felt some difficulty in breathing and so he was immediately shifted to the open heart postoperative care unit. Late in the evening they said that his condition was becoming critical. Soon the community at Sadbhavana was informed. By the time the friars arrived the doctors said that Father had passed away. His mortal remains were transferred to Mangalore on 10th March after a brief halt at Sadbhavana, during which besides the community, the SMMI Sisters who also had taken care of him during his stay in Bangalore came to pay their last respects.

The idea of taking the body to Carmel Hill had to be given up because of a liturgical celebration in the shrine. Instead it was taken directly to the mortuary in Fr. Muller’s Hospital, Mangalore. Fr. Patrick Lobo, joined the relatives and a few friars for a prayer service. The next day, his body was brought to the shrine at around 2.00 p.m. All the friars who had come from various communities, sang the office of the dead and ‘Libera me’ in Latin. Fr. Provincial who was in Kuwait, managed to arrive in time to preside over the Eucharist, during which Fr. George Santhumayor, preached a homily. One of his nephews Fr. Tony Pinto sdb, was one of the concelebrants at the altar. Fr. Walter Lobo, the first councilor of the province, who is his first cousin, conducted the last rites, before he was interred in the cemetery at Mangalore. A couple of diocesan priests and his relatives and friends from his parish of Kulshekar formed a large part of the congregation at the Mass and burial. He was the first friar from our province to be laid to rest in the newly constructed graves, built with laterite stones.

So concludes the earthly pilgrimage of a humble Carmelite friar who went about crossing the rivers and the oceans as a missionary with a contemplative heart. Fr. Richard always wanted to do what he could each day so that others might have a brighter day.

May he rest in peace.

BAPTISMAL NAME:
Martin Anthony Castelino

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Richard Castelino of the Infant Jesus

NATIVE:
Kulshekar

DIOCESE:
Mangalore

STATE:
Karnataka, India

FATHER’S NAME:
Raymond Castelino

MOTHER’S NAME:
Lucy Silva

DATE OF BIRTH:
11/09/1941

ENTERED CARMEL:
22/06/1958

SIMPLE PROFESSION:
19/03/1961

SOLEMN PROFESSION:
19/03/1964

PRIESTLY ORDINATION:
22/12/1968

CONVENTUAL:
Alwaye, Andhra Pradesh, Mangalore, Londa, Tanzania, Koteshwar, Shimoga and Mapusa.

EXPIRED:
09/03/2007 (St. John’s Medical College, Bangalore)
 

REV. FR. ANASTASIO GOMEZ OCD (1923 - 2004)
In the demise of Fr. Anastasio, the Church in India has lost a faithful son; the Indian laity its strongest spokesperson; the Indian theologians an erudite Doyen; the Carmelite Order a saintly friar. The Universal Church however will surely one day find in him a true Christian of heroic sanctity.

The death occurred on the 23rd of December 2004 at 06.30hours in the Brindavan Clinic in the neighbourhood of the Mapusa Monastery. A week ago he met the Provincial and the first sentence he said was “It is time for me to go”. There was no health emergency at that time. In two days he would find himself in the clinic with some palpitations of the heart, low pulse rate and some symptoms of urinary infection. These things were attended to at the clinic and the condition was stable. The Archbishop of Goa did visit him in the hospital. Though he was blind he was joking with the hospital staff and those who visited him; or just praying his beads. No complaints, no groaning but no improvement in his condition either. He was intent on 'going' so it seemed to celebrate Christmas in heaven. His mortal remains were interred at Margao Monastery Cemetery on the 26th evening with all solemnity he deserved including Libera Me sung in Latin. So passed by another saint… Silently!

Fr. Anastasio Gomez was born on 11.05.1923 to an economically poor working class family from Nachinola. In fact the Uncle Priest of the present Archbishop Philip Neri Ferrao supplied the necessary economical support during his studies. It did produce right fruits. He will be known world wide for his lofty erudition and theological acumen. He has unique distinction in the Indian Church for writing his doctoral thesis in dogmatic theology, on St. Gregory the great in elegant Latin. He was the studious companion of Mons. Lucio Vega de Cutinho, right from his seminary days at Rachol, and remained an astute observer of the church life especially in Goa even in his sick bed and blindness. A blindness caused by more than half a century of medication for diabetes, yet his life was full of light and the face radiated such inner peace and joy. He gave his unstinted service as the professor in Ecclesiology, fundamental theology and Mariology at the pontifical institute at Aluva, Kerala for more than 20 years. He was a renowned writer with innumerable theological articles to his credit. He worked for more than 20 years as the Editor of the ´Living Word´ the oldest theological journal in India, a periodical begun by Ven. Aurelian of the Bl. Sacrament.

With the demise of Fr. Anastasio has ended a glorious era of theological reflection in the church that lead to the II Vatican Council and the subsequent reform in the Church. He was a very involved theologian especially in the field of dogma. His was, though many a times lonely, a formidable voice of the voiceless in the Indian church that wanted sanity and prudence in the Post-Vatican rush for ´indianization´. Not without reason did so many bishops admire him for his clarity of doctrine and the courage to think in tune with the official church and it's Magisterium. He could easily dismantle the opponents' arguments as no one could quote and interpret the Latin texts of the Magisterium as he could. Naturally he was loved and hated like a prophet. He went ahead majestically without currying favours neither to the crown nor to the court.

