The long-awaited New Missal in Konkani (Romi Misa-Gronth) was officially released by Archbishop of Goa Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão during the solemn feast Mass of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa on Wednesday.
The release of the Missal in Konkani (Roman script) is a major moment for the Church in Goa. It gives the faithful a renewed, unified, and carefully reviewed liturgical text, prepared after years of study and teamwork.
The Konkani Missal in Roman script will be used in churches across Goa from Ash Wednesday. Copies will be introduced in homes and parishes during Advent and up to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.
Cardinal Ferrão praised the Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani (CLK–Goa) for their dedicated work and thanked everyone who helped prepare this important text.
THE JOURNEY
The process of revising and preparing the new Missal has been an extensive and collaborative journey across Konkani-speaking dioceses.
The first meeting of the regional representatives was held on March 26, 2010, at the Bishop’s House, Mangalore, and was chaired by Bishop Aloysius D’Souza, now Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore. The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was represented by Fr Afonso Mendonca, Fr Tomas Lobo, and the late Fr Cristovao Caldeira.
The Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani comprised the dioceses of Mangalore, Goa and Daman, Sindhudurg, Karwar, Udupi, and Belgaum. The Commission studied and presented the liturgical texts in four columns—Latin, English, present Konkani, and proposed Konkani.
To accelerate the work, two groups were formed: Group I (Goa and Daman, Sindhudurg, and Belgaum) and Group II (Mangalore, Udupi and Karwar). Portions of the Mass were divided accordingly for translation and review.
The working groups met periodically, consulted several priests proficient in Konkani and Latin, and incorporated their comments. Each refined version was presented during the Commission meetings, which took place every three months for four to five consecutive days. Even the final agreed-upon texts were circulated among more than 20 priests in Goa (Roman Script) for further feedback, leading to additional refinements.
The Goa-based members of the Commission included Fr Afonso Mendonça (Convenor), Bishop Simião Fernandes, Fr Tomas Lobo, Fr Manuel Gomes, the late Fr Cristovao Caldeira, the late Fr Almir De Souza, and the late Fr Kyriel D’Souza SFX.
The Music Committee for the Konkani Missal, tasked with unifying tunes for the entire region, included Fr Afonso Mendonca (Convenor), Fr Ronald Serrao (CLK–Mangalore), Fr Tomas Lobo (CLK–Goa), Bishop Simião Fernandes (CLK–Goa), Fr Lino De Sa, Fr Bernado Cota, Fr Matthew Rebello, Fr Joe Rodrigues, Fr Romeo Monteiro, and Fr Seby Vaz.
OTHER BOOKS
Additional books were also released on the occasion.
Auxiliary Bishop Bishop Simião Fernandes released the book ‘Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Soho-Somarombhpeanchea Upeoga Pasot’ (The Order of Mass for the Concelebrants).
Mathew De Souza, a member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, released the book ‘Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Bhavatheanchea Upeoga Pasot’ (The Order of the Mass for the Use of the Faithful).
Sr Alexia Braz FMCK, also a member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, released the book ‘Bhurgeank Mhoje-xim Yeunk Diyat’ (The Order of the Children’s Mass)
Fr Afonso Mendonca, Convenor of the Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani–Goa and Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the revision and publication of the Konkani (Roman Script) Missal.
The liturgical music books ‘Devachea Bhurgeanchim Gitam Vol 7 and 16 published by the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music were also released by Cardinal Ferrão. These books were introduced by Fr Simon D’Cunha, President of the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music.
