No 09 December 2012

SERVANT OF GOD RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS52ND DEATH ANNIVERSARY

LIFE IS SHORT, BUT ETERNITY IS LONG. LET ME WORK WHEN IT IS DAYLIGHT, FOR NIGHT (DEATH)

COMES ON AND THEN ALL WORK WILL CEASE.I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WORK FOR ETERNITY.

God our loving Father, we thank you for choosing your servant Raymond to be your faithful priest and the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. His ardent devotion to the Eucharist, love for the Mother Church, zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel and his compassionate love especially for the poor have borne abundant fruit. Like him may we too in union with Mary, our Mother, become bearers of the Good News.

We humbly implore you Father to grant us this special request through the intercession of your beloved servant Raymond...(mention your request)

Deign O Lord, to grant your beloved servant the honours of the altar for your greater glory and the spreading of the Gospel. Amen.

Glory be...

Prayer for the Beatification of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas

Mangalore16.06.2008

N.B. : Please report any favours or miracles received through the intercession of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas to :

The Vice-Postulator, Cause of Beatification and Canonization of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas, Bethany Convent, Bendur, Mangalore, D.K. 575 002.Ph : 0824 - 2211806; E-mail: raymas@gmail.com; rfcmas@gmail.com

Managing Editor

Sr M Wilberta, BS

Chief Editor

Sr M Lillis, BS

MEMBERS

Rev Fr Joseph Martis

Mr Ivan Saldanha

Sr Miriam, BS

Sr M Theresine, BS

Sr M Rose Margaret, BS

Sr M Jessy Rita, BS

Sr M Virginia, BS

Sr Mary Naulak, BS

Sr M Gracy Bennis BS

ContentsEditorial Board

THE COMPASSIONATE PASTORDECEMBER 2012

1. Editorial 3

2. Becoming ‘RFC’ Today! 5

- Fr Cedric Prakash SJ

3. The Servant of God, Raymond FC

Mascarenhas’ Communion with Saints

and Angels

- Sr Rose Margaret BS 8

4. My Remembrance

- Lilly D’ Souza 21

5. My Remembrance of Mgr RFC

- Sr Paula SA 22

6. Homily Preached by Mgr Denis Prabhu on

the 52nd Death Anniversary of SD Raymond

Mascarenhas 23

7. He is Before My Eyes;

I Still Hear His Slow, Mellow Voice 27

8. My Remembrance of Mgr RFC

- Simon Sylvester Rasquinha 30

9. Memorial to a Memorable Pastor,

Mgr RFC Mascarenhas

- Ivan Saldanha 33

10. My Reminiscence

- Fr GLR Miranda 36

11. Favours Received 41

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INSPIRING SAYINGS OFTHE SERVANT OF GOD

RAYMOND F C MASCARENHAS

“All the little things you do, e.g., an act of charity, ofhumility, patience, or a Hail Mary said well, willpurchase you life everlasting.”

“Whatever you do, do it for life everlasting.”

“The more we love the spirit of mortification, the moreis our responsibility towards silence.”

“During His Passion, Mary was courageous to followJesus, and gaze at her loving Son while standing atthe foot of the Cross.”

“Sufferings are a sign of God’s love for us.”

“Your happy or unhappy eternity hangs on the momentof your death. Nothing in this world matters. It onlymatters how we live and how we die.”

“Pain and love go together. Therefore the greater thelove, the more of pain received.”

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“I pray at least twice a day for the early beatificationof Father Raymond. May he receive the honours of thealtar very soon. May he be declared a saint. May he beknown to the whole world. May all read his name in thespiritual calendar, in Bible diaries by celebrating hisremembrance day as a feast day.”

Thus writes Mr Francis Gonsalves from Belgaum in a letter addressedto the Vice Postulator. He was not known to any one of us personally untilwe received his letter stating that he developed devotion to Mgr RaymondMascarenhas after reading an issue of the Compassionate Pastor which hehappened to find with his parish priest in Belgaum. In his letter he alsoacknowledges the many favours that he has received by praying throughthe intercession of Mgr Raymond. I have referred to the letter of Mr Francisin order to spotlight the diffusing of the fame of sanctity of Mgr Raymondamong common people- a sign of the holiness of the Servant of God, anessential aspect which the Church looks for in beatifying a person.