The other soft side of his personality was his capacity for spiritual animation. He remained a great spiritual master and spiritual guide for the priest, religious and the laity till the last day. Strong believer in the private spiritual experiences and messages and spent his later years to propagate Marian message to the priests received through the Belgian visionary Margaret and of St. Faustina. Fr. Michel Morris recalls Fr. Anastasio telling him of his surrender to God's will as regards his blindness: “Michael, I prayed so much to my beloved St. Faustina but this time she seems to be not wanting to give me back my sight. Yes I surrender my physical blindness to Him so that those spiritually blind may receive sight.” and “I am suffering more in my conscience than in my body, but I obey. Lord, give me more strength to obey totally.”
He was a great inspiration of heroism in his disciplined life and fidelity to his priestly and religious commitment. Though he was confessor to many priests yet was humble enough to make his regular confession with even a newly ordained priest. He was an eminent example of Marian piety. Even a very Paternal Spiritual Guide to the young seminarians in his later years at Mapusa. He would ask pardon even to an aspirant in case he hurt him. His life was indeed a monumental inspiration for them, which they would miss in times to come.

A joyful religious with polished wit and elegant command of language, not afraid of death or demon. An intellectual sharpness and a fresh memory till the last moments of his life. He was ready to go home as he had said exactly a week ago. No complaints! Only an advice to safe guard and promote prayer life in the Province and keep true to the spirit of our Order. Thus a life well lived has ended in this world only to begin anew in heaven.

Fr. Michael mentions that the greatness of Fr. Anastasio was not so much in his phenomenal memory of council documents. He was a prolific writer, voracious reader, anointed preacher and a man of prayer but his greatness was his deep humility.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Anastasius of St. Joseph,

SECULAR NAME:
Anastasio Bartolomeu Lorenco Santana Gomes,

NATIVE:
Nachinola, Goa,

DIOCESE:
Goa,

STATE:
Goa,;

FATHER:
Camilo Mathias Gomes;

MOTHER:
Claudina de Souza;

DATE OF BIRTH:
11-5-1923;

PRIESTLY ORDINATION:
19-10-47

Simple Profession:
15 August 1949;

Sol. Profession:
8 December 1952;

Conventual: Margao, Brugges Belgium, Alwaye seminary 23.5.1957 31.01.1984. Mangalore, Mapusa;

Obitus:
23 Dec.2004.

REV. FR. JOHN OF THE CROSS OCD (1925-2003)
Fr. John of the Cross, in the world Firmino Gracias was born on 19th November 1925, along with a twin brother who too was a priest. His parents' names are Joaquim Inacio Gracias and Maria Ezildinha Pereira. Both the twins were the students of Rachol Seminary. While one continued his studies, was ordained priest in Goa, went to America and died there; John of the Cross still a senior student of Rachol joined the Order. They were three Goans who joined Carmel together: one a priest who left after temporary vows and the other Fr. Boniface Barracho. While the latter pursued his priestly formation in Trivandrum Fr. John was sent to Belgium for his priestly formation. The entire studies he completed in Belgium and was ordained priest there and returned to Goa in 1955. Almost all his years as a religious, he spent in Margao. Only once he was posted in Mangalore but had to return to Margao due to his sickness. Though in poor health; whenever he was well he lived an exemplary religious life.
He was a great devotee of St. Joseph and spread his devotion around. He was a fervent member of Marian Movement of Priests. His poor health did not permit him to take up preaching ministry in the parishes but he was always ready to help in the celebration of the Holy Mass like the Sunday Mass at Military Camp and other Chaplaincies the monastery had to serve. He would sit in the confessional whenever he was asked to and to all his penitents he advised always to wear the Scapular, which is a sign of Our Mother's protection.

He had to carry the weight of his illness with high dose of drugs throughout his life, which did not permit except a hermit's life. Though he was ready for celebrating H. Mass in regular chaplaincies as well as ready for administering the sacrament of reconciliation round the clock. He could not boast of retreats etc but like the Little Flower he was a man of simplicity and love. Much of his life he was confined to his cell and the surroundings, yet he could radiate a high quality of life that was full of gratitude to those who did any service in his helplessness, including finding the right pages in our complicated breviary.

Last years of his life he was rather sick and the friars had to attend to his medical needs but he took his cross in an exemplary way and had a peaceful death after suffering patiently his physical disabilities owing to a fall. With his 56 years of religious life of which 48 spent in Margao, made him in many ways a unique person.

He has so many things that we may call as strange coincidences with our other departed friars: like Fr. James Vas he too was about to celebrate his Jubilee of his Ordination. In this case the Golden Jubilee. The death came to both of them abruptly during meals time. He died on the death anniversary of Br. Louis Pillay and was laid to rest in our Margao monastery cemetery on the death anniversary of Fr. Boniface Baracho.

The presence of so many people for his funeral was a sign that many people were touched by his simple life. The Archbishop Patriarch officiated at the Eucharist. Fr. Mariano Proenca preached the homily highlighting the joyful humility of Fr. John. His niece appreciated and thanked the community past and present for the care that was given him. While Fr. George thanked all those who collaborated for the funeral, Fr. Provincial gave the short panegyric and conducted the last rites at the Cemetery.

So ends the life of a friar who lived a unique life of childlike simplicity and freedom from fear. He never complained about any one, though it was not easy when he had to depend on everything on the help of others, even for a shave. The novices in times gone by and the scholastics thereafter have done that yeoman service of taking care of this friar. Fr. John used to say: “I don't need anything. I have all things. To pray I have the choir, to rest I have my cell, to nourish I have the refectory, if I die the cemetery is ready, for eternity I have heaven”. He could be so content with the simple but essential elements of Carmelite life, away from the focus lights of social status and refuse to feed our life on the crumbs from others' table.

