Sr Mary Vas from Omzoor awarded highest honour by Papacy


Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 23: The 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' (Latin: For the Church and the Pope) medal, an award of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the 'Cross of Honor', was bestowed on Sr Mary Vas by Apolostic Nuncio Dr Salvatore Pennacchio in New Delhi on Saturday June 21.

The medal was instituted by Pope Leo XIII (July 17, 1888. “Quod Singulari”) in memory of his golden sacerdotal jubilee. It is currently given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and the religious. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity and the religious by the Papacy.

During the year the Nuncio petitioned the Holy See to bestow upon Sr Mary the Papal Honor, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, “In recognition of her effective and distinguished service to the Nunciature, New Delhi, India”. By the act of decree and medal, “The Holy See has recognized her extraordinary service to the Church and her generosity of mind and heart in sharing her many gifts and talents to the nunciature for 23 long years”.

On Saturday June 21, a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by Dr Salvatore Pennacchio and concelebrated by Msgr Romanus Mbena, Msgr Marco Sprizzi, Fr Dr Charles Vas, brother of Sr Mary Vas and director of Sangeet Abhinay Academy, Mumbai, and Fr Royal Anthony, education director, Catholic diocese of Bareilly at the Chapel of the Nunciature New Delhi.

The current version of the medal is awarded in golden. The obverse depicts the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. On the left arm of the cross is the inscription pro Ecclesia (For the Church), on the right arm of the cross is Et Pontifice (And Pope). At the point of the bottom arm of the cross is the coat of arms of the reigning pope His Holiness Pope Francis I. At the points of the other arms are the small Greek crosses.

Sr Mary Vas (maiden name Cecilia) was born at Omzoor, in the diocese of Mangalore in December 1935. She is the daughter of the late Jacob Vas and the late Seraphine Pereira Vas. She comes from a family of 5 children - 3 girls and 2 boys. Amongst them, three are religious viz Fr Charles Vas SVD, Mumbai, Sr Mary Vas CFMFS, Delhi and the late Sr Josephine Vas PDDM. Amongst the other two, one is a teacher viz Stella D’Souza, Mangalore and the youngest one, Pius Vas, is a renowned lawyer of the Bombay High Court, Mumbai.

After completing her high school studies in Mangalore, Sr Mary joined CFMFS in Delhi in 1955. She went to Italy in 1981 and studied music for six years and stayed there for another three years. On returning to India she joined the Nunciature in February 1991 and has given her service for a long period of 23 years.

Sister Mary remarked that she was quite surprised when she received the news of the award. She thanked the Nuncio for the same. She owed her gratitude to the sisters of the congregation who have always walked with her and especially her parents and family members for all that they mean to her.

The other distinguished guests present for the function included Pius Vas, advocate, Bombay High Court, his son Jason Vas, solicitor, and Emmy Vas and Sunil D’Souza, niece and nephew of Sr Mary Vas. Also present were Shanti D’Souza, Lucy and Peter Gabriel with their respective families, and other sisters of the community of Sr Mary, her Provincial Sr Ivy and Superior Sr Lincy.

Pius Vas, the youngest brother of Sr Mary spoke during the felicitation programme and expressed his gratitude to the Holy See and the Nuncio and heartfelt wishes to Sr Mary. He recollected the humble beginnings of the family and beautifully expressed as to how the parish from where the family began viz Holy Family Church has become a reality in the life of the Vas Family, all because of the good works and pious life led by their parents. The speech was so touching that it made the whole atmosphere in the library of the Nunciature very emotional.

  

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  • Kailash Bhindwar, New Delhi/ Noida

    Fri, Jun 27 2014

    Congratulations to you, Sr Vaz....

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • cyril janet vas, omzoor

    Fri, Jun 27 2014

    Hearty Congrats dearest Sr. Aunty. May God bless you abundantly with good heath and happiness

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Fr Charles Vas SVD, Mumbai

    Thu, Jun 26 2014

    On behalf of the family,Sr Mary Vas,
    Mrs Stella DSouza, Mr Pius Vas, I would like to thank each and every one of you for the Wishes and the support you have shown. May God Bless you all. Our wishes and prayers are always with you!

    Dr. Fr. Charles Vas SVD.

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Rakesh Madtha, Bangalore

    Thu, Jun 26 2014

    Hearty congrats Sr. Mary Vas. May God bless .

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Veronica & Stephen Miranda, Pakshikere/Canada

    Wed, Jun 25 2014

    Dear Sr. Mary,
    Hearty congratulations on receiving this prestigious award. May the Almighty continue to watch over you, strengthen you and guide you in your work. Our best wishes to the extended Vaz family.
    Love, Steve, Vinny & children

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Joyce, Omzoor,Canada

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Hearty congratulations...
    Omzoor...my homeparish, makes me proud to know about this award.
    It reminded me of my parish structure ... those steps to climb in front of Vas family house and so on...

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Precilla Maxim, bajpe/ gantalkatte

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations to you Sr. Mary Vas I pray that all mighty god give u blessing's & good health , Long life

    DisAgree Agree Reply Report Abuse

  • Benedict Noronha, Udupi/India

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Very informative and good article with a spiritual news. Sr mary Vaz is great and we rejoice with her.May God bless her with good health and happiness.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudy D souza & Family, Kuwait, Omzoor/ Kuwait

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Wow nice to read article which highlights OMZOOR and that too about an papal Award. Congratulations Sr. Mary Vas. You and your family deserve this award. Kudos to her brother Fr. Dr. Charles Vas SVD who is name for popular hymns with unique Music. youngest brother Pius a renowned advocate at High court Mumbai. Her sister Stella was my maths teacher who is simply great in teaching mathematics. Once again congratulations VAS FAMILY OMZOOR.

