Fr Vasco do Rego, the great Goan crusader, Konkani stalwart and Jesuit priest, who passed away in Pune on Wednesday, was fondly known as Guruji or Pitaji among friends and followers.
Fr Vasco was truly a rarest gem in the Konkani world and a treasured gift for the Society of Jesus and Church in Goa.
Born on January 8, 1925 at Panaji to Dr Antonio Augusto do Rego and Aurora Maria Helena Correia Afonso do Rego, Fr Vasco was the grandson of Roque and Claudina Correia Afonso from Benaulim, who had seven priests among their 52 grandchildren. Fr Renato do Rego of the Goa Archdiocese was his brother.
He did his studies at Escola Massano de Amorim (Panaji), St Joseph’s High school (Arpora) and Rachol Seminary. He joined the Jesuits in Mumbai (1945) and was later sent to Belgium for further studies (1952-57). He was ordained priest there on August 15, 1955 and returned to Pune in 1957.
He served the Jesuits and the Church in Goa in several positions such as Student Counsellor of St Vincent School, Pune (1958-1963), Spiritual Father of Rachol Seminary (1963-67), Student Counsellor (1967-68) and Rector of Loyola High School, Margao (1968-73), Rector and Novice Master at Xavier Training College, Desur-Karnataka (1973-78), Director of Retreat House, Baga (1978-79), Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa (1979-95), Chaplain of Stella Maris Chapel, Miramar (1995-98), and Editor of Konkani monthly “Dor Mhoineachi Rotti” (2009-2021).
The greatest and most valuable contribution he rendered to the Church in Goa was in the fields of Liturgy in Konkani and translation and editing work of the Konkani Bible.
Translating Ordinary of the Mass canons from Latin into Konkani, he began at Belgaum at the request of Bishop of Belgaum and church authorities in Goa requested him to do the same for the archdiocese.
In Goa, the switch from Latin to Konkani needed learned, talented and dedicated persons. At this critical juncture, Fr Vasco rendered yeomen service and was among the members to translate, edit and publish the Roman Missal in Konkani as “Romi Misa-Gronth” (1981) and the Roman Missal as “Romi Vachpam-Gronth” (1983).
Fr Vasco was fluent in Portuguese Konkani and later learnt Latin, Spanish, French, some Italian and Marathi, besides a working knowledge of Greek. All these languages and his mastery over Konkani were his assets in his liturgical and biblical contributions.
With his efforts emerged the Konkani hymnal “Gaionacho Jhelo”, which is used in Goa and elsewhere by Konkani speaking Catholics. Of the 511 hymns, he contributed lyrics to 332 hymns (64.97%) and music to 52 of his own hymns. Besides, he composed lyrics (21) and music (6) to Konkani hymns on various themes.
He has written 15 Konkani poems, 10 English hymns and poems and 2 Portuguese poems. For different parts of the Mass, he also composed music. His lyrics are not only rich in Konkani language, they are also based on profound modern theology and biblical themes.
Fr Vasco was a strong protagonist of Konkani language, motivating seminarians, priests, nuns, and lay people to use Konkani for conversation.
As rector of Loyola High School, Margao, he introduced Konkani as medium of instruction at Loyola School and Fatima Convent School, Margao, despite opposition and hurdles.
His dedicated service to standardise Konkani language was recognised and he was presented the first award of Dalgado Konkani Akademi in 2005. The Art and Culture department also recognised his contribution to Konkani and selected him for the Goa State Cultural Award (2013-2014).
During his term as Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, many global figures visited the shrine, chief among them being then prime minister Indira Gandhi, then prime minister of England Margaret Thatcher, then Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, then president of Portugal Mario Soares and Pope Saint John Paul II.
While in Pune, Fr Vasco founded Ishaprema-Vinamra-Sevika (Humble Servants of God’s Love) in 1961, with the collaboration of Norberta Lobo (Mataji Nirmala). Their homes, known as Ishaprema-Niketan (Home of God’s Love), are also located in Assagao and Goa Velha.
He was one of the founders of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr (TSKK), a Jesuit institute which promotes Konkani language, literature and culture through research and other activities.
(The writer is former director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim)
