MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024
Fr Moreno de Souza was a Jesuit priest and Konkani Marian poet, Konkani translator and a historian. He was one of the translators of the Povitr Pustok (the Holy Bible) in Romi Konkani. The parishioners of St John the Baptist Church, Pilerne, will present a tribute to the great personality of Fr Moreno de Souza to celebrate his work on May 26 at St John the Baptist Church, Pilerne at 6 pm. Fr Moreno de Souza was born in Siolim, but spent most of his years in the village of Pilerne.
Born at his maternal house in Pilerne on November 3, 1923 to Maria Magdalena and Jeronimo de Souza, Moreno spent his early life in Marna, Siolim, and then Pilerne, where he studied. He was born in a family that gave several priests to the Church: two of his maternal uncles, Fr Leles de Souza and Fr Cirilo de Souza were diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Goa. Hard working and obedient, he studied at the Institute Mater Dei in Saligao. Being persuaded by Mgr Ayres Fernandes from Siolim to write in his own mother tongue, Moreno, as a boy, began writing in Konkani.
With the Lord’s inspiration and on the advice of his maternal uncle, Fr Leles de Souza, Moreno decided to become a priest and joined the Jesuit order. Fr Moreno studied for the priesthood and was ordained in Granada, Spain on July 15, 1958. He took his last vows on April 22, 1978. He completed more than 50 years of priesthood at his death.
In 1964, Fr Moreno was given charge of Dor Mhoincachi Rotti, a Konkani monthly magazine that was started by Fr Vincent Lobo in 1915 in Karachi. He edited it for around 42 years till mid- 2006. Fr Moreno wrote many hymns, books and articles, besides poetries. Many were Marian based. One of his first books was ‘Nixkollonk Gorb Sombhovlele’ on the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady. He wrote books on the history of the Churches of Goa. Fr Moreno contributed to many Konkani periodicals.
He was inspired to compose hymns in his mother tongue, Konkani. His two maternal uncles were musicians, which made him take up to composing hymns, poetries and songs easily.
On May 26, the celebration shall begin with a prayer service and a welcome note by Fr Derick Fernandes, parish priest of Pilerne, followed by a presentation of a paper on Fr Moreno de Souza by Fr Jose Silviera in the presence of Fr Bernard Cota, the chief guest for the event. Fr Bernard has given melodies to most of the hymns of the ‘Gaionnacho Jhelo’. Fr Manuel Gomes will share his experience of his collaboration with Fr Moreno.
As a tribute to Fr Moreno’s work in the field of music, one of his family member, Margaret de Souza will present a ‘manddo’ and the Pilerne Parish choir will sing the hymns that were written by him. Fr Manuel Gomes, Fr Bernard Cota and Fr Moreno De Souza’s family members will be felicitated.
