PANAJI
The Discalced Carmelites in Goa marked the feast of Blesseds Dionysius (Denis of the Nativity) and Redemptus of the Cross with a solemn Eucharistic celebration on Saturday at the historic ruins of their first monastery, Convento do Carmo, Old Goa.
The annual celebration, held at the site where both martyrs once lived and formed their Carmelite vocation, brought together Carmelite friars, nuns and members of the Secular Carmel from across Goa. The Feast Mass was presided over by Fr Fantino Pereira OCD, Fr Marlon Rodrigues OCD, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao, and Fr Ronald D’Souza OCD, Superior of the Carmelite Seminary, Mapusa, and other priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
Delivering a homily, Fr Jason Coutinho OCD reminded the faithful that everything in this world passes, but faith, hope and love endure for ever, urging them to remain steadfast in their vocation and to draw inspiration from the heroic fidelity of Blesseds Denis and Redemptus.
Opening his reflection, he invited the congregation to contemplate the historic surroundings, saying that if the ancient trees and stones could speak, “they would tell us of more than four hundred years of prayer, sacrifice and Carmelite presence.” These stones, he added, “watched the Carmelites gather for prayer, chant the psalms and celebrate the Holy Eucharist,” and may even have been touched by the martyrs themselves. Standing on the ground where Carmelites lived and formed missionaries since 1619, Fr Coutinho spoke of the spiritual continuity linking past and present.
“Their feet once walked where our feet now rest… what unites them and us is the same faith, hope and love.”
Reflecting on St Paul’s words, he reminded the faithful that only these three virtues – faith, hope and love – endure, while earthly structures fade. “This monastery stood tall and strong — today it lies in ruins. But what will endure? Faith, hope and love,” he said, noting that the martyrs’ courage and zeal flowed from these virtues. Fr Marlon Rodrigues OCD thanked the gathering, while the postulants led the liturgical singing.
The commemoration took place at the very site where the Carmelites first laid their foundation in India in 1619. Under the leadership of Fr Leander da Anunciação, the first group of Carmelites arrived in Goa after serving on the Persian mission. By 1620, they had established Convento do Carmo as a novitiate house, and in 1630, a theologate was added.
Blesseds Dionysius and Redemptus were among the early members of this flourishing Carmelite community. Their presence at Convento do Carmo forms an important chapter in the history of the Teresian Reform in India. In 2019, the Discalced Carmelites celebrated 400 years of their presence in India, with an extraordinary General Definitory held in Goa.
Blessed Denis of the Nativity, born Pierre Berthelot, was a renowned cartographer and naval captain serving the kings of France and Portugal. While in Goa in 1635, under the guidance of Fr Philip of the Most Trinity, he discerned a call to religious life and joined the Discalced Carmelites.
Blessed Redemptus of the Cross, born Thomas Rodrigues de Cunha in Portugal in 1598, entered the Carmelite novitiate in Goa in 1615 as a lay brother. In 1638, Dionysius and Redemptus accompanied a Portuguese delegation to Sumatra (now Indonesia), where they were captured and martyred. Their heroic witness led to their beatification by Pope Leo XIII in 1900, earning them the title of proto-martyrs of the Discalced Carmelite Order.