Belgaum and its neighboring backward villages of North Karnataka werethe favourite and oft visited mission areas of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhaswherein he had sent forth Bethany Sisters in the early forties to work incollaboration with the Jesuit missionaries. The houses of the people wherethe Sisters used to halt during their mission tours in those years resembledthe grotto of Bethlehem in its poverty and obscurity. Even now it is notmuch different. Sisters moving out of the convent structures engaging inthe faith formation of the families, was unthinkable and unheard of in thoseyears. Twenty years before the Vatican II, Mgr Raymond envisaged a religiouslife that would adapt itself to the needs of the people and mission. Belgaummission was just one of the numerous mission areas that Mgr Raymond choseto incarnate the compassionate love of Jesus in the early forties. In lateforties he pitched a tent among the tribals in Wynad mission of Calicutdiocese through educational and medical activities.

Incarnation! This mystery of Jesus captivated him and fired him intoaction. Tears rolled down from his eyes when he sang the hymn on incarnationwhich he had translated into konkany from Latin. Speaking about the mystery

TRAITS OF INCARNATION EXEMPLIFIED

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Sr M Lillis BSEditor

of Incarnation Mgr Raymond says, “This is a mystery which we cannot fathomwith our finite minds. We require a strong faith in order to have someknowledge of this great truth.”

Undoubtedly, he was gifted with this faith which enabled him to livethis mystery in his day to day life. Whether it was in the villages of SouthKanara, North Karnataka or among the tribals of Wynad in Kerala, his passionwas the spiritual formation of the people besides social and economic uplift.

In this issue of the Compassionate Pastor some of the writers reminiscehow Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas incarnated God’s love in their lives and howtheir personal life was lighted up by his exemplary life. Fr Frank Mathias SJ anoctogenarian says, “ I still hear his slow and mellow voice. He is before myeyes.” Fr Cedric Prakash in his article, invites us to become like ‘RFC’ byemulating this great man’s urge for reformation, faith in God, and courage.The late Fr Gerald LR Miranda presents a picturesque narration of the life ofthe Servant of God highlighting his multifaceted personality, especially hisapostolic zeal and Christ- like relationship with various categories of peopleincluding his cook and sacristan. Exemplifying the Servant of God as a fatherof the poor, the late Mr Simon Rasquina gratefully acknowledges that hewas a builder of people; Mr Rasquina was one of the beneficiaries of MgrRaymond who got books while he was a student.

Sr Paula SA, and Mrs Lilly D’ Souza who were students in Bethany schoolshighlight the fatherly affection of Mgr Raymond towards the children.Recollections of Ms Lucie Suares compiled by Mr Ivan Saldanha underscoresthe humaneness of the Servant of God and the impact of his sermons andretreats in her personal life of faith. She is also touched by his compassion,pastoral depth, as well as the trust his parish flock placed in him.

Sr Rose Margaret expounds at length the connectedness of the Servantof God with saints and angels, springing from his deep spirituality anchoredin the Holy Trinity. There are a good number of people acknowledging thefavours received through the intercession of the Servant of God. All thearticles echo the story of the allmighty God entering into human lives throughthe instrumentality of the holy priest, Servant of God Mgr RaymondMascarenhas reconciling people with God and with one another.

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BECOMING ‘RFC’ TODAY!

Fr Cedric Prakash SJ belongs to the Gujarat Jesuit

Province. He is the great grand nephew of SD

Raymond Mascarenhas and currently the Director of

PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad based Jesuit Centre for

Human Rights, Justice and Peace. He, being the great

grandnephew of SD Raymond, one can find in him

similar qualities and virtues that we find in the Servant

of God.

In this article he draws a parallel between Blessed John XXIII, the architect

of Vatican II and RFC who lived the spirit of Vatican II even before it

arrived. He invites the readers to be RFCs in today‘s world.

Fr Cedric Prakash SJ

On October 28th, 1958, Angello Cardinal Roncalli was elected to headthe Catholic Church as Pope John XXIII. Everyone thought that he would bea “caretaker Pope”. He proved everyone wrong as one of the first things hedid was to open the doors and windows of the Church to a new reformationas he ushered in the Second Vatican Council on October 11th, 1962. Today,as we commemorate the Golden Year of this great Council, we rememberJohn XXIII for being a reformist and particularly for his deep faith and unbridledcourage.

