TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Parents need discipline, education and devotedness to bring up children, stated Derek Fernandes, Bishop of Karwar, during the 86th death anniversary of Venerable Father Agnelo de Souza held at Pilar on Wednesday.
Acknowledging the good virtues of the parents of Ven Agnelo, Bishop Derek Fernandes stated that Fr Agnelo’s father was a disciplinarian and mother was educated, devoted to bring up their children with the fear of God and love for others.
“Your duty does not stop after your children reach the age of 15, but continue even when your children are 60 or 80 years old. When they falter, you have the obligation to correct your children,” said Bishop Fernandes, while referring to increasing divorce rates in India.
Bishop Fernandes stated that Ven Agnelo never showed any signs that he was great. “He lived the life of the beatitudes. There was no extra shirt after his death to dress him up for the burial. This shows that he lived poor. He lived a fugal life, eating very little. He knew what it meant to suffer with sickness, as he with self-sacrifice fought the weak health,” he said. Fr Hilario Fernandes, the Vice-Postulator for the cause of sainthood, stated that Ven Agnelo was a man of deep faith and through his life of loving service shared his faith to the people around him.
Rev Mathew Vaniakizhakel, Bishop of Satna, Madhya Pradesh, Fr Francis Carvalho, Superior General of Society of Pilar and Fr Jose Vas, the Rector of Pilar Monastery were present for the celebration.
Earlier during the novena days, a Bible diary, ‘Amchea Panvlank Uzvadd’ daily readings and reflections in Konknni, was released by Fr Anselmo De Souza, Rector of Pilar Theological College. A biography on the life of Fr Agnelo in English ‘A True Man of God, Venerable Fr Agnelo De Souza’, was released.
