Wednesday 16 Jul 2025

Goa mourns demise of two prominent diocesan priests

Two diocesan priests from the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, who hailed from the same neighbourhood in Carona-Aldona, passed away rnon Wednesday.

| APRIL 13, 2017, 06:38 PM IST

the goan I network
PANAJI

Both priests were known and acclaimed for their spiritual leadership 
and prayerfulness.  
Fr Lawrence Mascarenhas, rector of the Church of Cruz dos Milagres, Old Goa, passed away on Wednesday following a massive heart attack at the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre at Old Goa. Fr Santana Carvalho passed away at Lar Santa Margarida (home for the aged) in Divar after keeping poor health for a few months.    
FR LAWRENCE 
MASCARENHAS  
Born in 1959, Fr Mascarenhas hailed from Carona-Aldona but the family eventually shifted to Baina-Vasco. He was ordained a priest in 1988 and served in various parts of the archdiocese. During his priestly ministry, Fr Mascarenhas served as assistant parish priest of Cansaulim and Parra, Chaplain of Vancio-Guirim, headmaster at the Seminary of Our Lady High School, Saligao-Pilerne, parish priest of Sao Bras (Ilhas) and Pilerne, rector of the Church of “Cruz dos Milagres” Old Goa and spiritual director of the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X, Old Goa.  
Fr Mascarenhas was a well-known Charismatic Retreat preacher and used to conduct weekly Intercessory Healing Prayer services everywhere he was posted during the past two decades.   
He was getting ready to take charge of the new Divine Mercy Retreat Centre at Banda in Sawantwadi, for which the Bishop of Sindhudurg Allwyn Barreto had sought the required permission of the Archbishop of Goa.  
The director and the community of the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre at Old Goa have informed that the mortal remains of Fr Mascarenhas will be kept at the St Joseph Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa, on April 15.  
A thanksgiving Holy Eucharist will be offered at Cruz dos Milagres Church, Old Goa, on April 16 at 10 am. On the same day, the funeral Mass will take place at Our Lady of Candelaria Church, Baina, Vasco, at 4 pm followed by burial.    
FR SANTANA 
CARVALHO  
Fr Santana Carvalho was born in 1946 and was ordained priest in 1971. He served in various parts of the archdiocese and was assistant parish priest at Holy Spirit Church (Margao) and at Chinchinim, prefect of Discipline at the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne, parish priest at Tormas (Pernem), parochial administrator of the parish of Pernem and Acting Dean of Pernem Deanery and spiritual director at the Seminary of Our Lady, Saligao-Pilerne.  
Fr Carvalho had also served as director of the Vocation Commission for the Diocesan Clergy, parochial administrator of the Immaculate Conception Church, Panjim, dean of Panjim Deanery, spiritual director of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol and spiritual director of the Pastoral Institute St. Pius X, Old Goa. He was also member of the Diocesan Commission for Liturgy.  
People recalled him as a soft-spoken, kind-hearted, holy priest, whose homilies and sermons were much appreciated, as was his way of celebrating the Holy Mass. He was also considered a great spiritual guide and shepherd to his flock.  
It is learnt that the funeral Mass will take place at St Thomas Church at Aldona on April 17 at 4 pm, followed 
by burial.  
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