the goan I network
CORTALIM
Bishop of Kandy, Dr Vianney Fernando who along with four priests and 45 pilgrims from Sri Lanka celebrated mass in Divar Island On Tuesday, and recalled the sacrifices undertaken by Fr Gonsalves, saying he was an inspiration and rightly deserves to be honoured with sainthood of the Universal Church. “Like St Joseph Vaz, Fr Gonsalves too nourished and rekindled our faith in our island nation,” Bishop Fernando recalled, and further said he was considered as the ‘creator of Catholic culture’ in
Sri Lanka.
Gonsalves, who belongs to St Philip Oratorian Congregation and who is the only one of Asia, is also known as ‘Father of Sinhala Christian literature’. Gonsalves, born on June 8, 1676, in Divar, was buried in Bolawatte of Chilaw diocese in Sri Lanka in 1742 at the age
of 66. Earlier, in his welcome speech, Fr Jose Dias made a fervent plea to accelerate the cause for the canonisation of Fr Gonsalves who was a disciple and companion of St Joseph Vaz, and hoped that Bishop Fernando will work with the same enthusiasm for Fr Gonsalves which he had shown for St Joseph Vaz.
“Just as St Peter cannot be separated from St Paul, likewise, Fr Jacome Gonsalves too cannot be separated from St Joseph Vaz,” Fr Dias said, adding that time has come to accelerate the cause for the canonisation of Fr Gonsalves.
Divar parish priest Fr Jose Dias, former Sancoale Sanctuary rector and Rachol parish priest Fr Eremito Rebelo also participated in the concelebrated mass along with four Sri Lankan priests. School students and local residents also participated in the
Eucharistic celebration.
