Fr Simon Rico Fernandes has his way with words, whether you are
listening to his homily in a church with pin drop silence or reading through
the pages of his books. Written with such grace and poetic expression, his
literature is educating and inspiring. It’s no wonder that his new book,
‘Sheltering Wings’, as he explains, is a comprehension of his mind and more
poetic than reality. The book will be released on December 19, at Silver Bells,
Sangolda at 4 pm by the chief guest, senior advocate, Yves Zuzarte, in the
presence of Fr Waldheim D’Costa Rodrigues, Provincial of Goa, St Anthony
Province, Vincy Quadros, president of Dalgado Konkani Academy and Fr Mousinho
de Ataide, who will be the main speaker that evening. December 19 is also the
day Fr Simon Rico was ordained as a priest in 1976.
‘Sheltering Wings’ is Fr Simon Rico’s testimony right from his
birth to his life as a priest, first studying and then serving in different
parts of the world. God works in amazing ways and this is more visible in his
life. Losing his mother when he was just one and a half years old, he accepted
Mother Mary as his mother which became a turning point in his childhood.
Strengthened in faith by his father, Anthony, he was greatly supported by his
siblings, Margarida, Albina and Paulo, who lives in their ancestral home in
Socorro.
“This book is a
distant echo of the spirituality of Psalm 91, which highlights the assurance of
God’s protection. This book is very interesting for those who can surrender to
God, like Devachim Koutik Vizmitam. It is a canopy 75 years of God’s continuous
protection. It shows how a faith oriented shepherd travelled to different parts
of the world. It is a song of gratitude for protection that will motivate even
a simple man to praise God,” says Fr Simon Rico.
The book is printed
by Ed’s Printers and published by Broadway Publishers and has a preface written
by Fr Henry Falcao. The cover design and layout is by Willy Goes and Sagar
Gaude has done a wonderful job of illustrating the emotions expressed in the
text.
Beginning
with ‘50 Jivitantlim Xirputtam,’ Fr Simon Rico has written 21 books, almost an
equal number in Konkani and English. “My treasures are my books. I have lots of
literature. Sometimes, I wrote even two poems per day. In Konkani, I focus more
on poetry and I try to publish at least one book per year in any of the two
languages,” says Fr Simon Rico, who calls St Francis of Assis as his patron
saint. The book will be available at Broadway Bookstore, Panjim and on online
portals too.