It is significant though, that just as Pope John XXIII began to initiate theprocess of Vatican II, far away in distant Mangalore lived another greatpersonality, who in more ways than one epitomized the spirit of Vatican II: ofreform, of faith and of courage. The striking parallels between Blessed PopeJohn XXIII and Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas are simply amazing! MgrMascarenhas died on 23rd December, 1960 and was not on this earth whenChurch bells all over the world pealed to announce the opening of Vatican II,but surely for those who knew him then, and those who are in touch withthe rich legacy he left to Church and Society, he surely would have beensaying from up there, “Thank God for John XXIII, it’s high time the Churchaccepts what he is doing. I have already treaded that path, many yearsearlier!”

How then today, do we look on a person who was a visionary and aprophet; someone who was truly ahead of his times?

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Reformation

Reading the life of SD Raymond, one is wonder-struck at the way hewent about reforming society even as a young parish priest. He was convincedabout two things – that education was of paramount importance to thoseentrusted to his care and secondly, the top priority in all his concerns werethe poor and particularly the girl child. So, in a world which was highly patriarchaland which did not believe in the real empowerment of the poor, hesystematically went on dismantling these two fortified structures.

To be a reformer is not easy. John XXIII had a tough time and so did StTeresa of Avila; but SD Raymond did not allow the opposition to get thebetter of him. He continued relentlessly, which ultimately saw the birth ofthe Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany on 16th July,1921.

As a true reformer, he left no stone unturned to communicate God’sword and his own convictions by his brilliant preaching and incisive writings.More than fifty years ago, he was already regarded by the well known DiocesanKonkani weekly ‘The Raknno’ as an ‘Apostle of the Print Media’. Quite arecognition for a person, at that time!

In 1949, he had already translated the four Gospels into Konkani, and in1952, he completed the whole New Testament; besides his constant lettersto his own Sisters and to people all over, today compile a treasure from aperson endowed with wisdom and with grace and someone who could thinkfar ahead of his times.

Faith

On October 11th, 2011, when Pope Benedict XVI announced the ‘Yearof Faith’ (beginning October 12th, 2012, the fiftieth anniversary of the openingof Second Vatican Council) through his Apostolic letter ‘Porta Fidei’, he veryemphatically wrote, “We want this Year to arouse in every believer theaspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, withconfidence and hope. It will also be a good opportunity to intensify thecelebration of the faith in the liturgy, especially in the Eucharist which is “thesummit towards which the activity of the Church is directed;...and also thesource from which all its power flows.”

These words of our Holy Father were exactly what SD Raymond lived hiswhole life. He was a man of deep faith and was able to manifest it in a myriad

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ways, very specially in a life focused totally on the Eucharist. He used tospend long hours in front of the Blessed Sacrament and this devotion wasindeed contagious, not merely among the Sisters around but also among thelaity he interacted with.

On his death, the one response that several people in Mangalore wereheard to say was “He was indeed a holy Priest!”

At the end of the Apostolic letter, Pope Benedict urges all to “let usentrust this time of grace to the Mother of God, proclaimed ‘Blessed becauseshe believed.” SD Raymond was characterized by his great love for Mary, ourMother. Her feasts were celebrated with special devotion by him and hisSisters. The recitation of the Rosary was his favorite prayer at anytime andanywhere. The faith of Mary became the hallmark of Bethany when he wantedthat the Sisters adopt her response to the angel ‘Behold the handmaid ofthe Lord’ as an ideal and as a motto for the Congregation.

SD Raymond personified faith. He knew he would attain his goals only ifhe totally trusted in Jesus and his Mother.

Courage

A prophet is one because he wants to reform and renew. He truststotally in God, and because of this, he has the courage to walk the talk. OnOctober 28th, 2012, at the conclusion of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Benedictreferred to Bartimaeus, the blind man who had the courage to cry out andrepeated his cry even louder. Jesus ultimately heard him and he was healed;but the fact remains that because of his faith, the blind man was not afraid tobe heard by others too.

