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50th death anniversary of Msgr. Raymond Mascarenhas on Dec 16

50th death anniversary of Msgr. Raymond Mascarenhas on Dec 16


Mangalore Today News Network

By I J Saldanha Shet, Mangalore

Mangalore, Dec 12, 2010: Msgr. Raymond F C Mascarenhas, a saintly Priest of the Diocese is the first Mangalore Konkani Catholic to enter the realm of potential ’Sainthood’ in the Roman Catholic Church. The process to be declared a saint by the Pope in Vatican is a highly strict and elaborate process which could take decades.

 

Msgr. Raymond Mascarenhas


On December 16, 2010 a very solemn and devout celebration is to be held at  Bendur. Msgr.Raymond died at Bendur on 23 December 1960, the 50th death anniversary of  this saintly priest who is the ’FOUNDER’ of the ’Bethany Sisters’ whose headquarters is at Bendur and are the only indigenous order of nuns in  Kanara. Msgr.R F C Mascarenhas, was the first Parish Priest of Bendur who is reputed to have raised it from scratch in 17 years from 1914 to 1931.

On December 16, 2010.
An unprecedented presence of Bishops is expected for the observance of  50th death anniversary of  ’Servant of God’  R F C MASCARENHAS on the  evening  of  16th December. The Archbishop of Bangalore, Our own Bishop of Mangalore along with the Bishops of Shimoga,Gulbarga,Kannur, Belgaum,Belthangady,and Bellary, also apart from the public there will be many priests,nuns religious and a number of relatives of  Msgr Mascarenhas.

The  very solemn celebrations will include:a Concelebrated Eucharistic Mass , this will be followed by an exclusive programme to mark the singular occasion a holy celebrations for the Konkani Christians of Kanara. Books are to be released on this great personality in Kannada English and German. Several special projects are to be inaugurated as well thorought India, which will be spear headed by the Bethany Congregation.

To value this great impending event let us get an over view of  the life and personality of this great and magnificent Priest who held sway over the civil and religious affairs of undivided South Canara and whose compassion and concern in the welfare of the marginalized and women in particular to gain education and circumferential development is today a great mass movement in public and religious domains.

The facet of his leadership in the Media is of prime importance he has penned several books in Konkani,Kannada and English. But his translations from Latin and English into Konkani of Prayer Books and major parts of the Bible are of particular importance to the local people. He is also a widely travelled person of his time, having made trips to  Rome,Europe,US and the Holy land and so on. He widely travelled in India too.   

The thinking of this personality which has proved to be much before his time is today emulated by many a leader at most levels and needs to be in a wider manner in time to
come as well.Msgr.Raymond had introduced several novel ideas and means that have today come into the open, for example ’Envioronment and Bio-diversity’  were in his own way introduced a green revolution in the many schools and  convents and so on under Bethany-gardens, farms and nature’s signature is significant to this day. 

Let us take a brief overview of the times ,life and mile stones of this ’Saint to be’ Msgr.Raymond, as he is fondly known in familiar terms.

HISTORY RECAP:
Christianity came to India very soon after the death of Christ through his Apostle Thomas (Doubting Thomas as he is known). But it came to Mangalore only in 1568 due to the Portuguese who landed at Bundar the old Port of Kudla that is visible even today. The present and only  Rosario Cathedral  is the first catholic church historically  recognized. The Konkani agricultural settlers in this area accepted Christianity and a firm base was laid for a very fruitful and cultured community that durably contributed and held in high esteem in Kanara. This Konkani community survived the test of captivity between 1784-99 at Srirangapatna near Mysore and came out stronger to soar like an Eagle.
 
THE  EARLY TIMES:
Raymond Mascarenhas’  ascendants  hail from among those Christians who returned  from the captivity and were thus firm of faith and very fervent catholics. His father was serving at the Municipal office in Shimoga and Raymond was born there on 23 January 1875. In the meanwhile the family returned to Falnir in Mangalore and Raymond finished his studies first at Milagres and later at St.Aloysius. His zeal for the church was such from early age that he joined the St.Joseph’s seminary at Jeppu and was anointed a Priest in 1900. His  first mass was in his home parish Milagres Mangalore, his family,relatives and friends were filled with joy and it was a great honour for him  and Gods own blessing to the community.

VOCATIONAL LIFE:
He served at Milagres in mangalore, kallianpur. In 1903 he was for the first time  appointed Parish Priest at Udayavar a poor and out laying place. He worked very hard earned the confidence of the humble people of the area and  established the church in a heroic manner that made him a priest in demand and was taken to Agrar. In 1914  Fr.Raymond was requisitioned to the new parish of Bendur a barren place just outside Mangalore town of those times. It is seen that in the 17 years, till 1931 that he spent at Bendur  it became a true Catholic centre of faith and development.

Among his many achievements the chief one is considered the only indigenous order of nuns at Bendur  Mangalore under the name of  "Sisters of the Little flower of Bethany" ( commonly known as Bethany Sisters) on 16 July 1921. Their motto ’Behold the handmaid of the LORD’ signifying labouring with the Almighty is validated even to this day!

His saintly devotion to the LORD and his hard labour for the people of all classes and creeds made Bendur with a new church an exemplary area. His intellect and popularity   endeared him to all citizens of this place and he served also as a civic councilor. His vision and ability in the education and arena also got him a place on the educational council of the region and he became an interlocutor with key European Govt officials to the great benefit of the native population. 1931 saw him a leading priest of the Diocese of Mangalore – God had greater plans for him and he was not appointed Bishop.

LATER LIFE:
His humility gave glory to the Almighty and he continued vital work in the area and surroundings as Vicar General. After his retirement in 1941 he lived in a small cottage near Bethany Convent at Bendur which he had founded and  worked tirelessly for it’s growth which was very rapid not only in South India but in the North and  North east too.

This cottage is preserved with care to date and has now taken the shape of a museum which preserves the history of this great ’saint-in-waiting’. On his death on December 23, 1960 by public demand he was buried  in the Bendur Church in front of the  main alter  which can be seen today . a visit to the cottage museum (where part of his remains were transferred has a memorial too) is worth a visit with prior appointment from the Bethany sisters.

Those interested can obtain information on this saintly personality and also if  one has anything whatsoever to convey it may be done. This is matter that would be of  interest to all men of Goodwill. THIS IS A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TOO!

CONTACT: The Vice-Postulator, Cause of Servant of God R F C Mascarenhas,
Bthany Convent, Kankanady Post. Mangalore -575 002.
Tel:0824-2211806, E-mail:rfcmas@gmail.com


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