By Feroz Fernandes
July 17 is a red letter day for the Pilar Monastery as it completes 400 years. Built in 1613, Pilar Monastery has had a fascinating story over the past four centuries.
The Spanish missionaries of Reformed Franciscan Recollects (Capuchos) of the Custody of the Mother of built the Pilar Monastery in 1613. Later in 1633, a University of Science, Arts and Theology, based on European system of education was established in the precincts of the Pilar Monastery.
The vibrant religious favour faded in 1835, when the religious orders were banned in Goa, the monks from the monastery had to leave for Europe. In 1854, eleven Goan Friars of the suppressed Order of Discalced Carmelites of Chimbel obtained permission from the government to reside in the deteriorating monastery. But the Carmelite monks were not allowed to admit any more members.
Unable to bear the maintenance expenses, the Government had twice ordered the demolition of the Pilar Monastery and the stones to be used by the Public Works Department for the road going from Panjim to Agasaim.
As the other Carmelite monks died, only one monk Fr Cirilo da Anunciacao was left in the Monastery. A newly ordained priest at Rachol, Fr Aurelio Agostinho Terrath from Cochin, was then appointed to give company to the lone Carmelite Friar. Fr Cirilo died on October 22, 1887 and was buried in the Pilar Monastery.
The Archbishop of Goa then requested the Government to allow the Pilar Monastery to be used as his summer residence from 1878. In 1890, Archbishop Patriarch Dom Valente gave the abandoned Pilar Monastery to Fr Bento Martins, the founder of the present Pilar Soceity, and his companions in return for a dedicated service in the remote areas of Goa. The Pilar Fathers was a spontaneous name, ‘Pilache Padri’, fathers from Pilar Monastery who have reached out in service to the people of Goa.
