Fr. Elvis Fernandes, sfx –
The 95th Death Anniversary of Venerable Agnelo D’Souza, a saintly member of the Society of Pilar, was celebrated with great fervour and devotion recently. Agnelo was born in Anjuna on the 21st of January 1869. He was ordained a priest in 1898 and served in Pilar, Shiroda, Sanvordem and Kumta. He was appointed as a resident Spiritual Director of the Seminary of Rachol, where he served for over 9 years, till his death. Fr. Agnelo died at dawn on 20th November 1927.
This year, the death anniversary was celebrated on the 19th November, a day earlier, as it coincided with the solemnity of Christ the King, celebrated on 20th of November. Thousands flocked to Pilar during the last nine days to seek the blessings of this saintly son of the Soil and renew their spiritual life.
The Solemn Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Most Rev. Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of the diocese of Port Blair. In his homily, the prelate said that “Agnelo was a saint in a hurry”. He went on to explain that, just as Jesus went out preaching the Good News of God hurriedly, so too was Agnelo, who followed in the footsteps of Jesus with a sense of urgency. He further said that Agnelo was raised with good values by his parents Miguel and Simforosa. Agnelo was a man of prayer; a lover of the Word of God, a caring and compassionate person.
Speaking on the occasion, Rev. Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, sfx, the Superior General of the Society of Pilar, said that the devotees are eagerly praying for the beatification of Venerable Agnelo, and often inquire about the process of his beatification, asking when would the Church declare him a saint. Fr. Fernandes, expressed, saying that, it is difficult to answer this question, as the process of beatification is lengthy and rigorous.
Fr. Fernandes, informed that last year a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Agnelo was sent to Rome and the process of this case has begun. He further said that Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, has communicated about the acceptance of the case by the Congregation and was opened for study on the 3rd of November 2021. He further informed that Rev. Fr Antonio Marrazzo, a Redemptorist priest, who has been appointed as postulator by the Society of Pilar, to handle the process of canonisation of Venerable Agnelo, by the Society of Pilar, has urged the devotees to pray unceasingly during this period.
Later, Fr. Fernandes, thanked Bishop Alex Dias, the presider of the Eucharist, for his availability even after being told at the last moment, since Bishop Alwyn Barreto, who was supposed to preside, was unable due to ill health.
At the end of the Eucharist, Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph Fernandes, the Central Delegate Superior, thanked all the devotees and collaborators, especially, the Government officials, MLA’s and Ministers, who rendered their services and cooperation and made the celebration a meaningful one.
Fr. Elvis Fernandes, sfx is a Counselling Psychologist (Clinical), PhD, Editor, Fr. Agnel’s Call – a mission and youth magazine and also the Convener of Sadbhav – an Interfaith Initiative besides being the Secretary, Pilar Media, Goa.