The 127-year-old society is now confident that sustained and dedicated efforts will be made by the church in Goa to promote the cause of its second pious son of the soil, Venerable Agnelo de Souza.
“We are very happy to know about the canonization of Joseph Vaz. This was long pending. At the same time, there is one more son of the soil, Fr Agnelo de Souza, whose process is on and is waiting for a miracle. I am sure the church of Goa will put in more efforts and pray with greater faith to have a second son of Goa declared blessed and then saint,” said Fr Hilario Fernandes, Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Ven. Agnelo.
What has particularly excited the Pilar father is the dual opportunity for them to pursue their cause for the canonization of Ven. Agnelo with greater vigour.
While Pope Francis reportedly bent the Vatican rules to wave off the usual requirement for a second miracle towards canonization of Blessed Vaz, he is also reported to have promised to give Asia more saints.
“I am happy that Pope Francis understands the situation of Asia and is waiving off certain requirements for the process of canonization. He also wants many saints in Asia. Therefore, we all must grab this opportunity and impress upon our Pope that we have another saintly person,” said Fr Fernandes.
“The church in Goa must work united for this cause. Fr Agnelo is not only of the Society of Pilar, but of the whole church of Goa and India. There should be interest and efforts from all sides, not only from the Pilar Society. We are trying our best. People must pray through his intercession and inform us when they receive special favours and keep all the medical documents and other reports safe,” he added.
With the canonization of Blessed Vaz now confirmed, Fr Fernandes is now hopeful that the church in Goa will come forward and put in efforts to promote the devotion to Ven. Agnelo.
“Now that we have already Joseph Vaz as saint, I would invite all our people to focus on Fr Agnelo and storm heaven for a first class miracle. They should also talk to other people who are not from Goa, but have settled in Goa.”
“Fr Agnelo has contributed a lot to the church and clergy of Goa. He preached all over Goa and strengthend the faith of Goan families. His guidance to the seminarians in the Rachol Seminary for 10 long years has formed strong Goan clergy, who in turn have helped other people.”
“So now, it is the turn of the church of Goa to come forward and put in efforts to promote this devotion and see that the second son of Goa is soon declared as blessed and then a saint,” said Fr Fernandes.
