MARGAO: Fr Nascimento Mascarenhas who passed away early morning on Sunday was a well known historian who has written quite a number of books on Goa and the Church history and was also responsible for revealing the marvel of the equinox displayed at the Holy Spirit Church, Margao.
In fact the True Values Foundation of Margao conferred upon him the Outstanding Goan Award in recognition of his services to the society in history and literature. Fr Nascimento hailed from Saligao and served at various parishes in Goa in different capacity after being ordained a priest on April 26, 1970.
While he served the parishes of Panjim, Guirim, Chinchinim, Porvorim and Mormugao churches, he was on the staff of the churches at Loutolim, Vasco, Moira and Mapusa.
His first book titled “Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom from Goa to Lisboa” was published in 2001 and since then he has been publishing regularly and some of the books published by him are Mormugao’s Rich Heritage, a paean to an Ophthalmologist Prof Dr Gama Pinto. Besides, he has written books on the parish priests of the parishes of Bardez, Salcete and Mormugao. The last book published by him was on his village of Saligao.
The marvel of the equinox at Holy Spirit Church that has become very popular now was revealed by Fr Nascimento. This is a very enchanting phenomenon when the sun rays coming from the three windows of façade hit the main altar at very significant places.
Fr Nascimento’s body which is kept in wake at the Holy Spirit Church at the moment will be laid to rest on January 9, at 4 pm at the Saligao Church.
