from Fr Pratap Naik SJ
from Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (GA)
Porvorim, Oct 15: Fr Moreno de Souza, SJ. one of the founding members and the first executive director of Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr left this world for his heavenly abode on Sunday October 14 at 7.30 pm.
He had a fall on October 4 in his room and was admitted to GMC Hospital, Bambolim, in an unconscious state. When there was no hope of recovery, he was shifted to JMJ Hospital, Alto Porvorim so that he may be in the company of his friends. It was here that he breathed his last on Sunday. His mortal remains will be kept for last rites at Bom Jesus Basilica and interred at Old Goa, on Tuesday October 16 at 4.00 pm.
Fr Moreno de Souza, SJ, a pillar of Konknni was born on November 3, 1923 at Pilerne at his mother’s house; his father was from Marna, Siolim. But later they shifted to Pilerne permanently. He did his matriculation from Mater Dei Institution, Saligao. Msr Ayres Fernandes from Marna Siolim persuaded him to write in Konknni even as a boy before joining the Society of Jesus. In 1944 he joined the Society of Jesus. He did his priestly training in Mumbai, Shembaganur (Tamil Nadu), Ranchi, Belgaum, Granada and Salamanca in Spain. He was ordained priest on July 15, 1958 in Granada, Spain.
Fr Moreno loved his mother tongue Konknni very ardently. His two maternal uncles were priests and musicians, which made him to take interest in composing songs, composing hymns, and writing poetry. He knew several languages such as Latin, Greek, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalina, Marathi, Tamil and Hindi. Soon after his ordination he regularly started contributing to ‘Aitarachem vachop’, a Konknni weekly of Salesian priests and later contributed to ‘Udentechem Neketr’, a weekly from Mumbai and also to Vavraddeancho Ixtt. He was inspired by the people of Ranchi to write religious songs in Konknni when he saw adivasi Christians singing religious songs in Hindi. Fr Moreno rendered invaluable service to the Konknni monthly Dor Mhoineachi Rotti in Roman script.
Fr Moreno is sole person who has kept this magazine alive to date. 'Dor Mhoineachi Rotti' was first started at Karachi in 1915. In 1960 its office was shifted to Bombay. Fr Moreno was posted at Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa and the responsibility of this magazine was handed over to him. He served the readers of this magazine for the last 42 years as editor and from August 2006 this magazine was handed over to Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr, Porvorim.
He made himself a historian by dint of hardwork. Outstanding and praise worthy work which really need appreciation the four volumes on the Churches of Goa in Roman script namely Tisvaddecheo Igorzo, Bardescheo Igorzo, and Saxtticheo Igorzo in two volumes. Besides this he has round about 19 books in Konknni to his credit. On September 23, 2007, his last book 'Saxtticheo Igorzo Dusro Khondd', on the Churches of Goa covering the Churches of Salcette was released. He has written innumerable Konknni articles in Roman script and published in Vavaraddeancho Ixtt, Gulab, The Goan Review, Goencho Avaz etc. He has written a number of articles in English related to Konknni language, literature and culture. Besides, he has served Konknni people through his preaching in various churches in Goa and outside Goa.
He was a member of All India Sahitya Academy, New Delhi, Dalgado Konknni Akademi, Thomas Stephens Konknni Kendr.
He received many awards for his contribution to Konknni from Konknni Bhasha Mandal, Goa, Kala Academy, Gulab and Man of year award of The Goan Review. On February 16, 2007, he received the Goa State Cultural Award.
Fr Moreno de Souza SJ will be remembered by generations of church-goers and visitors to the Bom Jesus Basilica, irrespective of their religion. His documentation of the Churches of Goa is an unique contribution that will see reprints long after his memory fades with the passage of time. He will live through his books.