Dolcy D’Cruz
Fr Filipe Neri Mendes’ influence on society extended far beyond the roles he formally held, touching lives in quiet yet enduring ways. A professed member of the Society of St Francis Xavier, Pilar, and a native of Cavelossim, he passed away on April 22 due to a lung infection, leaving behind a deep sense of sorrow among all who knew, loved, and cared for him.
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Son of Jose Xavier Mendes and Doroteia Petomila Afonso, he was born on May 26, 1936. Fr Filipe made his final profession on June 16, 1964, and was ordained a priest on December 19, 1965 by Bishop José Colaço. Over the years, he served the Society in many capacities as Director of the Orphanage at Bandstand, Bandra (Mumbai); Prefect of Discipline and later Rector of Fr Agnelo Minor Seminary; Pre-Novice Master; Spiritual Director; Parish Priest of Holy Cross Church, Juhu (Mumbai); and Vice Principal of Holy Cross High School, Juhu. Fr Filipe Neri began to teach music in 1978.
Beloved Tio-Padre to his nephews and nieces, he influenced their life in more than just one way. Nephew of Fr Neri, Rev Dr Socorro Mendes, parish priest, St Anthony’s Parish Church, Siolim, describes him as a serene, silent priest who became for many and especially for him a genuine model of Sanctity. “Whenever he came for holidays at home, as a young boy, I would see him with his prayer Book (Breviary) reciting prayers at different timings of the day and evening. Secondly, he had another violin at home, and he would play violin and exercise his talent in music. His famous musical operas and operettas were depicting various Biblical scenes. He taught his Seminarians with great enthusiasm and determination. He encouraged them to learn and write music, especially notations. He would train them as effective singers and would do this training them for voice modulation, as he himself had a melodious voice. He had one single dream to make them the best musicians in the world,” reminisces Rev Dr Socorro.
He further adds, “Another dream was to inculcate the talent of playing football. Even at the age of 80, he descended on the ground and played with the priests. At one time, more than a decade ago, Pilar Seminarians and Rachol Seminarians had a friendly match and both as competitors remained anxious as to which side would win the match. A challenge was put before the Rachol Seminarians on their home ground and Neri motivated the Pilar Seminarians that they display there talents and win the game. And the Pilarites won the match. For Neri, that was a great triumph as in the past several times Racholites would win.”
Rema Fernandes, from Malware, Agassaim has known Fr Neri for the last 25 years. Even in his last few months whenever she visited him, his kindness and faith stayed with her, “I thank Fr Neri for teaching my daughter with such patience and love and for being a constant presence in our family life, especially when my husband was ill. His visit and prayers brought us such comfort. For me, he is a living saint. Rest in God’s peace,” says Rema.
Melanie Fernandes had the privilege of working at the Pilar Monastery, a place where many elderly and ailing fathers reside, felt like home. That sense of belonging was deeply shaped by all priests but there was one extraordinary soul, Fr Neri. “He had a gentle habit of stopping by the office, not for any formal reason, but simply to sit and talk. Through his words, I learned so much about Jesus and the beauty of Christian living. His presence brought comfort, his words brought guidance, and his care made me feel truly seen. He was more than a priest, he was a source of light and compassion in my everyday life. Now that he is gone, I miss him deeply. His absence is felt in the silence he has left behind, but his teachings, his kindness, and his love will always remain with me,” says Melanie with a heavy heart.
In recognition of his contributions, he was conferred the Kala Gaurav Puraskar in the field of music by the Directorate of Art & Culture, Government of Goa for the year 2013-14. He received several awards from the Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim, and the Society of Pilar. His life remains a testament to faith, service, and dedication, and he will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.
