======================================================================== Goa's phone numbers change from Nov 10, 2002. Prefix old number with a 2. New numbers will be seven-digit 2XXXXXX (where XXXXXX is the old number). ========================================================================
SIMPLICITY, THE GIFT FROM THE PRIEST FROM ANJUNA, EN ROUTE TO SAINTHOOD PANJIM (Goa), Nov 10: In the thousands they walk every Thursday upto the every hillock in Pilar village, some 10 kms from here out of devotion to Goa's saint-in-the-making Fr Agnelo. This year, there's a round of special events to mark the 75th death anniversary of a religious figure remembered for his "saintliness in simplicity". "Fr. Agnelo" was born in the coastal village of Anjuna in 1869, a place now better known as a tourist destination. A typical Goan boy, he grew up and joined Goa's Rachol Seminary. He later joined the Society of Pilar, which is also based in this small state. "His saintliness was infectious and compelling. Spontaneously people recognized something special in him: he was a true witness of the gospel and had lived strictly according to the Good News. Groups of people started gathering around his grave-side to pray through his intercessions. He was being recognised as a saint," says Dr. Seby Mascarenhas of the Pilar Seminary. But he was a man who had literally not built a building, started a congregation, done path-breaking social work. "Yet despite all this, he was being hailed and recognised as saintly. There was an inner radiance and emanation that attracted people to him for nothing but his spiritual warmth and simplicity. If mere simplicity and humility can attract, what better proof need there be to be declared 'a man of God', 'a sant' or 'a bhakt' (Indian terms for religious person)?" comments Dr Mascarenhas. His remains are kept in Pilar. Fr. Agnelo de Souza was born in the tiny idyllic village of Anjuna in 1869. His ancestral house is still located there. Says Anjuna parish priest Fr Ubaldo Fernandes: "Anjuna has produced many great personalities and is proud of them. But it is graced to have a man of grace coming from among them and the platinum jubilee of his death coincides with the four hundred year celebration of Anjuna Church." Priests from his Pilar Society say Agnelo was compassion and patience personified. "Any one could come to his doorstep for help and he always had a ready ear, a great example for every priest. When it happened that people mistrusted him for no reason at all he kept his cool and took everything in his stride. The flabbergasted accusers spontaneously apologized to Agnelo. His contemporaries have reported time and again of the calming effect Agnelo had on all around him," says Dr Mascarenhas. For the last 50 years, the process of Fr. Agnelo's possible sainthood has been underway. Fr. Hilario Fernandes, the Vice Postulator of the process said: "Many people trust that God will intercede through Fr. Agnelo. In fact so many come and tell me of the various gifts they have received. More than anything else however, the people find a soothing presence and calming atmosphere at the feet of Fr. Agnelo." (ENDS) "His was a simple life, full of compassion and concern. Anecdotes from his life show how he lived with the poor. He was a powerful preacher. Most of all his simplicity and humanness attracted all peoples to him for advice," says priest Hilario Fernandes, who is vice postulator for the Cause of Fr. Agnelo. "When he died, people spontaneously acclaimed him as a holy person and started praying through his inter-cession. There are groups of people in France, England, USA, Canada, Middle East etc (among expat communities) who have the devotion to Fr. Agnelo," said Fernandes. This faith prompted Rome to begin the process of beatification: an official recognition of the holiness of a person. Fr. Agnelo is now called Venerable. The next step would be to call him Blessed and the final step is to declare him a Saint. This year's programme is being launched on November 10, at 4.00 p.m with a Mass, followed by a cultural programme presented by children from areas where the "Pilar Fathers" -- as they are known -- work. There will ten days of prayers from November 11 to 19, followed by the celebration of the day of his death on November 20. The High Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Ranjit from the Vatican Curia. The celebrations during the year will include the release of a couple of books on Venerable Angelo, and an opera to be led by priest-musician Peter Cardozo. (ENDS) ---------------------------------------------------------- What's On In Goa (WOIG): Nov 06 Children's book exhibn opens, Walkabout, Anjuna... (all weekdays) Nov 06 ArtHouse, Calangute: Chaitali's acrylics on canvas till 19.11 Nov 07 Revision of electoral rolls (till Nov 30) See schedule. Nov 07 Creative science, for children, Goa Sc Centre (till 16.11) Nov 10 Corporate summit on IT and biotechnology, Intl Centre (till 11.11) Nov 17 Goan Engineers and Assoc meet, at Pickering, Canada. Nov 20 Fr Agnelo's 75th death anniversary, Pilar Dec 01 Two day conference, Goa Agenda. IT For Society. (Ends 2.12) Every Sunday: Music therapy sessions at Moira, 5 pm. 278, N.Portugal ----------------------------------------------------------
