TIME TO REJOICE
Rev. Deacon George Dias from Mudd’davaddi, Saligao will be conferred
priestly ordination on 28th October ,2003, at 4.00 p.m. by his Grace, Most Rev. Raul
Nicolau Gonsalves, Archbishop-Patriarch ,at Mae de Deus Church, Saligao. His motto is
“ TUJEA HATANT MHOJI SEVA” ( I PLACE MY SERVICE INTO YOUR HANDS). He is
the first priest of the new millennium among the Diocesan Priests of the village of
Saligao and will be ordained after a gap of almost 34 years, the last one ordained in
1970 (among the diocesan priest of Saligao) being the author of these lines along with
Fr. Armando de Souza from Nig-vaddo. It’s indeed a time to rejoice.
Son of late Mr. Joaquim Dias from Ponda /Saligao and of Maria Antonetta Dias also
from Ponda/Saligao.and were married in St. Anne’s Church, Ponda. They lived a
modest life at Saligao and upheld christian values which they tried to inculcate in
the minds and hearts of their children. Paternal Grand-son of Sebastiao Dias (from
Ponda) and of Carmelina Fernandes and Maternal Grand-son of Antonio Gomes(from Ponda)
and of Lourencia Ana Maria Coelho. His God-parents were George D’Costa and
Margarida Rodrigues both from Saligao. The minister was Rev. Fr. Roberto Barretto, the
then parish priest of Saligao.
George was born in the Health Centre , at Candolim, on 1st May, 1975 and baptized in
Mae de Deus Church, Saligao on 25th May, 1975. He received the Sacrament of
Confirmation in Pilerne Church on August 19, 1989. They are six brothers and one
sister namely Agostinho, late Menino, Rosario, Jose, Simao, Melina and George, the
Benjamin of the Dias’ clan. St. Anthony of Lisbon/Padua is the patron saint of
their household. Received the other Sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion in
Saligao Church.
George began his primary education in Lourdes Convent,High School, Saligao and
joined Saligao Seminary in June 1988. He attributes his vocation to the priesthood to
Sister Adelaide Pais, F.M.C.K.( then at Saligao) one among others who will be carrying
the offertory gifts at his ordination Mass.
After having concluded his Humanity Course through Saligao Seminary in 1993 he joined
subsequently the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol and finished his philosophical and
theological courses in 2003. He is B.A. in Psychology through St. Xavier’s
College, Mapusa, Bardez, Goa.
When he was doing college studies he did his first year regency at Cortalim. The
second year he spent six months in each of these parishes, namely Penha de Franca and
Siolim. In his third year he gave services at Carona Chapel., Aldona. During holidays
he was at the disposition of the parish priest of Saligao.
Minor ministries of Acolyte and Lector were conferred on him at Rachol Seminary, by
His Grace D. Raul N. Gonsalves- Archbishop Patriarch ,in July, 2001. Ordained Deacon
by the same Prelate at Rachol Seminary Church on 20th October, 2002, he did his deacon
ministry at Our Lady Mother of the Poor, Tilamola, for a considerable period. ` He
loved to work there’ said Rev. George.
A member of Santa Cecilia’s choir at Rachol Seminary and editor of “ New
Leaven” a review of Rachol Seminary for private circulation and member of the
editorial Board of “ Luceas”, the Annual Magazine of the same Institution
in 2003 , George enjoyed writing on various topics. He was the member of the Rachol
Seminary foot-ball team and has also played for Saligao teams during holidays.
At the Synod of Goa held in Old Goa from 17th to 23rd February, 2002, Brother George
was the representative of the Diocesan Seminarians.
He had a brilliant academic career and took part in the functions and dramas held on
the Seminary Day .and is a violinist, pianist and guitarist, good orator and
versatile singer.
He is slim with black penetrative eyes, a ready smile, stands 5 feet 5 inches and
very friendly and jovial. We all wish him fruitful years in the Pastoral ministry in
the parish where he is yet to be nominated.
I thank Deacon George Dias for the information given to me to write this bio-graphical
data. He is one of the 14 candidates to the priesthood of Rachol Seminary this year
.A BIG GOD BLESS AND “ PORBIM”
Fr. Nascimento Mascarenhas