Perhaps for all these things, the reason is his deep admiration and cult of St. Joseph. He sang loudly the hymn to St. Joseph the previous day of his death going on the wheel chair to the statue of St. Joseph on the corridor. His enthusiasm especially in the month of March perhaps earned him the grace to live a simple life and die a good death on the eve of a Wednesday, the 23rd of September.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. John of the Cross;

SECULAR NAME:
Firmin Marcelino Gracias;

NATIVE:
Margao;

DIOCESE:
Goa;

STATE:
Goa;

FATHER:
Joachim Inacio Gracias;

MOTHER:
Maria Marcelina Quiteria;

DATE OF BIRTH:
19-11-1925

PRIESTLY ORDINATION:
12-7-1953;

SIMPLE PROFESSION:
1-8-1947;

SOLEMN PROFESSION:
24-11-1952;

CONVENTUALITY: Belgium, Margao;

OBITUS:
23.09.2003

REV. FR. ANTONY SILVA OCD (1912-2003)
Fr. Antonio Silva was born to Jeronimo Silva and Ana Blanca Soares in Remanso House, Mapusa, belonging to his maternal grandparents, on December 5, 1912. He was the fourth of five sons born to them. His Father was Government Tesoureiro for Quepem and later served as the Administrador do Palacio de Deao.

Fr. Anton studied at the Escola Primario De Margao. Later on he took private tuitions in Latin. He was very weak in his studies and was shy when it came to speaking in public, reveals Mousinho his brother. “But all this changed when he joined the Seminario de Rachol. It was as if he found the purpose of his birth in this religious college,” he exclaims.

Fr. Silva was ordained a priest on April 16, 1944 for the Archdiocese of Goa. As a diocesan priest he excelled too, for the people of the Majorda parish fondly remember him which was his first posting. He was also the first chaplain of the Rosay Chapel, Fatorda, which is now elevated to a parish. During this time he came to know the Carmelites who had recently built their Monastery at Aquem, Margao. He was very much attracted to their way of prayer life. But according to Mousiinho it was only after his mother's death that he joined the Carmelite Order at Margao. He became a professed member of this Order on July 2, 1951.

Thereafter, he continued to serve in the community at Margao itself for quite many years. For a short period he was a member of our monastery at Alwaye, Kerala and then he was transferred to Pushpasrama, Mysore. In 1972 he was transferred to Mangalore and was made superior of the same house at Carmel Hill in 1975 '78. For the rest of his years he was continuously at Margao till his death on August 13, 2003.

Fr. Silva loved to reach out to one and all. In fact he respected people of other faiths too and was always seen visiting the elderly Hindus or Muslims in the neighbourhood. Perhaps his heartfelt wish to reach out to everyone attracted him to a two-wheeler. One always remembers him riding a moped, which he did even when he was in his late eighties. Though he met with many accidents he never lost confidence. And he got up each time he fell- something, which inspired others a great deal.

It was on the 5th December 2002 that Fr. Anton Silva thanked the Lord, for his 90 years of life. All were wishing him ad multos annos; to go much beyond, to make it a century. His health was good enough and his mind quite alert. His inviting smile and encouraging words, his regularity of life was all there. He easily overcame some minor health problems a few months ago. Though he gave up his moped driving by his 90th birthday, used for taking rounds to distribute communion to the sick, his ministry to the sick and the old went on. On the advice of others he accepted a reduced regimen of activity. Surprisingly a few before his death he was even seen kicking football with Fr. John of the Cross! On Sunday the 10th he offered the H. Mass for the public at 6.00 a.m and on Monday as well. Life was normal for Fr. Anthony till Tuesday.

On the previous midnight he complained of breathing trouble and doctors came rushing and advised him to be shifted to the hospital. But Fr. Anthony was not willing. He thought he did not need any serious medical help, or he simply knew that 'time had come to go home' as he used to say. All the same he was rushed to the hospital. From there it was all a slow but steady slide down. His response for the medical help was poor. By noon on the 12th the renal failure was serious and by evening there was little that earthly medicine could do. He was all-feeble, yet seen to be saying something; his lips were all through moving without noise. He was given the anointing of the sick. At no time he showed stress or struggle. He was serene and radiating inner peace. For any queries he could only respond by nodding. At about 6.00 pm he showed signs of heavy breathing.

On the 13th of August 2003 at about 7.15 p.m. the end came invading, and Fr. Anthony Silva left us to his eternal Home, leaving behind not merely an empty space in the community and in the hearts of those who admired him, but much more, a heroic example of holiness of life; indeed a rich heritage of virtues and a legacy of a meaningful committed life as a priest and as a Carmelite.
The funeral was slated to be held at 4.00 p.m. on the 15th of August, the feast of Assumption of our Lady. The body was brought from the morgue at about 12.00 noon and laid in state for the people to pay their respects, in spite of frequent heavy showers. There was a steady flow of people throughout till 4.00 pm. when the Mass began. The people who piled past could be as many as 5-6 thousands. There were more than 100 diocesan priests for the funeral Mass. The presence of the Carmelites too was robust. The pre-philosophers from Xellim, some theology students from Mangalore, as well as friars from almost all our communities in good number were in attendance. There was the libera me domine sung in Latin, there was the office of the readings celebrated in common, there was the vigil of the friars around the coffin, there was in Paradisum. sung in solo.

