Tag: Canonization

#faith

Commemoration of the 98th Death Anniversary of Venerable Agnelo de Souza at Pilar

Tanisha Cardozo

The 98th Death Anniversary of Venerable Agnelo de Souza will be solemnly celebrated at Pilar, Goa, on 20th November 2025, under the theme “Venerable Agnelo inspires us to be pilgrims of Hope.” The solemn Mass at 9:30 a.m. will be presided over by Rt. Rev. Dominic Savio Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay. Thousands of devotees are expected to gather at the Pilar hillock to offer prayers and thanksgiving for the saintly priest whose life continues to inspire the faithful.

The novenas in preparation for the feast will be held from 11th to 19th November, with each day dedicated to a special intention — from peace in the world and care for migrants, to prayers for youth, families, the environment, and the sick. The novena Mass timings will be held throughout the day, allowing pilgrims to participate in prayer and reflection. On 14th November, a special Night Vigil will take place from 9:30 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., offering a moment of deep spiritual communion and adoration. Masses will be celebrated in different languages to allow wider participation, including Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, along with a special Mass for the sick and one for the Spiritual Brothers and Sisters.

Each Mass will be followed by a novena prayer and prayers over the sick, with priests available for confessions and counselling. To reach devotees beyond Goa, all celebrations will be live-streamed on the YouTube channel Society of Pilar India and telecasted across major Goan television networks including CCR TV, Prime TV, Prudent TV, Goa365, RDX TV, Goa9 TV, and others.

As in past years, traffic management arrangements will be in place for the safety and convenience of pilgrims. Vehicles will enter Pilar Hillock via the Neura road and exit through the regular route, with parking arranged behind the Pilar Seminary. Shuttle services will be available for pilgrims commuting by bus.

Venerable Agnelo de Souza, born on 21 January 1869 in Anjuna, Goa, was a devoted priest of the Society of Pilar known for his deep humility, spiritual fervor, and missionary zeal. He spent his life preaching missions and retreats across Goa, touching countless lives with his holiness and compassion. He passed away at dawn on 20 November 1927, leaving behind a legacy of faith and service. His cause for canonization is currently under process in Rome, and this annual commemoration continues to draw thousands of faithful praying for his beatification and canonization.

#faith

98th Death Anniversary of Ven. Agnelo: Pilgrim of Hope

Tanisha Cardozo

The 98th death anniversary of Ven. Agnelo will be solemnly commemorated at Pilar, Goa, from 11th to 20th November 2025. Ven. Agnelo, a beacon of faith and hope, continues to inspire pilgrims from across India and abroad.

This year’s theme, “Ven. Agnelo inspires us to be pilgrims of Hope,” reflects the spirit of devotion and service that marked his life and ministry.

Daily Masses will be celebrated in the morning at 5:30, 6:45, 8:00, 9:15, and 10:30, and in the evening at 4:00, 5:15, and 6:15. The solemn Mass on 20th November at 9:30 AM will be presided over by His Excellency Dominic Savio Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of Bombay.

The novena, held from 11th to 19th November, will be dedicated each day to special intentions such as peace in the world, migrants and refugees, youth, children, priests and religious, families, the environment, the sick, and missionaries.

Highlights of the commemoration include a Night Vigil on 14th November from 9:30 PM to 5:00 AM, multilingual Masses on 16th November in Tamil, Hindi, and Malayalam, and a Mass for the sick on 18th November at 10:30 AM. Spiritual gatherings, confessions, counseling, and a campaign of prayers for Ven. Agnelo’s canonization will also be part of the observances.

Every Mass will be followed by novena prayers and blessings over the sick. The event draws thousands of devotees each year, a testimony to Ven. Agnelo’s enduring influence as a man of deep faith, humility, and service. His legacy continues to guide all who visit Pilar to live as true pilgrims of hope.

Watch the Mass on Allycaral at 9:15 AM.

#faith

Pope Leo XIV Canonizes Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati Together in Historic Ceremony

Tanisha Cardozo

Pope Leo XIV presided over his first Ordinary Public Consistory on Friday morning, where he formally confirmed the canonizations of eight Blesseds. Among them were Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two widely beloved figures whose lives—though lived in different centuries—embodied a vibrant, youthful witness to faith.