SD Raymond demonstrated tremendous courage in his lifetime. It wasnot easy for him to put into action his many dreams. There were manydifficulties in his pastoral, social and educational activities. But he was convincedthat if he had to bring God’s healing touch into his world, he had to fear nomortal being. He suffered a great deal, but truly did not count the cost. LikePope John XXIII, he believed that he was a man sent on a mission and he hadto realise this mission in his lifetime.

Today as we celebrate the memory of this great human being, let uspray that like him, we may truly be Reformed persons of deep Faith and withgreat Courage. Let us pray to SD Raymond and try to be RFCs in today’sworld and specially in this ‘Year of Faith’.

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Sr Rose Margaret BS is a well-known sister ofBethany, having vast experiences in the fields ofeducation, social work, vocation animation andadministration. Through her work for the Cause ofSD Raymond FC Mascarenhas, she keeps discoveringnew aspects of his personality which she wishes tohighlight for the benefit of the readers. In this articleshe speaks about the role of the saints and angels inthe life and spirituality of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas.

The practice of veneration of the saints is rooted in the Catholic

understanding of the Church as a Communion of Saints. The Catholic

Encyclopaedia concisely describes it in this way: "The communion of saints is

the spiritual solidarity which binds together the faithful on earth, the souls in

purgatory, and the saints in heaven in the organic unity of the same mystical

body under Christ its head, and in a constant interchange of

supernatural offices.” 1

Mgr Raymond, who burned with zeal for the kingdom sought for spiritual

strength in the communion of Saints and devotion to Angels and had the

companionship through their intercession and sure support in all his

undertakings. “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will

walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas: Three Patron Saints!!!

The concept of Patron Saints was developed in the Middle Ages, first in

Germany and France and then it spread throughout Europe and beyond.

Children would be named after saints at baptism, and the saint would become

a special patron of the person for guidance and protection.

1 confessionsofadoubtingthomas.blogspot.com/…/communion –of-saints, Monday,July 30, 2007

THE SERVANT OF GOD, RAYMOND FCMASCARENHAS’ COMMUNION WITH

SAINTS AND ANGELS

Sr RoseMargaret BS

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In the later ages places or cities were named after a particular saint, and

saints came to be named as patron of specific careers or aspects of life. This

patronage is usually rooted in what the saint did or accomplished in life.

Devotion to Mary our Blessed Mother and saints was a specialty in the life of

our Founder, RFC Mascarenhas too. He was a child of the 19th century when

these devotions were popular.

A pertinent question, “Why did Mgr Raymond have three Patron Saints?”

arise in our minds as we read the life of the Servant of God Raymond

FC Mascarenhas. People have their own reasons for choosing a certain saint

as their patron besides the name given at Baptism by the parents. It’s

interesting to read how Fr Mascarenhas derived these names.

Raymond was the seventh of the thirteen children born to Lazarus and

Joanna Mascarenhas on 23 January 1875 at Shimoga on the feast of St

Raymond Pennafort, a Saturday and a day consecrated to Mother Mary. In

the pre-Vatican years the feast of St Raymond was celebrated on January 23.

On the 27th of the same month Raymond was baptized at the Sacred Heart

Church, Shimoga and was given the name Raymond Camillus.

His upbringing in an atmosphere of piety and devotion instilled in Raymond

a desire to consecrate himself to God as a priest. Sr Specula in her reminiscence

of Mgr Raymond writes, "While he was in the Seminary, he was not able to

sing properly. So he prayed to God through St Francis Xavier to give him the

voice enough to sing during the Holy Mass.”2 He vowed, that if this favour

was granted he would add “Francis” to his baptismal name as a constant

reminder of the favour. His prayer was heard and ‘Francis’ became his middle

name. From then on he was known as Raymond Francis Camillus or familiarly

RFC Mascarenhas.3

In the Footsteps of his Patron Saints:

St Raymond of Pennafort: From the life of St Raymond, the Servant

of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas perceived a tender love and devotion to

the Blessed Mother. In imitation of his Patron Saint, day by day Raymond

nurtured filial devotion to Mother Mary, the mother of all saints. He honoured

her as the worthy Mother of God and the masterpiece of grace, meditated

2 M Specula, BS, Memories on Raymond, 14.8.20023 D’Souza, Violette BS, Unless the Seed Die, 1985, 10

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on her virtues, her privileges and her actions, and contemplated her sublime

dignity, offering her the acts of love, praise and gratitude.

