Fr. Agnel & Pilar

Fr. Agnelo Gustavo D'Souza - the Servant of God

A photo feature by William Rodrigues

Pictures of Pilar Feast Nov 2003 - exclusive for Goa-World.com by  William Rodrigues

click on thumbnail images for larger ones

Platinum Jubilee celebrations close

Thousands of people flocked the Pilar hill to close the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the death anniversary of Venerable Fr. Agnelo on 20th November. Archbishop Patriark Raul Gonsalves who was the main celebrant of the Solemn mass told the packed gathering that Fr. Agnelo will be declared a Saint if God wants and when He wants. He said that our attention should not be on the miracle required for his beatification but on the saintly example he has left for us to imitate. The Auxiliary, Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao and the Bishop of Andaman Diocese Bishop Alex Dias along with Fr. Tony Lopes, the Superior General of the Society of Pilar, Fr. Kyriel D'Souza, the
Episcopal Vicar for Religious and a whole lot of other priest concelebrated the Solemn Mass.

Bishop Alex who is also member of the Pilar Society delivered the homily. In his homily he recalled his days in Pilar as a student and the fervent devotion they had towards Fr. Agnelo. On elaborating the different opinions on Fr. Agnelo by others, he said that he was truly a saint and role model. He exalted the gathering to imitate his lifestyle and values, and said that the Jubilee celebration would be fruitless if we did not emulate his example.

During the post communion, a souvenir titled 'Celebrating a Living Memory' was presented by Fr. Peter Raposo, the Editor of V Ixtt and was released by Archbishop Patriark Raul Gonsalves. This was followed by the release of the Book, 'Xant ani Bullvont', written by Dr. Sergio Mascarenhas on the life of Fr. Agnelo in the hands of Bishop Filipe Neri Ferrao. The Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Fr. Agnelo, Fr. Tony Fernandes who presented the book appreciated Dr. Sergio Mascarenhas and said that the writer had had taken care to include the minute details of the life of Fr. Agnelo.

Earlier Fr. Tony Lopes, the Superior General of the Pilar Society welcomed the Archbishop, the Bishops and the gathering and took the opportunity to thank the Archbishop and the Bishops for their presence and for personally extending their support towards the Beatification cause of Fr. Agnelo. The vote of thanks was rendered by
Fr. Tony Fernandes and Fr. Santos Fernandes compeered the liturgical celebration.


Fr. Peter Raposo
Editor - V.Ixtt
 

Photographer: William Rodrigues (Coordinated by: Cecil Pinto).

Pilar - named after Our Lady of The Pillar is a sleepy little hillock ward of Goa Velha, is ablaze with activity as the feast of Fr. Agnelo is celebrated today 20th November, after a week of largely attended novenas. Normal masses were held at 5.30, 6.30, 7.30, 10.30 a.m. and 12.15, 4, 5 and 6 p.m. The high mass was concelebrated by Archbishop Msg. Raul Nicolaou Gonsalves at 9 a.m.

This year, unlike previous years, all the masses were held in a temporary pandal erected next to the Pilar Monastry to accomodate the large crowds.

The famous 'Agshechim Chourisam' were abundantly visible being sold by gold bedecked 'Agshicaram' shaded by flashy umbrellas. It was amusing to see 'festakars' from all over Goa bedecked in their festive best 'suit boot' partaking of the mouth watering chouris-pao with the oily gravy dripping on their fingers to be wiped dry with a new handkerchief specially scented for the occasion. The deliciously pungent vinegar smell of the sausages wafted throughout the area contrasting well with the foreign perfumes and talcum powder on sweaty faces.

For the first time (to this writers knowledge) 'katta-kongeo' (a variety of sweet potatos) were being sold at a feast!

Small stalls with games of chance and skills run by the local youngsters vied for your attention.Loud noises, loud clothes all formed a lively background to the sober mass proceedings.

Photo Gallery

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Bird's eye view of Pilar complex today
The Pilar Monastary
Stalls awaiting customers

High mass in progress
Bus named after Fr. Agnel
Religious items vendor

Bentins etc.
Sun protection for vendors and wares
Lip smacking Goenchim Chourisam

Kadyo Bodyo
Katta Kongeo sellers

Festache Chonne-Bhiknna
Gold bedecked sausage seller
Young Goan couple with children
Fr. Agnelo D'Souza

FR. AGNEL

Born in the coastal village of Anjuna on 21st January 1869 - the sixth among nine children (8 boys and a girl) of Minguel Arcanjo de Souza and Maria Sinforosa Magalhaes, Agnelo lost his mother at the age of eleven and his father when he was just thirteen.

