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4th Anniversary Commemoration of the Declaration of FR ALFRED ROCHE as Servant of God

‘The righteous will shine like the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father….’ (Mathew 13: 43) and we all are blessed and thanking Almighty Lord for the gift of Servant of God Fr Alfred Roche, OFM Cap. Let us hope and pray, soon he will be raised to be Blessed and Venerated and join the triumphant communion of Holy Saints…..! Rev Fr Mathias Dias OFM Cap observed, while breaking the word of God, in his well worded homily, as the large congregation gathered, on Friday, 30th August, 2024, in the Holy Family Church, Brahmmavar, to commemorate 4th Anniversary of the declaration of Fr Alfred Roche as ‘Servant of God’.

In brief, John Peter, (Fr Alfred’s Baptismal name), born as the fifth child and the third son of devout and well-known sacristan Isaac Roche and Carmine Monteiro in Moodahadu Kudru in historically known Barkur parish on, 3rd April, 1924 and baptised as Peter John, at St Peter’s Church. He had his primary education in Pandeshwar, Sastan Primary Schools and fetched his SSLC certificate from the prestigious ‘Milagres High School, Kallianpur’. Joined Capuchin’s Seminary at the age of 20, in Faraghipet in 1944. He was ordained priest on 11th April, 1951, in Kotagiri, in Nilagiri District in Tamil Nadu and started his missionary work as ‘Assistant Novice Master’ in Farangipet monastery. Fr Alfred Roche was specially handpicked by the then Bishop of Mangalore Rt. Rev Dr Basil Peris and the Provincial of Capuchins to shoulder the responsibilities as first parish priest, once this  less known infant church was handed over to the Capuchins care for special sensitive reasons with added responsibilities on 4th April, 1956.

Every month special Holy Mass, prayers are held and it’s worth a note that, the Brahmmavar Church initiated to preserve the relics (remains and possessions) associated with Fr Roche in a museum. It must be apt to remember in the above context that, after serving for almost 16 long years till 1972, he served mainly in the Diocese of Karwar and Fr Alfred returned to Brahmmavar after his retirement in 1990 and entered eternal sojourn on 31st December, 1996, and his mortal remains buried in the Cemetery over here as a very special case.

Rev Fr Santa Lopez, OFM Cap Vice Postulator of the cause, totally engaged and involved and lot of research, collection of data, evidences, miraculous cures from ailments reported and witnesses are being recorded, informed, in his brief introduction extended a warm and homely welcome to all the faithful coming from various places to participate in the Holy Mass and led the followed prayer service at the tomb of Fr Roche in the adjacent cemetery.

Lunch was served to all who gathered and prayer leaflets and other literature and Books on the life and living of Fr Alfred Roche were also distributed on this occasion, to the interested people, who were curious to know more about the holy man.