The Archbishop Patriarch of Goa Most Rev. Raul Gonsalves, presided over the Eucharist, Auxiliary bishop Felipe Neri Ferrao paid his tributes by visiting the community in the morning hours, Fr. Thomas Aquinas, Rector of Rachol Seminary preached the homily, Fr. Patrick Lobo gave the obituary, the Carmel Choir lead an animated liturgy, the Carmel youth helped very much in the smooth organization of the function, Fr. George Santhumayor expressed the gratitude to one and all, and finally the funeral rites at the grave were conducted by Fr. Provincial. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Margao Monastery in a grave dug out in the laterite stone, on the top of the hill.

His living room could not be any simpler. There was not a thing that one could say superfluous there. His very few clothes mended many times, his age old but tidy sandals, his neat but ascetic bed, are a witness of his loftier riches of human life that lie beyond the boundaries of the world. There were the hand written sermon notes from his first year of his priesthood showing the diligence of his ministry of the word; there were the old copies of the diocesan bulletin Amcho Sevadhorm on pastoral matters; there was the life of Bl. Fr. Joseph Vaz printed in the 17th century in Portuguese. The only curious thing in the room, 6 time-pieces and clocks all giving perfect time, speaks volumes of his punctuality and disciplined life; the breviary and the spiritual reading book of John Powel on the table show his rich and up to date spiritual intake and deep commitment to the priestly obligations and the devotion to the Church. His generosity for the poor was proverbial as his accountability for every penny he handled or received.

Once professed as a Carmelite, he showed himself a man of unflagging zeal outside the monastery and relentless fidelity to observance, inside, especially for the hours of prayer and meditation. After a day full of activity he was to be seen kneeling down in prayer quite often with eyes closed deeply absorbed in communing with God. Even when he had the added responsibility of governing the Margao community, he would rarely allow himself dispensation from the acts of the community, especially the hours of mental prayer. It appears that it was from prayer that Fr. Anton acquired his inner energy for the fulfilment of his commitments.

One would easily miss those slow rhythmic silent steps of a tall towering personality moving along the corridors of the monastery always on his way either to the chapel, or to the confessional, or to spiritual counseling, or to the preaching ministry, or to give the viaticum of the sick. There cannot be a life better lived in our times where the only value is for a life on the platform under the beaming focus lights.

His long life of 59 years as a priest, 52 silent years as a Carmelite lived away from the scenes of power and pomp, and 90 years as believer in Christ have been totally a gift for the Church. There has not been a pulpit in Goa from where Fr. Anthony has not gently but courageously invited his listeners to the feet of Jesus and animated them to put on Christ. The Church in Mangalore, Mysore and above all in Goa owes him a lot for the spiritual vitality. His ministry of the word of God was vibrant, his love for the Eucharist has been marvelous, his contemplative life has made him to grow up and above the rest of us, thus making him truly a son of St. Teresa and beloved disciple of Jesus entrusted to the care of the Bl. Mother. He had the image of our Lady of sorrows, the Last Supper and the picture of our lady of Mt. Carmel occupying special place in his cell.

He had a passion for the people and wanted to serve them in whatever way possible. Whenever there were disputes in family, people would come to him to get his advice; later he would visit the family and would give his simple advice which certainly may not be like that of trained psychologists. But it had ready acceptance because it came from a holy man. Towards the end of his life Doctors had suggested him to slow down his ministry and take some rest. But his love for the people and that urge to communicate the Word of God to the people made him to attend to their needs even at the neglect of the advice of his Doctors.

Fr. Silva's first sermon was delivered at the feast of the Ascension at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Margao. It moved everyone present there including his brother. Fr. Silva indeed gained fame as a good preacher. His simple and practical sermons touched many a life, and his words are still stored deep down in all those who revere him.
It was precisely this great love for the Word of God and his desire to make it known and understood by people that he arranged the bible classes for them at Margao monastery for many years. And rightly so his parting words were “I am going, Jesus is with you, give Him to others”.

His oft repeated phrase last days had been, 'Jesus Loved us so much that he has chosen us to be His disciples. We must proclaim Him to all peoples”. There was a whisper heard all around on the funeral day saying, “ We have indeed lost a Holy Priest on earth and but gained a powerful saint in heaven”.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Anthony of Jesus;

SECULAR NAME:
Domingo Antonio Geravdo de Piedade da Silva;

NATIVE:
Mapusa;

DIOCESE:
Goa;

STATE:
Goa;

FATHER:
Jeronimo da Silva ;

MOTHER: Ana Blanca Soares e Silva;

DOB
5 December 1912;

Priesthood:
16 April 1944;

Simple Profession:
2 July 1951;

Sol. Profession:
15 October 1954.

Conventual:
Margao, Mangalore, Alwaye, Mysore.

Obitus:
13 August 2003.

REV. FR. EGIDIUS MONTEIRO OCD (1936-2002)
Fr. Egidius Monteiro was born on 12 February 1936. At Baptism he was named as Bonaventure. His agriculturist parents at that time lived at Bada Gundi in Agrar Parish, near Bantwal in the diocese of Mangalore.. They later shifted to Belthangady Parish. She had a sister among the AC sisters. He joined the Carmelites while a boarder frequenting the high school at Padua, Nanthoor. He made his first profession on 19.03.1961 and took the religious name as Egidius of the Bl. Sacrament.

He was ordained priest along with Fr. Ignatius Gonsalves at the Milagres Church in Mangalore on 27.12.1967. They both are regarded as the first Manglorean priests of the Order. Immediately he was appointed as vocation promoter and the director of the Vocation home in Mangalore. In that capacity he traveled the length and breadth of Mangalore and Chikmagalore dioceses.

