the goan I network
OLD GOA
Dr Saverio Cannistra, Superior General of the Order of the Discalced Carmelites on Friday said that the Camelite history of 400 years in India is of holiness, of Carmelite life, missionary zeal and above all, of love for God.
Dr Cannistra was delivering a homily during the Eucharistic celebrations at the ruins of the Convento do Carmo (Carmelite Convent/Monastery) in Old Goa to remember the martyrdom of the first Carmelite Martyrs, Blessed Dionysius and Redemptus.
Fr Agusti Borrell, assistant general; Fr Lukas Kansy, definitor; Fr Johannes Gorantla, definitor; Fr Daniel Chowning, definitor); Fr Francisco Javier Mena, definitor; Fr Mariano Agruda, definitor; Fr Daniel Ehigie, definitor; Fr Joaquim Loiola Pereira, secretary to the Archbishop of Goa; Fr Alfred Vaz, parish priest of Se Cathedral Church and Fr Felix Lobo along with 136 Carmelite priests across the world con celebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
Dr Cannistra recalled the historical aspects of the Order’s first foundation in Old Goa. “The true strength of our religious vocation is not the force of numbers, nor of tradition, nor of structures, which can become burden and obstacle for the religious. The strength of the religious lies in the power of spirit, the abundance of his gifts, which transforms our weakness and our fears into courage and joy of the disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ.”
Referring to St Teresa of Avila, he said that contemplation is letting oneself be invaded and transformed by God who is love. “Love for God and people. We cannot separate one from the other. It is that fire of this love that makes Carmelite friars of four centuries ago so dynamic and effective,” he opined.
He called the Carmelite family to learn what it means to live concretely today as Carmelites from Blesseds Dionysius and Redemptus and wished that the flame that the spirit has ignited in their hearts is not extinguished in the Carmelites and in our communities.
Scholastics representing all seven provinces of the Carmelites in India participated in the liturgy while theology brothers of Karnataka-Goa province led the choir.
Dr Archibald Gonsalves, convenor of the steering committee for the 400 year celebrations of the Carmelite presence in India and Superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao, took the faithful 400 years back when the first foundation of the Carmelite monastery was laid at Old Goa.
He also detailed the Carmelite presence in and around Old Goa, including at the Carmelite Seminary at Carambolim and at the Cruz Dos Milagres. Dr Johannes Gorantla later thanked Fr Gonsalves for his service in the restoration of the ruins of the monastery.
Later in the day, Dr Cannistra, his definitors and delegates of the general definitory visited the Cloistered Carmelite Convent at Chicalim.
Mother Prioress Sr Maria Rita welcomed and briefed them about the life in convent and their prayerful support to the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman. This visits coincides with the 72nd anniversary of its foundation.
The Superior General and the delegates also visited the Carmelite Monastery in Margao,where Dr Cannistra blessed the Renovated Monastery and the monastery church.
Tombstones found at Carmelite ruins in Old Goa
OLD GOA: The Carmelites on Friday placed wreaths at the tombstones of five Persian martyrs, which were recently found at the ruins of the Convento do Carmo (Carmelite Convent/Monastery) in Old Goa.
Dr Saverio Cannistra, Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites; Fr Agusti Borrell, Assistant General of the Order and Dr Johannes Gorantla, Definitor General for India placed wreaths at the tombstones of five Persian martyrs, Messieurs Bebber (the first one sent by the French East Indian Company to India in 1664, who died at the Carmelite convent at Old Goa in 1669) and Pedro Homem Ferreira (scribe of the chancellery) and that of his wife, Maria de Andrade.
According to the Carmelites, Fr Gabriel de Sa Prepositio de Congregação from Portugal had in 1985 recorded details of the tombs and graves which existed in the monastery and the adjacent land, probably under the request of Fr. Nemesio Alzola of happy memory, the first provincial of the Karnataka-Goa province. He found 20 tomb sites. Incidentally, only three of the original 20 tombs are remaining at the site.
In view of this extraordinary definitory this year, the entire site of the Carmelite convent in Old Goa was cleaned under the supervision of Fr Archibald Gonsalves and during the process, three tombs in the Altar were discovered.
