Hundreds of devotees participated in religious services at St. John the Baptist Chapel in Gaumvaddi, Anjuna to mark the 145th birth anniversary of Venerable Agnelo on Wednesday, January 21, 2014. A large pandal was erected in the compound of the Chapel to accommodate the crowd. The main celebrant of the solemn mass was His Lordship Dr. Dominic Savio Fernandes (popularly known as Savio), Auxiliary Bishop of Mumbai. In his homily during the mass Bishop Fernandes described Ven Agnelo as a true disciple of God who saw the Creator in fellow human beings and was truly concerned towards them. "We are proud that Ven. Agnelo, a son of this village, has been declared Venerable and could soon become a saint", informed Bishop Fernandes. In his brief message to the people after the Eucharistic celebration, Bishop Fernandes called on the people to preserve and protect Anjuna village. "The greatest miracle will be if the whole of Anjuna lives the way Ven. Agnelo showed and lived," he said. After the Eucharistic Mass was over, he mingled with people and blessed them. Earlier, St. Michael Church Anjuna Parish Priest, Fr. Thomas Gonsalves welcomed the Bishop and the gathering. A large number of priests, including Pilar Society Superior General, Fr. Francis Carvalho, Pilar Fathers' Provincial Superior, Fr. Kyriel D'Souza, Fr. Anisio Motta from the Don Bosco Institute of Parra and other priests took part in the Eucharistic celebration. Yesterday morning, Bishop Fernandes celebrated mass in his ward (Grande Chinvar) at Piedade Saibinninchem kopel (Our Lady of Piety chapel) at 8.00 am. After the mass was over, he met each one personally and blessed them. He again assured that Anjuna people will always remain in his prayers and asked us to pray for him as well. Let us continue to pray for the beatification of Ven. Agnelo. Moi-mogan, Domnic FernandesGaumvaddi, AnjunaMob: 8805237604