St Francis Xavier: Fr RFC Mascarenhas had a great fascination for the

life of this pioneering Christian missionary, who was animated with glowing

zeal for souls. His efforts in the missionary work left a significant impression

upon Raymond. Raymond Francis possessed the energy and zeal of a true

apostle for whom the life of Christ burned brightly. Like his chosen patron

saint, St Francis Xavier, the dominant passion of his entire life was, “Give me

souls, take away all else!” He laboured to make Jesus Christ known and loved,

and His kingdom extended. While he was at Udyavar from 1903-1910, he

built a magnificent church and dedicated it to St Francis Xavier as a

remembrance of the favour received through this great Saint.

Fired by the zeal of St Francis Xavier, his activities were not restricted to

pastoral work alone. The zealous priest worked in the interior areas of Udyavar,

Agrar, Kallianpur and Bendur, identifying with the poor, visiting their homes

and offering spiritual aid and solace to them. As a good shepherd he sacrificed

his life for the flock entrusted to his care. Such was the burning zeal of this

versatile personality.

St Camillus: It is not known why the parents of Raymond at his Baptism

on 27th January 1875, added ‘Camillus‘ to his name. St Camillus was born on

25 May 1550 and died on 14 July, 1614. Hence, the day of Raymond‘s baptism

was neither the birthday nor the death anniversary of St Camillus. St Camillus

was the Founder of the Order of the Servants of the Sick (also known as

Ministers of the Infirm, and Fathers of Good Death) who naturally, cared for

the sick both in hospital and homes. St Camillus honoured the sick as living

images of Christ.

St Camillus’ love for the sick and the dying stirred the Servant of God

Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas to be a compassionate pastor to care

for his parishioners in their dire need. As a pastor, Father Mascarenhas visited

the sick and the sorrowing in their homes. At Udyavar, epidemics of small-pox

and cholera were a common occurrence. During those years people of the

place became victims to these terrible diseases. Father Mascarenhas was a

father and a doctor to them.

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St Raymond of Pennafort, St Francis Xavier and St Camillus, the Patron

Saints of the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas, played a crucial role in his

spiritual and missionary life. He imitated St Raymond of Pennafort in his love

for Mother Mary, St Francis Xavier, to save souls and to be a missionary with

burning zeal in his pastoral activities, and St Camillus, to be a compassionate

father and pastor to all those who suffer. His devotion to these saints was so

great that he got their pictures painted on the walls of the magnificent

Bethany Motherhouse chapel among other splendid paintings. They are the

irreversible memento of the Founder to Bethany, his “joy and crown.”

Walking in the footsteps of his patron saints, St Raymond, the Founder

of the Dominican Order of Our Lady of Ransom, and St Camillus, the Founder

of the Order of the Servants of the Sick, Mgr Raymond founded the

Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Jesus, on 16th July 1921,

and made Mother Mary the Primary Patroness of the Institute.

In honour of the saints, Mgr Raymond wrote prayers, novenas, and litanies;

composed and translated hymns and prayers of the saints, for particular

occasions. He erected statues of the saints, got the images painted on the

walls of the Chapel.

Truly the Servant of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas had a great attraction

towards saints and an aspiration to be numbered among them some day. He

endeavoured to grow in holiness and endured trials and tribulations, sufferings

and humiliations for the greater glory of God. He would never let pass an

opportunity to share his reflections on the lives of saints on All Saints Day to

his spiritual daughters and encourage them to follow their example.

Paintings of his Patron Saints in the Motherhouse Chapel, Bendur, Mangalore

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On 1st November 1942, on the feast of All Saints, in his exhortation to

Bethany Sisters he said: "Let us look at the inhabitants of heaven. There are

the angels the magnificent creatures of God. Then there are the saints- men

like us, possessing the same human nature, its faults and weaknesses. It is an

honoured group, a privileged group, a favourite group to Jesus, to Mary and

the Most Holy Trinity. They have overcome their nature, and today, they are

enjoying God, the fruit of all their labours.”4

In his life time, the Servant of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas had devotion

to many saints. Besides Mother Mary and his patron saints, he imitated the

virtues and dispositions of his models: St Joseph, St Therese of Lisieux, the

Saints of Bethany, St John Bosco, St Vincent de Paul, St Berchmans,

St Ignatius of Loyola, St Sebastian and St John Eudes.