Originally, Acutis was scheduled to be canonized during the Jubilee of Teenagers on April 27, while Frassati’s canonization was planned for August 3, the close of the Jubilee for Youth. Both events were postponed following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, which left their canonization dates in question.

That uncertainty ended when Pope Leo XIV announced the decision to canonize both young men together on September 7. The celebration drew widespread global attention, especially from the young faithful who had long looked up to Acutis—the first saint of the twenty-first century—and Frassati, whose early 20th-century life of charity and activism had already earned him the nickname “The Man of the Beatitudes.”

The ceremony reflected the Church’s recognition of the enduring impact of youth saints who lived out their faith in both ordinary and extraordinary ways. Carlo Acutis, known for his devotion to the Eucharist and skill in using technology for evangelization, and Pier Giorgio Frassati, celebrated for his joyful service to the poor and political engagement grounded in Gospel values, now stand together as saints for a new generation.

Pope Leo XIV also announced that seven more Blesseds would be canonized in October. Among them are Archbishop Ignatius Shoukrallah Maloyan, martyred during the Armenian Genocide in 1915, and Peter To Rot, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea who was executed in 1945 for continuing Christian ministry under Japanese occupation. To Rot will become the first saint from Papua New Guinea.

Other future saints include Vincenza Maria Poloni, founder of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona; Maria del Monte Carmelo Rendiles, founder of the Servants of Jesus in Venezuela; and Maria Troncatti, a missionary with the Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians.

Two laymen were also approved for canonization: Bartolo Longo, a former Satanist who became a devout Catholic and established the Marian Shrine at Pompeii, and Dr. José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, a Venezuelan physician known for his generous service to the poor.

Together, these canonizations reflect Pope Leo XIV’s commitment to honoring a wide range of vocations and testimonies of faith—across eras, cultures, and walks of life.

#AllycaralFeature 👒

St. Joseph Vaz: The Pride of Goa and Goa’s First Native Saint

allycaralgoa

Goa, a small state on the western coast of India, has a rich history and heritage that is evident in its architecture, culture, and traditions. One of the most significant contributions of Goa to the world is St. Joseph Vaz, the first and only Goan to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

St. Joseph Vaz was born on April 21, 1651, in Benaulim, a small village in Goa. He was the third of six children born to Cristovao Vaz and Maria de Miranda. Joseph’s parents were devout Catholics who instilled in him a strong faith and values.

Joseph received his early education at the local village school and later studied at the Jesuit College in Rachol, Goa. He was an excellent student and showed a keen interest in theology and philosophy.

Joseph was ordained as a priest in 1676 and soon felt the call to serve as a missionary in Sri Lanka. At the time, Sri Lanka was under Dutch rule, and Catholicism was facing severe persecution. Despite the risks, Joseph traveled to Sri Lanka in 1687, disguising himself as a beggar to avoid detection by the Dutch authorities.

Joseph’s missionary work in Sri Lanka was marked by bravery, perseverance, and selfless service. He learned the local language and customs, and started preaching the Gospel. He established several Catholic churches and communities, and his missionary work flourished despite the persecution.

Joseph Vaz was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1995 and canonized as a saint by Pope Francis in 2015. He is the first and only Goan to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church.

St. Joseph Vaz’s legacy is a testament to his devotion to the faith and his selfless service to humanity. He is revered as a patron saint of Sri Lanka and a model of devotion and perseverance for Catholics around the world.

St. Joseph Vaz is a source of pride for Goa and India. His life and legacy are an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of faith, devotion, and selfless service. As we celebrate the feast of St. Joseph Vaz, let us honor his memory and continue to draw inspiration from his remarkable life and legacy.

Prayer and Reflection

As we reflect on the life and legacy of St. Joseph Vaz, let us pray for the courage and devotion to spread the Gospel, just as he did. May his example inspire us to live our faith with conviction and joy, and may we always remember the sacrifices he made for the sake of the Gospel.

“Dear Lord, we thank you for the example of St. Joseph Vaz, who dedicated his life to spreading your Gospel. May his devotion and perseverance inspire us to live our faith with courage and conviction. Amen.”