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Udupi : The 97^th death anniversary of Venerable Fr Agnelo D’Souza was observed at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese here on Monday, November 18, 2024.

The Solemn Eucharistic mass was con-celebrated by Rev Fr. Cyril Lobo, Anugraha, Diocesan Pastoral Center, Kakkunje along with Very Rev Mngr. Ferdinand Gonsalves, Vicar General of Udupi diocese and Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, Very Rev Fr. Manoj Furtado, Superior and Director of Pilar Fathers Minor Seminary, Kallianpur, Rev Fr. Parel Fernandes Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur deanery priests, Milar Homes resident priests and guest priests.

In his homily, Fr Cyril Lobo dominated on the importance of the Holy Bible and the word of God. The Holy Bible is a miracle. Those who love God, all nature obey them. Fr. Agnelo obeyed nature with loving God. He said that all Christians are called to be saints. Saints are therefore persons in heaven officially canonized or not who lived heroically virtuous lives, offered their life for others, or were martyred for the faith and who are worthy of limitation. Moreover, a saint is not merely a believer, but one who has been transformed by virtue.

At the end of the mass, Fr. Manoj Furtado gave gratitude to the main celebrant of the mass and all the priests who participated during the Eucharistic celebration and he gave gratitude to all concerned. He also conducted a brief prayer on Venerable Fr. Agnelo D’Souza. He also read out the one petition received by the faithful of Goa from Ven. Agnelo.

Followed by the mass, a get together of large faithful of Fr. Agnelo, parents of seminarians, well-wishers, donors and guests was for a cultural program held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall, Kallianpur for the 97^th Death Anniversary of Venerable Fr. Agnelo D’Souza.

The cultural programme began with flowers being welcomed to guests by tossing the flower leaves and later Milagres English Medium Students performed the prayer dance beautifully. Fr. Manoj welcomed the gathering and gave an introduction address on Venerable Fr Agnelo with slides.

Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, Rector presided over the programme. Rev Fr. Pradeep Cardoza, Asst. parish priest, Rev Dr. Jencil Alva resident priest, Very Rev Fr. Manoj Furtado, Rev Fr. Parel Fernandes and Eugene Rebello Secretary of Parish Pastoral Council were present on the dais.

Fr. Pradeep Cardoza briefed on the process of becoming a Saint. Prior to being declared a saint by the Pope, there are three steps, namely Venerable, Blessed and Canonization. He briefed on the character of Venerable Fr. Agnelo Dsouza.

During the occasion, members of ICYM, Milagres unit sang a beautiful song and later played musical instruments by Holy Cross Seminarians, Katpady.

Various spot games were conducted by Prema Lewis, anchor of the programme and later distributed prizes for the winners of the games by Fr. Ferdinand Gonsalves.

At the end, Fr. Paral Fernandes delivered a vote of thanks. The programme was winded up with gracing prayer on meal by Fr. Oliver Nazareth, Asst parish priest of Mount Rosary Church. The whole programme was compared by Prema Lewis, Coordinator of parish pastoral commissions.