St Joseph: In St Joseph, the Servant of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas

found an inspiring model. He regarded him and lovingly called him ‘the Father

and Protector of Bethany.‘ It was after praying to St Joseph, the Founder

felt, that many of Bethany’s problems were solved and petitions were granted.

The preliminary preparation for his great work of founding Bethany was taken

on the feast of St Joseph. i.e., he succeeded in procuring a property with a

newly built house in it. It was the hope of all present, that the small property

would serve the purpose of the work thus begun under the auspices of

St Joseph on his feast day.

Mgr Raymond wanted the sisters to begin their day’s work by invoking

St Joseph, the model of workers so that they work in a spirit of love and

service; strive dutifully and conscientiously to fulfill their task for the benefit of

others and attain their reward at the hour of their death.

Even today we can feel the powerful protection of St Joseph in the

whole campus of Bethany Motherhouse. The imposing shrine in the plot

acquired through the intercession of St Joseph surrounded by the canopy of

creepers and greenery all around, has been our armour of refuge and strength.

St Therese of Lisieux : St Therese of the Child Jesus known as ‘the

Little Flower of Jesus’ died in Lisieux, France, in 1897, at the age of 24, about

two and a half years before the priestly ordination of Raymond on March 4,

4 Bertha, BS, From the Lips of the Founder,1996, 290

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1900 at the age of 25. Mgr Raymond became greatly devoted to this young

Carmelite, even before the Church pronounced her holiness. When Bethany

was founded on 16th July 1921, Therese was not even beatified. Therefore

he could not call them ‘Sisters of St Therese or Blessed Therese.’ He simply

named them ‘Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany.’ He says, "She had

helped me in a manner most wonderful in the founding of this institute even

before she was canonized.”5

He presented her as the second patroness to the Bethany Sisters,

because of the simplicity of her spirituality spelt out in her Little Way of

Spiritual Childhood. He says, “Bethany Sisters would find in her a model to

inspire them in their missionary zeal”6 and he asked them to invoke her as

‘Little Sister of the Missionaries.’

Writing to Sr Concilia why he chose the Little Flower as the second

patroness of the Bethany Institute, he vividly explains:"If Therese Martin of

Lisieux was still living today, I would advise all my children of Bethany, who

wish to see a saint to go and see her now and then. If you want to see a

saint, you certainly have to be very attentive and be “sharp-eyed” otherwise

you can pass by a saint without realizing it. This is what happened with

Therese: most of the sisters who lived with her in Carmel, never suspected

that they were living with a saint, perhaps the greatest saint of our modern

times...

Now if you want a specific and easy way to find address, I can give you

one: that of Therese of the Child Jesus. Call her; she is prompt in answering

Statue of St Therese Below the Altar ofBethany Motherhouse Chapel, Bendur, Mangalore

5 D’Souza Violette, “Fr Mascarenhas and His devotions,” 53.6 Ibid

14

her calls. Pray to her, ask her for a grace or tell her that you would like to

meet her.” 7

He further writes of the assurance he received from St Therese of Lisieux

on his death bed, “When I was about to enter into eternal life, and at times

when I felt anxious about Bethany and my children, Therese was often beside

me to console me; and one day, she said to me in a soothing and reassuring

tone: ‘Raymond, do not worry about Bethany and your Bethany daughters.

They may be your children; but they are also my sisters and very dear to me.