After completing his second grade examination of Primary Curriculum helped by his eldest brother Manuel Aristedes (also a priest) Agnelo studied Latin for 2 years in a private institution. He then joined the minor Seminary at Mapusa and later went to Rachol for higher studies in Philosophy and Theology. Agnelo was admitted as a candidate in the Society of Pilar on 17th July 1897 - the Feast day of our Lady of Pilar, Patroness of the Convent and the Society. While still a candidate he was ordained Deacon on 18th December 1897 at the monastery of Santa Monica and five months later on 22nd May 1898 made his first profession as a member of the Missionary Society of Pilar. The Socety of Pilar was founded by Fr. Bento Martins in 1887.

On Saturday 24th September 1899 - the feast of Our Lady of Merces - Archbishop Dom Antonio Sebastiao Valente, first Patriarch of the East Indies, administered the final orders to Agnelo at the Se Cathedral making him a Minister of Our Lord, to whom he had already dedicated his entire life.

At Pilar, Fr. Agnelo spent the first ten years of his pious priestly life buried in the recesses of the monastery. He came out occasionally, in obedience to the wishes of his superiors, to perform some priestly duties.
As years passed, Fr. Agnelo decided to dedicate himself entirely and perpetually to the service of God. On completion of the second 5 year period of his profession Fr. Agnelo made a solemn promise of perpetual dedication to the service of the Society on September 8th 1908, the day of the Nativity of Our Lady on the steps of the altar of Our Lady of Pilar, in the presence of his superior and brother members of the Society.

On December 10th 1909 Fr. Agnelo was appointed as Missionary Vicar of Kumta in North Kannada by the Patriarch of Goa Dom Matheus de Olivera Xavier and took charge of his post on 6th January 1910. He served in Kumta till 21st May 1917 after which he was transferred to Goa as curate of Sanvordem Church.

Fr. Agnelo was appointed Spiritual Director of the 'internal' students of the Rachol Seminary on 20th May 1918. On 15th April 1920 while he was being confirmed as Spiritual Director of the seminary he was also appointed Director of the Apostleship of Prayer in the Seminary. He held both offices till the very end.

The concern and interest of Fr. Agnelo for the well being of the Seminarians extended also to their material wants. He assisted poor students with money - his left hand not knowing what his right hand gave. He realized what expenses were incurred by parents who sent their sons to the Seminary specially when they came from less priveleged families. Regarding this he said to one of the professors "It is not necessary to be very scrupulous about passing a student, but you have to be scrupulous in failing him, for thereby he suffers the loss of his money, his energy and of the year of the priesthood".

In 1927 his weak health seemed to be breaking down. The 'beast of burden' as he used to call his body could not stand the strains any longer of his ceaseless labours, austerities and vigils in spite of medical care. When his condition appeared to have slightly improved he returned to the Seminary even though he had already a pre-sentiment that his death was drawing near.

In the meantime the feast of the Sacred Heart drew near. Fr. Agnelo was greatly devoted to the Sacred Heart his superiors seeing his health had improved due to medical treatment asked him to preach the novena of the Sacred Heart in the Rachol Seminary where the feast was celebrated in the month of November.

Classes and Novenas followed each other until the evening of November 19th 1927 at vespers of the feast when the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. Fr. Agnelo mounted the pulpit and began his discourse. That evening the usual fire and eloquence seemed to have deserted him. His pitch was low and as he continued speaking his voice became fainter and fainter. The end of the sermon was early and as the saintly priest knelt for a final thanksgiving prayer in the pulpit he lost balance and was borne away in a helpless but conscious state. He insisted on being laid on a bench in the corridor of the church where he lay devoutly with folded hands to receive the benediction of the Blessed Sacrament that followed the end of the vespers.

A quick examination revealed that Fr. Agnelo suffered coronary thrombosis with paralysis of the left arm and leg. Treatment was administered at once and the Last Sacrament called for. When asked if he wished to make his confession the saintly priest by a decisive nod of his head revealed that he was really prepared for the end. He received the Holy Viaticum and the lapsed into a coma.

