PILAR: Devotees from different walks of life thronged Pilar hillock today to celebrate 90th death anniversary of Ven Agnelo D’Souza.
The auxiliary bishop of Ranchi Diocese, Rev Theodore Mascarenhas, who was the main celebrant for the solemn Mass, exhorted the faithful to follow the exemplary life of Ven Agnelo and walk in his footsteps to assist him in attaining sainthood.
Rev Mascarenhas said, “Goan soil is blessed with holy people like St Joseph Vaz and we also have Ven Agnelo who serves as a role model and an intercessor for the faithful. Though this saintly man has still not been declared a saint, after the Church accepts a miracle, we will soon have him as a saint.”
Focusing on the theme ‘The love of Christ urges us on as Ven Agnelo did’ and reflecting on the three readings, the main celebrant said, “Prophet Jeremiah, who was called to preach and proclaim the word of God received opposition, but he did not give up. In like manner, St Paul preached the word of God out of sheer love of Christ. The same love urges us to move forward and bear witness to Christ,” he added.
“Annually devotees of Ven Agnelo gather on this holy hillock to venerate this holy man. And everyone is praying that he may be declared a saint soon. When we respect him so much, the Church asks us to grow and move forward in sharing with others in the same love of Christ,” Rev Mascarenhas said.
Rev Mascarenhas said, “It is not an easy task to live a true Christian life, especially outside Goa. But Ven Agnelo invites us to follow in his footsteps, despite stiff opposition and difficulties.”
With regards to declaring Ven Agnelo a saint, Rev Mascarenhas said, “A medical case has been found and given for study. But it is not a miracle. After the approval from doctors in Goa, the consent from doctors in Rome will help in obtaining a miracle and the declaration of sainthood.”
