PANAJI
He was delivering the homily at the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration in Pilar to mark the 95th Death Anniversary of Venerable Agnelo D’Souza, a saintly member of the Society of Pilar, which was celebrated with great fervour and devotion.
“Agnelo was a saint in a hurry. Just as Jesus went out preaching the Good News of God hurriedly, so too was Agnelo, who followed in the footsteps of Jesus with a sense of urgency,” said Bishop Dias.
He further said that Agnelo was raised with good values by his parents Miguel and Simforosa.
This year, the death anniversary was celebrated a day earlier on November 19, as it coincided with the solemnity of Christ the King, celebrated on November 20.
Thousands flocked to Pilar during the last nine days to seek the blessings of this saintly son of the soil and renew their spiritual life.
MIRACLE
Speaking on the occasion, Fr Nazareth Fernandes, SFX, Superior General of the Society of Pilar, said devotees are eagerly praying for the beatification of Venerable Agnelo, and often inquire about the process of his beatification, asking when would the Church declare him a saint.
Fr Fernandes explained that it is difficult to answer the question as the process of beatification is lengthy and rigorous.
“Last year, a miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Agnelo was sent to Rome and the process of this case has begun,” said Fr Fernandes.
He further said Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, has communicated about the acceptance of the case by the Congregation and was opened for study on November 3, 2021.
Fr Fernandes informed that Fr Antonio Marrazzo, a Redemptorist priest who has been appointed as postulator by the Society of Pilar to handle the process of canonisation of Venerable Agnelo by the Society of Pilar, has urged devotees to pray unceasingly during this period.
At the end of the Eucharist, Fr Anthony Joseph Fernandes, the Central Delegate Superior, thanked all devotees and collaborators, government officials, MLAs and ministers, who rendered their services and cooperation and made the celebration a meaningful one.
LIFE
Venerable Agnelo D’Souza was born in Anjuna on January 21, 1869. He was ordained a priest in 1898 and served in Pilar, Shiroda, Sanvordem and Kumta. He was appointed as a resident Spiritual Director of the Seminary of Rachol, where he served for over nine years, till his death. Fr Agnelo died at dawn on November 20, 1927.