Fr. Agnelo's soul winged its flight to heaven the next day the 20th of November on the feast of the Sacred Heart. He had already during his life expressed a desire to die on the feast of the Sacred Heart and the Lord had heard his prayer.

The funeral was solemn but what impressed all most was the vast crowd that attended it. People gathered from distant corners of Goa to pay their last tributes to the sainty priest. Everyone felt that a saint had passed away. The parish priest of Rachol who conducted the last rites said after the funeral ' I have just laid a saint to rest '.

Photo Gallery

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The house where Fr. Agnel was born

The actual bedroom where Fr. Agnel was born. The house is presently occupied by his close relatives but the room is left unused. An orotory in the room has also been preserved in its grandeur in front of which Fr. Agnelo, his parents and siblings said their daily prayers.

A birds eye view of the Pilar complex. On the left is the Pilar Generalate, on the right is the Pilar ITI and the Monastery is in the centre. In the foreground one can see a part of the magnificient gardens (curiously shaped like a heart - maybe in honour of the Sacred Heart of Jesus)

An archive photograph (taken by Souza & Paul) of the Pilar Monastery: Founded in 1613 by the Retormad Franciscans it was here that they established the school of science, art and theology. When in 1835 the Portuguese Government ordered that all institutions be shut down the Monastery remained uninhabited for many years. In the year 1854 the Portuguese Governor permitted some Carmelite Diskals to inhabit the place. It was only in 1888 after the death of the last Carmelite, the convent became the abode of the Missionaries of Saint Francis Xavier.

Present day view of the Monastery.

Statue of Lady of Pilar: The main altar of the church of the Monastery is dedicated to Our Lady of Pilar. It is said that Our Lady appeared to St. Tiago the Apostle on a pillar in the town of Saragoca in Spain. She is the Patroness of the Monastery and the church and hence the name Pilar.

Statue of St. Francis Xavier: The Patron of the Goan populi shares the main altar of the church of the Monastery with Our Lady of Pilar. He is also the Patron of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier who have their headquarters in Pilar.

A chapel at the Pilar Seminary - one of the only chapels in Goa to have a stained glass window. It is in this chapel that the ordination of most of the priests of the order of St. Francis Xavier is held.

Archival photo of the First Professed members of the Society of St. Francis Xavier. Standing on the far left is Fr. Agnelo D'Souza.

Another archival photo shows Fr. Agnelo sitting on the far left.

The Rachol Seminary and Church where Fr. Agnelo spent the last ten years of his life s a Spiritual Director.

A corridor in the Rachol Seminary. In the foreground on the left is seen an antique 'palkhi' (pallenquin) that was used in the olden days.

The actual bed in a room art the Rachol Seminary where Fr.Agnelo breathed his last.

The pulpit from where Fr. Agnel delivered his last sermon on 19th November 1927. The effort proved fatal.

The Rachol Cemetry where Fr. Agnel was buried. 73 years later people still visit his grave. His remains were later transferred and entombed at the Pilar Monastery on 10th January 1939.

The gravestone at the Rachol Seminary.

The tomb of Fr. Agnelo at the Pilar Monastery. Though he never sought recognition and honours he is known all over the world as a powerful intercessor before God who secures all kinds of favours.

People pray near the tomb of Fr. Agnelo. Pilar has now become a famous prayer and piligrimage centre where people of all religions from Goa and even abroad congregate to invoke Fr. Agnelo's blessings. The number of reported favours listed is well nigh 1,00,000. With the figure increasing as new reports pour in everyday. Vauvraddeancho Ixtt (The Workers Friend) and and English monthly Fr. Agnelo's Call regularly bring out more favours attributed to the intercession of Venerable Fr. Agnelo

A painting at the Pilar Monastery shows Fr. Agnelo helping a poor man financially to marry off his daughter.

Antique candle stands in the a museum at the Pilar Seminary.

 An antique oratory with the statue of St. Anthony of Padua stands conserved at the Pilar Seminary museum in mute testimony of the faith of Goenkar in this Portuguese saint. It is high time that we have a Goan saint.

Special Thanks to Fr. Sergio Mascarenhas, the editor
of Vavradeancho Ixxt, ex-Vice Postulator for the Cause
of Fr. Agnel, for his invaluable help and
contribution.

Photos & Article By William Rodrigues
Input & Services By Cecil Pinto
Presented by Goa-World Team
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