THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
On the occasion of the 85th Re-Organisation Day of the Society of Pilar, Auxiliary Bishop Simião Purificação Fernandes exhorted members of the Society of Pilar to spread the love of Christ in a Synodal way.
During the Eucharist, the prelate spoke about three great personalities: Francis of Assisi, Francis Xavier and Pope Francis - who lived and witnessed the Gospel of Jesus in a synodal way and said that everyone needs to draw inspiration from them.
He reminded the members of the Society of Pilar to treasure ‘servant leadership’ by journeying with all and becoming a listening and an inclusive church.
After the Eucharist, the prelate was felicitated by the Society of Pilar on being appointed as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Goa and Daman.
Speaking on the occasion, Superior General of the Society of Pilar Fr Nazareth Fernandes congratulated Bishop Fernandes and said his appointment as the new Auxiliary Bishop is a new chapter in the august history of the Archdiocese and ushers great expectations from the clergy, religious and laity. On behalf of the Society of Pilar, Fr Nazareth assured the support of its members.
The Society of Pilar, an indigenous congregation, celebrated its 85th Re-Organsiation Day on July 2, 2024.
The Society of Pilar was founded in 1887 by Fr Bento Martins in Agonda. The Society on the verge of extinction was re-organised in 1939 by Fr Conceicao Rodrigues, Fr Francisco Sequeira, Fr Manuel Jose Barreto, Fr Remedios do Rosario Gomes, Fr Jose Albuquerque, Fr Teodolindo Cabral, Br Peter Mascarenhas and Br Paixao Lacerda.
Today, members of the Society of Pilar are spread over 42 dioceses in India and abroad with 3 Bishops, 391 priests, 9 lay brothers and 47 scholastics.
