PANAJI
Noted Konkani author, tiatr writer, director and actor Fr Nevel Lourdes Sacramento Gracias (58) of Velim passed away in the Clergy Home at Porvorim in the wee hours of Friday.
Fr Gracias, who gained fame for his Lenten tiatrs, which were acclaimed by people across and beyond Goa, is reported to have written and presented about 50 tiatrs, which included over two dozen spiritual and Lenten tiatrs.
The final rites of the departed priest will take place at the St Francis Xavier Church, Velim, on May 19 at 4 pm.
On Saturday (May 14), there will be a Mass for the repose of priest at the Clergy Home in Porvorim at 10.30 am.
Fr Nevel was ordained a priest by Archbishop Raul Gonsalves on April 30, 1991, in St Francis Xavier’s Church, Velim.
During his priestly ministry, Fr Gracias had served in the parishes of Taleigao, Piedade-Divar, Loutolim, Chaudi-Canacona, Borda-Margao, Utorda, Panaji, Caranzalem and Guirim.
He also served as the Asst Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Centre and Director of the Lay Apostolate, while also serving as editor of the diocesan monthly ‘Daily Flash’ and ‘Jivitacho Prokas’. Priests in the archdiocese recalled that Fr Nevel was born on the day Our Lady appeared in Lourdes (February 11) and died on the day she appeared in Fatima (May 13).
Besides tiatrs, Fr Gracias also wrote and presented one-act plays. He was also a regular contributor to various magazines, including Vauraddeancho Ixtt, Dor Mhoineachi Rotti, Gulab and Renovacao.
He was a recipient of a number of awards and felicitations by JIVIT Puroskar, Vauraddeancho Ixtt Puroskar, Gulab Puroskar, Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendra Puroskar, Dalgado Puroskar.
Fr Gracias was also felicitated for his contribution to Konknni tiatr during the 125 years of tiatr celebration.