He was a person of multiple talents and interests. He had a melodious voice and an ear for music. His love for Konkani language and for rural folk wisdom as well as rustic food habits has been proverbial. He was a good preacher in the vernacular and had a good command of the language. He has the distinction of being in all the southern states of India rendering ministry before the formation of our province: Alwaye and Kottiyam, in Kerala, Trichy in Tamilnadu, and Kothagudem Mission in Andhra.

He was a good motorbike rider as well. But once however he met with a serious accident and his face was disfigured and had to be recreated by surgery. But that was also a turning point in his life. There begins the role of an accomplished missionary especially in the Karwar diocese. He served especially the remote Gokarna and the Kumta parishes for a number of years.

The Karnataka Goa Province had served the church in Karwar area generously in the early days, even before the diocese was carved out from Belgaum. Fr. Ignatius Gonsalves built the Joida and Mallapur parishes; Fr. Michael Morris was in Halga; Fr. Felix Moras and Felix Silva intermittently in Castle Rock; and many others in other mission stations like Binaga and Mirjan for shorter durations.

The most important part of his life begins as he joins the Pushpashrama community in 1986. There onwards till death he was a teetotaller. In the next triennium he was appointed as the superior of the Aspirants community at Madanthyar. During these years he was sent to Mt. Carmel in Israel for deepening the spirit of the Order. He remained as superior of Madanthyar for 9 long years, perhaps the most beautiful years of his life. He tried his best to be a caring father to the aspirants and struggled to strengthen the week economy of that community. He also served for a short term as superior of Carmel Hill.

In the next triennium he was appointed as the superior of our community at Geddalahalli. Though he had a mild stroke a couple of years ago, Fr. Egidius concluded his earthly life in an instant. On 28th of Jan 2002, he complained of pain in the back as he returned from H. Mass to the Generalate of the CSST sisters in Bangalore. Fr. Wilfred Frank took him to St. John's Medical College. The doctor failed to read the signals of a heart attack. He suspected some chest infection and asked for a chest X'ray. Fr. Egidio returned to the doctor's clinical table after the X'ray and in an instant as he was still speaking to the Doctor, he collapsed, never to be revived despite best of efforts of some 20 doctors. After paying him homage by a sizable crowd at Geddalahalli his moral remains were brought to Mangalore and interred at Carmelhill with all solemnity.

Religious Name:
Fr. Egidius of the Blessed Sacrament,

Secular Name:
Bonaventure Monteiro,

Native:
Belthangady, Mangalore; born at Badagundi (Agrar Parish)

Diocese:
Mangalore,

State:
Karnataka,

Father:
Joseph Monteiro,

Mother:
Ignasia Pais;

Date Of Birth:
12/2/36,

Simple Profession:
19/3/61,

Solemn Profession:

Priestly Ordination:
27/12/67,

Conventuality: Mysore, Madanthyar, Mangalore, Geddhalahalli

Obitus:
28/1/2002, St. John's Medical College, Bangalore

REV. FR. JAMES VICTOR VAS OCD (1948-2000)
Fr. James Victor was born as youngest in Vas family at Neermarga parish of Mangalore Diocese, in Merla Padau village, to parents who were involved in agriculture. He was born on 29 April 1948. He joined the Carmelites soon after his SSLC and made his novitiate under Fr. Bernard Nunes in Carmelite Monastery at Podanur, Tamilnadu. He made his profession there on 11th of February 1968 and took the name James Vas of the Holy Family. Then he was sent to Piusnagar for his philosophy studies; and to Alwaye seminary for theological studies, while residing at Manjummel. He was ordained priest on 21 December 1974 in Mangalore.

After a short stay at Pushpashhram, he was assigned to the slum parish of Daravi and Sion Cemetery in Mumbai. He was much appreciated for his generous service to the people in their spiritual needs. Once the province was established on his shoulders was loaded the financial management of the nascent province. He enjoyed doing the accounts and always on time. The chartered Accountants had no questions to ask when he presented the accounts. He had a very good calligraphy. He was the provincial bursar for rest of his life namely 15 long years, except for the three years of Fr. Joseph D'Souza and the last year while he was a member of Pushpashram Community in Mysore.

He was very self-disciplined, and prepared his sermons well in advance and was ready for distribution of communion for the sick or for the ministry of the confessions at any time. He loved the community and took good care of the garden or the utensils in spite of his duty as the bursar. He had special love for the animals too.

His end came in a most unexpected way on 15 April 2000. He seldom went to see a doctor in his life, as he was never really sick. On the previous day morning of the Palm Sunday 2000 he mentioned of some congestion in his chest. After some coercion he agreed to see a doctor who advised him to take rest that day and go for thorough medical checks the next day. But that evening he finished the community accounts, helped the bursar of the Dhyanavana to complete his accounts as well and made arrangements for the palms for the next day, paid the weekly salary of the workers and then wanted to retire early to bed and so went to have his supper at around 7.15 p.m. While he just began to have his supper, he had a massive attack and there he crumbled to the floor while the community was singing salve Regina after the vespers. All attempts to revive him by rushing him to he Mission hospital were of no avail.

His mortal remains were brought to Mangalore and interred at Carmel Hill cemetery with the presence of the Bishop, very many friars and a big crowd of people. He leaves the legacy of a wise and faithful steward of the province in its difficult initial days of growth and development.

