Media Release

Panaji, Nov 20: “As we celebrate 94th death anniversary of Venerable Agnelo, let us thank the most Holy Trinity for the gift of Venerable Agnelo to us and strengthen our relationship with Jesus through prayer and the Word of God, to show concern and serve the needy. For this, Venerable Agnelo is a model for us,” said archbishop of Goa and Daman and the president of CCBI Filipe Neri Ferrão.

Archbishop Ferrão was delivering homily on the theme, To experience the presence of Christ in our Families: Venerable Agnelo, a model, at the eucharist celebrations held at Pilar on the occasion of 94th Death Anniversary of Venerable Agnelo. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão presided over the eucharistic celebration along with Fr Sebastião Mascarenhas sfx, superior general of the Society of Pilar, Fr Tony Fernandes Sfx, vice postulator, Fr Nazareth Fernandes sfx, vicar-general, Fr Mateus Fernandes sfx, provincial of Goa Province of the Society of Pilar and 40 priests as concelebrants.

The pandemic had restricted devotees from frequenting the hillock last year. This year, with the easing of the pandemic many flocked to Pilar to seek blessings of this Holy Son of the soil, Venerable Agnelo. This year no stalls were allowed on the hillock.

Reminding the words of St Paul to the Ephesians, archbishop said, "God has bestowed on us all the heavenly spiritual gifts and even before he made the world, he loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. This generous plan of God makes us his adopted children in Christ. To fulfil his plan, God has bestowed on us his grace through Christ. Venerable Agnelo generously and faithfully responded to the plan of God and became an example for us, ” Archbishop said.

Recalling the life and the virtues of Venerable Agnelo, archbishop, highlighted virtues of Venerable Agnelo like Man of prayer, Lover of the Word of God, caring, compassionate and merciful person, and service oriented.

“His relationship with Jesus through prayer helped Venerable Agnelo to know the will of God. In order to experience God’s presence, prayer is must,” Said Archbishop Ferrão.

Fr Sebastião Mascarenhas sfx, superior general of the Society of Pilar, speaking on the occasion, thanked archbishop and expressed his joy over missionary vocation lived by Venerable Agnelo, who also lived a saintly life.

Speaking on the occasion Fr Tony Fernandes sfx, vice-postulator said that a favour received through the intercession, after going through the diocesan process, sent to the Congregation of the cause of Saints, Rome. He appealed to the devotees to pray for the same. He also thanked archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão for all the support and cooperation.

Fr Ivo Fernandes, sfx, was the liturgical commentator while Fr Nazareth Fernandes sfx, vicar-general proposed a vote of thanks. Fr Reagan Fernandes sfx led the liturgical singing.
“We have not done much publicity about this day’s celebrations in the parishes, but we are satisfied with the response of the faithful and devotees of Venerable Agnelo, who pariticpated in the novena and feast day masses,” said Fr Tony Fernandes, vice postulator for the Cause of Canonisation of Venerable Agnelo. “This year’s celebration was unique. We could accommodate only 800 devotees in the pandal due to COVID restrictions. I have experienced a calm and serene atmosphere at the Pilar hillock,” Fr Tony said further. He felt that Venerable Agnelo was just drawing people to himself even in this pandemic.