Fr Freddy J. Da Costa: A Prophet Who Awakened Goa’s Conscience

Br Malvino Alfonso OCD –

Today (20^th July) we in Goa, commemorate the 72nd birth anniversary of founder-editor of GULAB, a konkani monthly, Fr Freddy J. Da Costa. We pause to reflect on the man who gave GULAB not only its name, but its soul. He was more than a priest or journalist — he was a prophetic voice, a cultural awakener, and a passionate advocate for Goa’s conscience. Through his pen, his pulpit, and his stage, he touched hearts and stirred minds, always urging Goans to live with purpose, pride, and responsibility.

A Writer Rooted in Reality and Reverence

Fr Freddy’s editorial legacy in GULAB, the monthly Romi Konkani magazine he founded in 1983, was not simply about putting words on paper. It was about carving a conscience for Goans. His editorials, later compiled into the compelling book ‘Utth Goenkara (Awake Goan), carried a recurring cry — “Awake, O Goan!” — urging readers to rediscover their language, dignity, and duty. With a pen dipped in love and concern, he addressed the erosion of values, environmental degradation, political apathy, and the slow marginalization of the Konkani language. For him, journalism was never neutral; it was a mission field — one where truth and justice were the ink and paper of pastoral care.

Champion of Konkani and Goan Identity

Fr Freddy’s unwavering devotion to Konkani was not a nostalgic indulgence but a theological and cultural necessity. He believed that language was the soul of a people, and to abandon Konkani was to lose a sacred thread of Goan identity. His writings constantly emphasized the need to protect and promote Romi Konkani — both in liturgy and public life. He viewed Konkani not just as a mother tongue, but as a moral compass, a medium to convey values, identity, and solidarity.

Through GULAB and GOENCHO AVAZ (daily/fortnightly/yearly), the created a platform where the ordinary Goan’s voice mattered — youth, writers, tiatrists, and social activists all found space under his editorial guidance. The magazine became a forum of hope, where the joys and struggles of everyday Goans could be seen, heard, and celebrated.

A Pastor with a Pen

While many knew him for his bold writing, fewer realize how deeply his pastoral experience shaped his worldview. His book ‘Jivitachim 50 Vorsam’ (50 Years of Life) opens a window into his service in Goan parishes. In this autobiographical reflection, he shares how pastoral work informed his understanding of the social and spiritual wounds of Goan society — alcoholism, unemployment, broken families, and lost youth.

He was a priest who walked with his people — not just at the altar, but in their struggles and celebrations, often using his literary and journalistic voice to amplify the cry of the poor and voiceless.

Tiatrist and Social Prophet

Fr Freddy was also a tiatrist, a rare blend of dramatist and prophet. He used this uniquely Goan form of theatre to awaken social consciousness. His tiatrs were not entertainment alone; they were dramatic catechesis, confronting issues like corruption, migration, environmental degradation, and cultural alienation. He believed the stage could evangelize as powerfully as the pulpit — if not more.

His works showed that to be Goan is not merely to dance and feast, but to discern and act — with responsibility and courage.

A Vision That Still Speaks

Today, in a rapidly changing Goa, Fr Freddy’s voice is more relevant than ever. He envisioned a Goa where: Faith and culture are deeply rooted and inseparable; Konkani is not sidelined, but elevated in liturgy, education, and media; Youth are formed in values and awakened to their responsibility; Art and journalism serve not just truth, but justice; Goans awaken from cultural slumber to protect their identity and environment. In short, Fr Freddy called for a spiritually vibrant, culturally proud, and socially responsible Goa.

A Legacy in Print: New Age Printers

Fr Freddy’s vision was not confined to the pulpit or the page — it also materialized in the form of infrastructure for communication and education. He founded New Age Printers, a printing press that would go on to serve Goa with distinction. Now 25 years old and managed by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, New Age Printers continues to uphold his ideals of professionalism, responsibility, and service.

Today, it offers a wide range of printing services — from books and magazines to invitations and educational material — with a growing reputation for quality and timely delivery.

The Rose That Still Blooms

The title of his magazine, GULAB — rose — is fitting. Roses don’t just decorate; they speak. They speak of love, beauty, and at times, thorns. Fr Freddy offered Goa a bouquet — sometimes soft, sometimes sharp — but always truthful. His writings, plays, and priesthood remain a lasting fragrance in Goan life, reminding us that awakening is not a one-time act, but a daily calling.

On this birth anniversary, may his legacy continue to challenge us, inspire us, and move us to become the awakened Goans he dreamt of — rooted in faith, committed to justice, and ever proud of our language and land.