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OLD GOA
Stating that Jesus built people and community, not buildings, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão said people need humility to strengthen their relationship with Jesus, to imbibe the virtues of caring and service to build like Jesus and sacrifice to give witness to Jesus.
Archbishop Ferrão was delivering his homily while presiding over the Eucharistic celebration at the Chapel of Cruz dos Milagres, for the Extraordinary General Definitory of the Order of Discalced Carmelites on the feast day of St Agatha, a martyr of the Catholic church.
Recalling the life of St Agatha, Archbishop Ferrão taking the help of the readings of the day appealed to the Carmelites to witness to Jesus in continuing their mission entrusted to them. He stressed on the need to walk with Jesus, Build with Jesus and thus give witness to Jesus. “This can be achieved through one’s growth in intimacy with Jesus. Jesus built people and community, not buildings, so it’s our responsibility to build with Jesus,” he said.
Archbishop Ferrão added, “We need humility to strengthen our relationship with Jesus, need to imbibe the virtues of caring and service to build like Jesus, and sacrifice to give witness to Jesus,” he clarified.
Fr Charles Serrão, Provincial of Karnataka-Goa province, welcomed Archbishop Ferrão while Definitor General for India Dr (Fr) Johannes Gorantla thanked the archbishop for his cooperation and support to carry our mission in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
Archbishop appreciated the mission of the Carmelites and wished them a fruitful deliberations on the theme “Reviewing Constitutions, Renewing Life.” As many as 73 Carmelites delegates from across the world are participating in the Extraordinary General Definitory organised at St Jospeh Vaz Spiritual Renewal Centre, Old Goa on the occasion of 400 years of Carmelite presence in India.
Archbishop Ferrão will also preside over the solemn Eucharistic celebration on February 10 at 4 pm to mark the 400 years of Carmelite presence in India.
Carmelites to celebrate Mass at ruins in Old Goa on Feb 8
OLD GOA: The Discalced Carmelites in India will celebrate the Eucharistic celebration at the ruins of their monastery (novitiate house)-Convento do Carmo at Old Goa on February 8 at 7.30 am.
The Memorial Mass of Blesseds Dionysius and Redemptus will be presided over by the Superior General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, Dr Saverio Cannistra. November 29, being the feast day of Blesseds Dionysius and Redemptus, Carmelites friars and nuns along with the secular Carmelites from Goa celebrate the feast mass at the ruins every year.
Since this year is of great significance for the Carmelites as they celebrate 400 years of their existence in India, they will have a memorial mass of Bls. Dionysius and Redemptus at the ruins. Carmelites laid the first foundation at Old Goa in 1619. Convent do Carmo (Carmelite Convent/Monastery) was a novitiate house where Blessed Dionysius and Redemptus lived.
It is recalled that the first batch of Carmelites led by Fr Leander of the Annunciation, who had been sent on the Persian mission, came to Goa in 1619.
