PANAJI
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, another cardinal of Goan origin and a number of Goan priests concelebrated at the Funeral Mass of Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday.
Cardinal Ferrao and Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi Cardinal Joseph Coutts were among the estimated 220 cardinals, 750 bishops and more than 4,000 priests concelebrating the Funeral Mass.
Canon Norbert Fernandes, the first Canon of Goan-origin at the Westminster Cathedral and one of the concelebrants, described the funeral of Pope Francis as “a mystical experience of the world coming to Rome: a variety of ages, cultures, languages and faiths.”
“Our Catholic Christian hope of Resurrection was proclaimed, celebrated and experienced. Heaven and earth united like the shining sun. I felt so privileged to have this unique opportunity of concelebrating at the Funeral. Many, many were in my heart - the living and the departed,” Canon Fernandes told The Goan.
Fr Alfi D’Cruz, who is pursuing his licentiate in Church Communication at Santa Croce University, said he was happy to have concelebrated at the Funeral Mass.
“A tear dropped from my eye when the bells rang and the soulful music at Saint Peter's Square lifted my spirit into a prayerful mode. I remembered all the moments when I had encountered Pope Francis,” said Fr D’Cruz.
“The last time I met him was for the Mass at Basilica of St Peter for Jubilee of the World of Communications. The smile on his face and his gesture towards me was so powerful that the memory of his motivates me to live my vocation with joy.”
“Simple man in a simple coffin but a great story to be ever told to generations to come. Pope Francis left an intangible legacy of hope for the world full of suffering, pain, loneliness.
“May the church continue what Pope Francis had worked for,” he added.
Fr Lucas Rodrigues, a Pilar Father who is Parish Priest at Holy Rood Swindon, and Goan Chaplain to Swindon, was also among the Goan priests concelebrating at the Funeral Mass.
Some Goans priests who are pursuing doctorate and further studies in Rome were also concelebrants.
