Mangalore: Titular feast of patron saint celebrated at Vianney Home
Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Aug 4: The retired priests at Vianney Home celebrated the titular feast of their patron St John Maria Vianney at Father Muller campus here on Sunday August 4.
The feast began with the Eucharistic celebration which was offered by Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore. FMCI director Fr Patrick Rodrigues, FMCI administrator Fr Richard Coelho, Fr Rudolp R D’ Sa, administrator of FMCI and Guardian Vianney Home were the concelebrants.
The mass was followed by a felicitation programme, presided over by Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza.
Mangalore diocese procurator Fr John Vas, Fr Denis Castelino, Fr Maurice F D’Souza, Fr Norbert Fernandes, Fr Alexander F Lobo, Fr Joseph M Menezes, Fr J Charles Moraes, Fr John Noranha, Fr Marian Pinto, Fr Hilary Sanctis, Fr Harry Tauro, Fr Felix Noronha (Chaplin FMCI) Fr Roshan Crasta, assistant administrator FMCI, Fr Onil D’ Souza director of Saint Antony Ashram among others were present.
Nuns of various congregations and relatives of retired priests were present on the occasion.
Fr Roshan Crasta welcomed and compered while Fr Rudolf D’ Sa thanked.
On this occasion a retired priest said that the pritests were provided with all facilities including medical assistance in the Vianney Home and looked after well.
History
Vianney Home is a residence for retired priests of the diocese of Mangalore. The plot for the home was purchased by Father Muller in 1876 and built under the administration of Bishop Victor Fernandes between 1931 and 1955. Formerly it was known as Presbytery which means house belonging to church elders (the priests). The director and chaplain of Fr Muller Hospital used to co-ordinate their meals with retired priests.
Bishop Basil D’Souza appointed one of the retired priests as guardian of Vianney home which did not work out. So from 1970 to 2000, Vianney Home was managed by one of the assistant directors of Fr Muller Hospital. Later, a few among the old priests again requested for a guardian, for which the bishop granted permission.