By Bro. John Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Pilar (Goa): “As we celebrate 94th death anniversary of Venerable Agnelo, let us thank the Most Holy Trinity for the gift of Ven. Agnelo to us and strengthen our relationship with Jesus through prayer and the Word of God, to show concern and serve the needy. For this, Ven. Agnelo is a model for us,” said Archbishop of Goa and Daman and the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão.
Archbishop Ferrão delivered the homily at the headquarters of the Missionary Society of St. Francis Xavier is located at Pilar, hence the common name of Pilar Society given to the missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier.
Pillar is a village in Goa some 10 km from the state capital Panaji. It is on a hill top and has a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and the mountains all around
The prelate was speaking on the theme ‘To experience the presence of Christ in our Families: Ven. Agnelo, a Model,’ at the Eucharist celebrations held at Pilar on his 94th death anniversary. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão presided over the Eucharistic celebration along with Fr. Sebastião Mascarenhas sfx, Superior General of the Society of Pilar; Fr. Tony Fernandes sfx, Vice Postulator; Fr. Nazareth Fernandes sfx, Vicar-General; Fr Mateus Fernandes sfx, Provincial of Goa Province of the Society of Pilar and 40 more priests as concelebrants.
The pandemic had restricted devotees from frequenting the hillock last year. This year, with the easing of the pandemic many flocked to Pilar to seek blessings of this Holy Son of the soil, Ven. Agnelo. This year, as a precautionary measure no stalls were allowed on the hillock.
Reminding the words of St. Paul to the Ephesians, Archbishop said, “God has bestowed on us all the heavenly spiritual gifts and even before he made the world, he loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. This generous plan of God makes us his adopted children in Christ. To fulfil his plan, God has bestowed on us his grace through Christ. Ven. Agnelo generously and faithfully responded to the plan of God and became an example for us,” Archbishop said.
Recalling the life and the virtues of Ven. Agnelo, the Archbishop, highlighted virtues of Ven. Agnelo like Man of prayer, Lover of the Word of God, caring, compassionate and merciful person, and service oriented.
“His relationship with Jesus through prayer helped Ven. Agnelo to know the will of God. In order to experience God’s presence, prayer is must,” said Archbishop Ferrão.
Fr. Sebastião Mascarenhas sfx, Superior General of the Society of Pilar, speaking on the occasion, thanked Archbishop and expressed his joy over missionary vocation lived by Ven. Agnelo, who also lived a saintly life.
Fr. Tony
Fernandes sfx, Vice-Postulator said that a favour received through the intercession, after going through the diocesan process; need to be sent to the Congregation of the cause of Saints, Rome. He appealed to the devotee to pray for the same. He also thanked Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão for all the support and cooperation. Fr. Ivo Fernandes, sfx was the liturgical commentator while Fr. Nazareth Fernandes sfx, Vicar-General proposed a vote of thanks. Fr. Reagan Fernandes sfx led the liturgical singing.
“We have not done much publicity about this day’s celebrations in the parishes, but we are satisfied with the response of the faithful and devotees of Ven. Agnelo, who participated in the novena and feast day masses,” said Fr. Tony Fernandes, Vice Postulator for the Cause of Canonisation of Ven Agnelo. “This year’s celebration was unique. We could accommodate only 800 devotees in the pandal due to COVID-19 restrictions. I have experienced a calm and serene atmosphere at the Pilar hillock,” Fr. Tony added. He felt that Ven. Agnelo was just drawing people to himself even in this pandemic.