Religious Name:
Fr. James of the Holy Family;

Secular Name:
James Victor Vas;

Father:
Paul vas;

Mother:
Stephania Rego;

Native:
Nirmarga, Mangalore;

Diocese:
Mangalore;

State:
Karnataka;

DOB:
29April 1948;

Simple Profession:
11 February 1968;

Priestly Ordination:
21 December 1974;

Conventuality
Pushpashrama - Mysore, Sion - Mumbai, Sadbhavana - Bangalore, Carmel Hill - Mangalore;

Obitus:
15 April 2000.

REV. BR. LOUIS PILLAI (1912-1999)
Bro. Louis of the Holy Family was originally belonging to the Belgian Flanders Province of the Carmelite Order. He was a citizen of Sri Lanka (Ceylon) of Tamil origin. He was born at Yatitantotagalle on 5 September 1912. His baptismal name was M.R.S Soosai Pillai. He made his first profession of vows in Carmel on 14 July 1937 and took the name of Br. Louis of Holy Family. He was the founder member of Margao community in Goa. The other members being Fr. Lawrence (Belgian) superior and Fr. Mari Joseph. They were staying in the private house lent to the Order near the Holy Spirit Church.

He was a religious for many years, beyond his golden jubilee of profession along with Fr. Bernard Nunes in 1987; and was living his religious vows as a simple and humble brother doing silently and joyfully all the little services to the community, refectory, laundry, sacristy, etc. It was edifying to see him every Saturday to come to all the members of the community with the washed linen of every Father, which he had nicely sorted and folded. So also he would even repair the broken sandals of the Fathers. He was well content being a brother doing the humble works of the community and helping the Fathers to be able to do their ministry.

Every morning he would do Yoga to keep his mind and body healthy. Due to his being conscientious of his poverty, some would have thought of him as stingy person. He was a disciplined man for himself as well as for others, the fruit of the training he received under the Belgian Fathers.

When he was in charge of the sacristy he would do it to his best. He used to teach the altar boys how to serve mass and to motivate them. He used to offer them chocolates or present them with some kind of religious articles. If the altar boys failed to understand anything he would ask them with a smile on his face 'Kitem toklent shen bhorla?'. Thus though he was strict with them, as he also loved joking with them. Because of his disciplined nature some of the members found it difficult to adjust with him. He could never tolerate anyone speaking in the Church or the sacristy, be it the priest themselves or the people. He would calmly tell, “ This place is a sacred one, meant for worship and not for talking. If you wish to talk kindly go out and talk. He himself used to be very particular as regards this and if he wished to speak to anyone he would call him or her out and speak.

He had a great devotion to Our Lady and St. Joseph and other saints of the Order. Everyday after the Mass he would go to each statue in the Church and kiss them. During the month of May everyday he would join the people in praying the Rosary manifesting his love for the Mother of God.

Even in his old age he would try to do some services to the community as his health allowed. He has worked in our communities at Margao, Piusnagar, Mapusa, Londa and Mangalore. He had been to Sri Lanka once in a way to visit his relatives, and finally for the beatification of Blessed Joseph Vaz.

Br. Louis was a member of the Margao community in his last days. As he developed bronchitis and it was not easily responding to medication Br. Louis opted to come to Mangalore for further treatment. He almost had a premonition of his death after receiving the news of the demise of his own brother in Sri Lanka.

He made steady progress and recovered from his illness and was ready to return to Margao. The Margao community had sent a vehicle to fetch him back. As he was getting ready to go that morning he felt pain in his chest and shortly he breathed his last in all tranquility on 23 September 1999. His mortal remains are interred in the cemetery at Carmel Hill, Mangalore.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Bro. Louis of the Holy Family;

SECULAR NAME:
M.R.S. Soosai Pillai;

Born on
5.9.1912 at Yatitantotagalle. Sri Lanka.;

Professed on
14.07.1937;

Sol. Profession:
14 January 1942;

Conventual:
Trivandrum, Margao, Mangalore, Londa Xellim;

Obitus:
23.09.1999, Carmel Hill, Mangalore

REV. FR. BERNARD NUNES OCD (1917-1999)
Fr. Bernard of Mary Immaculate, an East Indian, was born on 26 Jan 1917 at Orlem, Mumbai. His Baptismal name was Polycarp Alexander Nunes. He was a great religious, learned priest, exemplary friar and saintly Carmelite. He joined the Bombay archdiocese as a young boy and was sent to Kandy, Sri Lanka for his priestly studies.

Being inclined by nature to a life of contemplation and prayer he got permission to join the Carmelite Order. He completed his novitiate in Trivandrum under Fr. Lucas and benefited very much from him and from the example and spiritual direction of Archbishop Aloysius Benziger, who retired to Trivandrum monastery after his ministry as bishop. He was often asked by superiors to go to Rome for higher studies but he declined saying that he did not become a Carmelite to become a doctor.

He was first posted in Margao Monastery and when the novitiate was opened he was the acting Novice Master as the actual incumbent of the office Fr. Nicholas was in Belgium. He initiated the Carmelite life to the very first group of 4 novices who joined when the novitiate was opened in 1948. They were 4 of whom 2 persevered and made Profession (Fr. Brocard Left after Solemn Profession) and the late Fr. Anastasio Gomes. He taught the novices with his substantial daily instruction and also by his exemplary religious life. Truly he was a man who lived all that he taught. After a few years when the novice master resigned and went back, Fr. Bernard was given the charge. The novices were late Fr. Anthony Silva, Fr. Camillus (Paul D'Souza), Fr. Simon Stock (Felix Shagas Silva) and Br. Mark (brother of Fr. Felix Silva) who left the Order after his ordination to diaconate in Rome.

