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Udupi : The 96^th death anniversary of Venerable Fr. Agnelo D’Souza was observed at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur of Udupi diocese here on Saturday, November 18, 2023.

The Solemn Eucharistic Mass was con-celebrated by Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa, parish priest of St Ann Church Thottam and PRO of Udupi diocese along with Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of Milagres Cathedral, Very Rev Fr. Arwyn D’Cunha Superior and Vocational Director of Pilar Fathers, Kallianpur, Rev Fr. Nethesh D’Souza Vocational Director of Pilar Father’s Minor Seminary, Kallinapur, Deanery priests and guest priests.

In his homily by Rev Fr. Denis D’Sa said that all Christians are called to be saints. Saints are 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 generally one to whom has been attributed a high level of holiness and sanctity. A saint is therefore not merely a believer, but one who has been transformed by virtue.

Fr D’Sa said that Fr. Agnelo Adolfo de Souza was born in Anjuna village of Goa, and the Church has already declared him ‘Venerable’ in November, 1986.. He was a member of the Society of the Missionaries of St Francis Xavier. Fr. Agnelo is always regarded as a saint. On this, his remembrance Day, let’s double our prayers and pleas to our Heavenly Father to grant Fr. Agnelo the honors of Altar.

Prior to the Eucharistic Mass, Fr. Henry Machado welcomed the priests and the faithful and conducted brief prayer on Venerable Fr. Agnelo. He also readout the two petitions received recently by the faithful of Fr. Agnelo.

At the end of the mass, Fr. Nithesh D’Souza gave gratitude to all concerned, including the main celebrant of the mass, priests, choir, well-wishers and faithful of Venerable Fr. Agnelo and others were part of the celebrations. Fr. Denis D’Sa also conveyed wishes to priests of Pilar Fathers and others who participated during the mass.

Followed by the mass, a get together of large faithful of Fr. Agnelo, parents of seminarians, well-wishers and guests gathered for a cultural programme for the 96^th Death Anniversary of Venerable Fr. Agnelo De Souza was held at Milagres Tri-centenary Hall.

St Cecily’s Choir group from Salethur Church holds a beautiful prayer song. Rev Fr. Nithesh D’Souza welcomed the gathering. Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca was the chief guest.

Very Rev Fr. Valerian Mendonca, Rector of the Cathedral spoke on the mission of Fr. Agnelo and thanked the Pilar Fathers for their most valuable mission along with services for the Cathedral and the deanery as well. He also wished to get sainthood to Fr. Agnelo D’souza.

A team from Goa led by priests displayed their talents through playing instrumental music, solo singing and group singing. Meanwhile, Goa priests sang Gao Mando beautifully. Duel dance displayed by the Salethur Church youth team during the occasion.

In between, some spot games were organized by the anchor of the programme Prashanth Lewis of Mogarnad parish. Rev Fr. Roque D’Souza, parish priest of Mount Rosary distributed prizes for the winners of various games.

At the end, Fr. Arwin D’Cunha gave gratitude to all concerned for observing the 96^th Death anniversary of Venerable Fr. Agnelo De Souza. Rev Fr. Joy Andrade Asst parish priest of Milagres Cathedral graced prayers of the meal.

The programme was wound up with singing of Pilar Fathers motto song by the Pilar Father priests gathered. Asst. parish priest of Mount Rosary Fr. Nazareth and nuns from the Mount Rosary and Milagres, nuns, parents of seminarians, Milagres Cathedral invited parishioners and a large number of guests participated during the observation of Fr. Agnelo De Souza 96^th Death Anniversary. Prashanth Lewis compared the programme.