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History of Donvaddo---IV. *The Seminary of our Lady : On the hillock of Donvaddo stands the majestic Seminary for the preparatory course of priestly formation of the Diocesan Clergy under the patronage of Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima, blessed on 6th December, 1952, by His Eminence Cardinal Manuel Gonsalves Cerejeira( Patriarch of Lisbon and Legate ‘ a latera’ of his Holiness Pope Pius XII for the exposition of St. Francis Xavier), together with its chapel. The statue of Our Lady of Fatima was offered by Mr. Dominic Pereira from Donvaddo who was the Portuguese Consul in Calcutta, on December 6, 1953, and is now a public chapel since February 27, 1954. *The School: The Portuguese, besides being religious conquerors, were also instrumental in the 3 R’s. And Donvaddo can be proud of having a school---Bittugelem Iskol---wherein the ‘Primeiro and Segundo Tomo’ were taught by Beatrice Moniz, daughter of Claudio Moniz. To study the ‘Terceiro Tomo’ the students went to Mudd’davaddi. There are other areas in which Donvadkars have carved a niche for themselves in the annals of the history of Saligao. Going down memory lane, we come across Mr. Jose Vaz commonly known as Bibi, who can be called the first choir master of St. Ann’s chapel. In addition to imparting instruction in sight reading, and other religious hymns, he taught the three R,s to whomever did so much to approach him. One cannot forget the untiring work rendered by Mr. Pedrinho D’Souza who was a watch/clock repairer, an expert book binder and a pioneer in typing classes, all rolled into one. Such was his fame in the typing field that besides the youth of the village, youth from the neighbouring villages flocked to his house to master the art of typing. Dare anyone forget Mr. Patricio Vaz, affectionately know as Patru. From the organization of Sunday Liturgy or the annual St. Anne’s feast, to giving final touches to the funerals of the dear departed, to using his influence in matters of social, religious and even governmental, Patru was always in the forefront. The fantastic annual dances on the occasion of the Church Feast, the football matches he officiated as referee can never be forgotten. He served as a sacristan in the Saligao Church and later migrated to Bombay in search of greener pastures. But Saligao beckoned him lovingly and insistently. He returned and set up his own bar, titled ‘Casa Vaz e Irmaos’on the saligao-betim road at Cotula, which was very successful till 1961. Patru is also credited to have saved a woman from drowning endangering both health and life and that too in the dead of the night. Mr. Philipe de Souza( Saiba) was one of the first Saligaokar to visit Rome( Holy City) on a pilgrimage in 1932 and had an audience with the Pope. He shared his experience with the folks helping them to be always united with the Vicar of Christ on earth . When the bell of the church rang at 8 at night the Catholics in Saligao not only remembered their dead brethren but also prayed for the intentions of the Pope.……. To be continued.
Mr. Orlando Vaz, Mrs. Emmie Sequeira ,Mr. Franklin D’ Souza and Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas. |