As a Formator, Fr. Bernard had an eye for details, and noticed everything the novices did and said. He explained to them the monastic virtues in detail and tried to lead them in the practice of these virtues. He always kept himself busy, engaged in spiritual exercises, reading, taking notes, taking classes in spiritual theology, even during recreation, copying down jokes from the Reader's Digest or from some joke books. He was ever eager to share his jokes with others; but he himself was ever the first to enjoy them.

When once Fr. Anastasio Gomes came to Margao and was asked to take classes on spirituality for the novices Fr. Bernard was present there attending like a novice. Then it was said he realized that there is still so much to learn in the spiritual theology and changed his mind and asked the superiors to send him to Rome for higher studies in spirituality. In Rome he attended the Institute of Spirituality in Angelicum where he attended classes of such celebrities as Fr. Phillip O.P. On his way back from Rome he was posted in Mangalore. Afterwards he worked in Alwaye seminary as the librarian. When the Province was erected there was an idea to make him Novice Master but he pleaded with the Provincial to allow him to go back to Rome to do research in the teaching of Our Holy mother St. Teresa. Then he returned to the province and was posted in Mangalore. He could be considered as a specialist in the Province in the teaching of Our Holy Mother St. Teresa. He was very much sought as a retreat preacher and every time he accepted a retreat he would prepare afresh the talks he planned to give so that these were highly beneficial and contextualised. And he had always lot of stories to illustrate his teaching. He was also called upon to offer a course in spiritual theology every year to the seminarians at Mysore.

He was noted especially for his meticulous punctuality and conscious laboriousness. He would use every moment of his day to pray or work. Even during recreation, when his tongue was busy in conversing and cracking jokes, his hands were involved in some work. He was indeed a learned, cultured, fervent, in short a saintly religious. Fr. Bernard was assiduous in the ministry, never complaining about the inconveniences occasioned by the ministry ever ready for preaching, giving retreats, and hearing confessions. His retreat conferences were full of fun and laughter.

He died on 8 January 1999, after a massive heart attack, when he was on a visit to his relatives in Bombay. His mortal remains are interred at Carmelhill, Mangalore.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Bernard of Mary Immaculate,

SECULAR NAME:
Policarp Alexander Nunes,

NATIVE:
Orlem, Bombay,

DIOCESE:
Bombay,

STATE:
Maharashtra,

FATHER:
Manuel Francis Nunes,

MOTHER:
Rita Mary Francis Nunes.,

DATE OF BIRTH:
26-1-1917,

SIMPLE PROFESSION:
8-7-1937,

SOLEMN PROFESSION:
8-7-1940,

PRIESTLY ORDINATION:
29-2-1943;

CONVENTUALITY:
Trivandrum, Margao, Alwaye seminary, Rome, Mangalore,

OBITUS:
8-1-1999.

REV. FR. NEMESIO ALZOLA OCD (1919-1995)
Fr. Nemesio Alzola was born in Salvatierra village in the vicinity of Vitoria city in the Basque land of Spain. Soon after his ordination to the priesthood he opted to work as a missionary in India. His option was accepted and he was sent to the Vijayapuram Mission in Kerala. There he was partially instrumental in the foundation of the cloistered Carmel in Kottayam as well as the building of the beautiful Good Shepherded Monastery there. When Fr. Victor San Miguel OCD was chosen as the Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait Fr.Nemesio was called upon to take over the management of the finances of St. Joseph's seminary. Alwaye then the biggest seminary in the world, with some 600 or more resident seminarians in the campus, contributing to the Church in India approximately 80-100 priests each year.

This seminary was also unique as it was meant for all the three catholic rites; and thus has contributed to the vitality especially of the Kerala and Indian Church in a grand manner. This heavy job he did with care and love almost till the seminary was transferred from the Carmelite jurisdiction to the Kerala Catholic Bishops Conference in 1980.

Soon after, he opted to join the Manjummel Province and was made superior of Shalini Bhavan, Sion in Mumbai. When the Karnataka- Goa province was carved out of Manjummel, Fr. Nimesio along with Fr. Marcelino Iragui OCD opted to serve the new province while retaining the incardination in the Navarra Province.

In the first provincial Chapter held soon after the establishment of the province Fr.Nemesio was elected as the first provincial of the Karnataka-Goa Province. He had the honour of being reelected again for the second triennium. During those initial days of the province, first steps were taken for the foundation in Belur, Xellim and Londa while finding adequate space for the formation needs at Mangalore, Mysore and Madanthyar.

After his term in office he was the superior of the then novitiate house at Margao, and there he embarked on remaking the parlour, guest rooms etc.in view of organized spiritual apostolate. He also initiated the process for regaining the ruins and the land of our first foundation in Old Goa dating as back as 1628. Later he was superior of the new community in Mapusa, where after being in the hospital for kidney ailments he breathed his last on 25 July 1995. His mortal remains are interred in the cemetery of our Margao Monastery.

Religious Name:
Fr. Nemesio of the Infant Jesus

Secular Name:
Ricardo Alzola;

Native of:
Salvatierra, Spain;

Diocese: Vitoria;

State:
Basque.

Born on:
14 Feb.1919;

Professed on:
28 August 1935;

Sol. Profession:
29 June 1944;

Obitus:
25 July 1995

REV. BR. GEORGE MENDONCA OCD (1950-1988)
Bro George Mendonca hails from Pangla parish in Mangalore diocese. He was born on 23 April 1950. He came to Carmel after completing his PU studies at home. His elder priest brother is a well known Church jurist in Canada.