    Rudy D' Souza KUWAIT (S/o of Pascal Master)

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancy Dsouza, Fermai / Omzoor

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations to you Sr. Mary Vas and God bless you always!God give u more blessing's & along with good health.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sebastian , Omzoor/UAE

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations sr. Mary vas.
    You have made us proud.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • ronald vaz, derebail

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Hearty congratulations dear Cecil Aunty.The Whole Vas family at Omzur is very proud of you.You truly deserve this prestigious award. I missed this great event. It was due to you i visited the Vatican Embassy few years back. Wilma along with my kids Jeethu n Jotsna i once again wish you. May god bless you.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Gilbert, Omzoor - Opp.NSM High school

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Hearty congrates to Sr. Mary Vas and Dr, Fr. Charls, Pius.

    From Omzoor(Kuwait)

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • George menezes, Farangipet/dubai

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations Sr.Mary,May God bless her with many more years of service with good health and spirit.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • lucy, omzoor/dubai

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations Sr. Bai. May God bless you and give you good health and happiness.

    Pereira Family Omzoor

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliana braggs, omzoor, ghatkopar

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Omzoor !!!!! in the headlines. Thank you sister Mary making us so proud. Congratulations. May god give good health and long life to continue to work in his vineyard and serve the needy. Happy to see both Fr. Charles and Pius Dattu. Your mother must be watching this occasion and blessing you sitting right with mother mary and jesus. Thank you once again. Omzoorites' prayers are always with you.

    Juliana Braggs& Fly, Ghatkopar (Omzoor, Mayyadi)

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Domnic Savio Viegas, Cortalim, Goa/Bahrain

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations Sr Mary. God Bless You Always to continue working for Him. Showers of Blessings may rain upon you and your love ones.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliana, udupi

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Beautiful occasion. Humble people join together to glorify and praise God. God bless all.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Austin Prabhu, Nantur/Chicago

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations to you Sr. Mary Vas and God bless you always!

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Irene Sequeira, Derebail/New York

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    Congratulations dear Sr. Mary on being awarded highest honour by Papacy. Congratulations to Fr.Dr. Charles Vaz, Advocate Pius, Stella teacher and all the families. We are all proud of you. May God bless you all. With best wishes and prayers from Molly and all children of late Pascal Master.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rita&Henry lasrado, Omzoor/Germany

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    congratulations dear Sr.for recieving highest honour .and at the same time congratulations to the Family.we from Baddoor Pray God He may Keep you further in good health and bless you and Family.Our church is blessed with this honour again .we are very happy about your honour.

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • SR Jolinta BS, Acquaviva, ITALY

    Tue, Jun 24 2014

    My dear sr Mary, Hearty congratulations to you. It is a great joy to your family. May God bless you

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Anil V Pinto, Mangalore/Abu Dhabi

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Our heartfelt congratulations to Sr.Mary Vas. We know Fr.Dr.Charles & Advocate Mr.Pius Vas. We were touched with our first meet together in Abu Dhabi. The richest wealth they possess is in their simplicity & humbleness. God Bless the family as we wish to meet them again in this circle of our life.

    God bless this family of humble beginning for the richness they sow.
    Cheers to Sr.Mary for this recognition for your services to Almighty on earth for he knows your girth on earth for the benefit of sinners like us.

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sr.Jolinta Bs, italy, Acquaviva

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Dear Sr.Mary congratulations to you. A great Joy to you and to your family.
    May God Bless you!!!!!!!

    DisAgree Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • MARIAN D'SOUZA, PERNAL/BANGALORE

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Hearty congratulations to Sr. Mary Vas from Omzoor and the entire Vas family members. To be eligible for the highest honour from Papacy is in itself a blessing from above.May God bless her with many more years of service with good health and spirit.

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alwyn, Omzoor/USA

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Congratulations to Sr.Mary, and Vas family of Omzoor, Dr Fr. Charles, Adv. Pius and Stella teacher and the rest of the family member and their relatives in Omzoor and elsewhere.
    Alwyn.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • WILFRED D'SOUZA & FLY, KULSHEKAR/SAUDI ARABIA

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Congratulations Sr.Mary,
    May the Almighty Lord Shower Abundant Blessings upon your Family and Bring Lots of Joy and Happiness in Life.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lawrence Braggs, Bandra,Mumbai, Omzoor

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    I was delighted to read about papal honour bestowed to Sr Mary vas.
    Congratulations and God Bless. My thoughts go back to my childhood days when I used to interact with you and the family, having studied in the same church school. It is a great proud moment for the family. My congratulations to Fr Charles as well as Pius.

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • HENRY MISQUITH, Bahrain

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Congrats Sr.Mary Vas, may God's presence be with you, wherever you go & whatever you do. Amen.

    DisAgree Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Cynthia Lobo, Mangalore/London

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Dear Rev. Sister Mary, Congratulations to you and all your family members at Omzoor. God bless.
    Cynthia,Celine, Nelly, Leena and Stella Braggs, Mayyadi

    DisAgree Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Baptist peter pereira, Mangalore / Dubai

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Well sr Mary you face hard life but you got happiness . Other's must watch your way .I pray that all mighty god give u more blessing's & along with good health , Long life Amen.

    DisAgree Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Lancy Moras, Moushmi Creations/Bajjodi

    Mon, Jun 23 2014

    Hearty congrats Sr. Mary Vas. May God bless you and grant you good health.

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse


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