He did his novitiate and pronounced his first vows in Carmel at Podanur, in Manjummel Province as a non-cleric brother. He took the religious name as Br. George of Little flower, to whom he was very much devoted and loved. He was inclined by nature to austere life. With due permission he tried a more austere form of religious life, but did not persevere there. He came back and was posted in Margao monastery.

As a person Br. George was hilarious, simple, innocent and enthusiastic. He was also generous in service to the community wherever he was put. He could not be entrusted with heavy community responsibilities as he was on medication for long. He always had health problems, both physical as well as psychological. He gave an example of an obedient and humble religious doing whatever service he could for the community during the brief time he had as religious.

He was often sickly and death came to him suddenly in Margao monastery i.e. he was found lifeless in his room in the morning of 7th august 1988. The doctors diagnosed it to be a massive heart attack. His mortal remains are buried in Margao cemetery.

Religious Name:
Bro. George of the Little Flower;

Secular Name:
George Mendonca

Native parish:
Pangla, Mangalore;

Diocese:
Mangalore;

State:
Karnataka;

Father:
Cashmire Mendonca,

Mother:
Apserine Monis;

Date of Birth:
23/4/50;

Date of Simple Profession:
15/8/74;

Date of Solemn Profession:
15/8/80;

Conventuality:
Carmel Hill, Mangalore, & Margao.

Obitus:
On 7th August 1988 at Margao

REV. FR. BONIFACE BARRACHO OCD (1915-1985)
Rev. Fr. Boniface of Jesus and Mary was baptized as Joaquim Barracho. He hailed from Raia Salcette, Goa. He was born in 1915 and was a diocesan seminarian at Rachol where he studied up to Philosophy. Those days he used to be quite ill and found it hard to study. However, when he joined the Carmelites he was able to pursue his ecclesiastical studies better. He was given the name Boniface, in memory of the then Belgian Provincial Fr. Boniface. When he joined Carmel, the Malabar semi province had been just erected and Goa monastery was kept as part of Belgian province. Together with him two other Goans had joined the novitiate: one Fr. Elias D Souza who left after his Profession and the other was Fr. John of the Cross who too joined as a seminarian. After his Profession, while John of the Cross was sent to Belgium for his philosophical and theological studies, Fr. Boniface was asked to study theology in Trivandrum of Malabar Semi province and was ordained priest there.

Soon after, the new foundation at Carmel Hill Mangalore was to be his apostolic destination. Most of his time as Carmelite priest he spent in Mangalore. He was the right hand of the late Fr. Constantine (Belgian). In building up Mangalore monastery he was responsible to cut the hard laterite rocks of the compound and fill it with earth brought from outside and make it level and cultivable so that if now Mangalore monastery has fine coconut trees and mango trees it was due to his work. He can be considered as one of the founders of Mangalore Monastery.

With his BSA motorbike he would reach all the city parishes and even many of the village parishes for preaching and confessions. He had a unique way relating to people, poor and rich alike, and would remember them by name even after many years of gap.

Later when Mangalore monastery was handed over to Manjummel province Fr. Boniface still remained there especially in charge of the boarding boys. He was a successful vocation promoter too and many of our senior Mangalorean Fathers of the Province were the fruits of his zeal.

Eventually he was responsible for the purchase and foundation of Mysore monastery. The property belonged to the Maharani of Mysore and with the help of Bishop Mathias Fernandes of Mysore he succeeded in getting it for the Order.

When the province was formed in 1981 he was posted again in Mangalore and was very popular in that diocese and had many friends esp. among the Mangalore lay Catholic families in the city and priests. He had a smile and kindness to all and he left a mark of warmth and friendship in all whom he met. Many priests came to him for the sacrament of reconciliation. His life was simple. He was a person who loved the workers and the poor very much. He too was very much loved by all the neighbours, Catholics, Muslims or Hindus alike. He loved the community and spent his later years between his cell, garden and the chaple.

He expired in Goa. He had come to spend some time with a family well known to him in Mapusa when he got a stroke while still on journey by night bus. He was rushed to Remanzo hospital and after a few days already in coma he was transferred to another clinic in Panjim where he expired. Though a Goan and most of his family members still living in Goa, Mangalore was lucky to have his last funeral rites performed in Mangalore monastery. His popularity was seen when about 100 priests of the diocese participated in the funeral mass. His mortal remains are interred in Carmel Hill Cemetery.

He could very well be regarded in the history of the Province as cofounder of Mangalore and founder of Pushpashrama Monastery, Mysore.

RELIGIOUS NAME:
Fr. Boniface of Jesus and Mary;

SECULAR NAME:
Joachim Inacio Barracho;

Father:
Jose Vincent Barracho;

Mother:
Anna Maria Melo Tavares;

NATIVE Parish:
Raia Salcette;

DIOCESE:
Goa;

DOB:
15 Jan 1916

Simple profession:
1 August 1947.

Solemn Profession
1 August 1950;

Ordained Priest:
21 April 1951;

Obitus: 25 September 1985.

Generalate

NEWS ARCHIVE

Liturgical Calendar

Carmelite Liturgical Calendar

The Carmelite Heritage of Old Goa

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Rev. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves
Provincial

Rev. Fr. Dominic Vas
1st Councillor

Rev. Fr. William
Miranda
2nd Councillor

Rev. Fr. Silvestre
D' Souza
3rd Councillor

Rev. Fr. Elias Daniel
4th Councillor

Rev. Fr. Vinod Lobo
Provincial Secretary