From the time you confided them to me and to my care by making me their

patroness, I have adopted them all, and never ceased to love them as my

sisters… all of them, yes everyone of them is precious to me. I will do all I can

to help them to become saints like me. I will keep reminding Therese that

you are counting on her help, and as far as I am concerned, your Father

Founder is watching over you.” 8

Bethany Saints: The life of the Servant of God, Raymond Francis

Camillus Mascarenhas, was rooted in the word of God. He derived inspiration

and insights from the Bible in all his new ventures. His great attraction was

‘The house of Bethany’ and the exemplary life of its inmates- Mary, Martha

and Lazarus, mentioned in Luke 10: 38-42. He was often seen “sitting at His

feet” facing the Blessed Sacrament, listening and reflecting on His Word and

praying to enable him to choose the better part which no one would take

away from him. He cultivated an exclusive attachment to Jesus derived from

his deep personal prayer which compelled him to lead Bethany Sisters to be

contemplative apostles filled with faith, hope and love.

Mgr William Gonsalves, sharing his insight on Mgr Raymond states,“For

me the naming of the Congregation “Bethany” flows from his love for the

Eucharist. He, I feel, wanted every Bethany community to be the house of

the Lord and a living host of His. Perhaps in his vision he wanted the spirituality

of the Congregation based on the Bethany of Gospel fame- Love and friendship

with Jesus, as found in the Gospel story of Bethany to be the hall mark of

Bethanites.”9

7 Letter of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas to Sr Concilia.8 Ibid9 Mgr William Gonsalves,“Memories on Mgr Raymond” 24.07.2002

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The Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas, in his letter to The Most

Rev Leo Peter Kierkels C P, the Apostolic Delegate of India, while in Rome, on

12 September 1936, states, "My first request is regarding the petition which

I had submitted to the Holy See to obtain a Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ in

Bethany, the Titular of the Bethany Sisters’ Chapel, with a proper Mass. He

concludes saying, “Finally, considering the fact that the representation of Our

Lord with Mary and Martha in Bethany, depicting the scene in the Gospel -

Lucas X. 38-42, is honoured on the altar of the Motherhouse Chapel, will be

the principal feast of Bethany. We beg of Your Excellency to obtain what

privileges you can to help our devotion in this matter.”10

St Sebastian: On August 23, 1914, at the special request of the

people of Bendur, Father Raymond Mascarenhas was appointed as the first

pastor of the newly constituted Parish at Bendur. Epidemics of small-pox and

cholera were common occurrence in South Kanara in the first half of the 20th

Century. Many became victims of these terrible diseases. The Servant of God,

who was a loving pastor and a compassionate doctor to the flock entrusted

to his care, could not bear to see the sufferings of his people. He placed the

newly constructed Bendur Church under the patronage of St Sebastian and

named the first child baptized by him Lawrence Sebastian Pais. He had great

faith in the intercession of St Sebastian, the patron of archers, athletes,

soldiers and declared patron of plague sufferers and of his reported cures of

those afflicted with many diseases. He composed a hymn in honour of the

Patron Saint of the Parish: ‘St Sebastian Soldier Saint.’

St John Berchmans: In his exhortation on 12.8.1940, Fr Raymond,

enlightened the sisters on the life of St John Berchmans saying, "In the lives

of Saints there is no life as perfect and charming as that of St John Berchmans.

His life was challenging- just for this reason –an extraordinary fidelity to things,

to ordinary duties of life. Only as a scholastic of the Society of Jesus, he

attained the summit of sanctity within a space of five years. Sanctity consists

in little things. He understood this and lived up to this principle.” 11 The Servant

of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas who admired the sanctity of St John

Berchmans, started the Sodality of the Altar Boys in Bendur Parish under the

patronage of the youthful saint.

1 0 Letter of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas to the Most Rev Leo Peter Kierkels C P, the ApostolicDelegate of India, 12. 9. 1936

1 1 Bertha, BS, From the Lips of the Founder 1996, 13

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St Don Bosco: The Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas, admired

St Don Bosco’s capacity to attract numerous boys and bring about a

transformation in their lives. Like Don Bosco his favourite saint, he believed

education to be a “matter of the heart”, and the children must not only be

loved, but know that they are loved. He was much against giving corporal

punishment to children.

Sr Theresine BS, from her personal experience speaks about the motive

of the Founder in helping a boy called Leo. "We knew the fact from early

days that Fr Founder adopted Leo and offered to educate him with the hope

that one day he would become a priest. But the boy’s interest turned out to

be different and he proved to be a failure. Instead of being discouraged by

this disappointment he prayed for him and prayed with him, especially to St

Don Bosco, his favourite saint.”12

Sr Violette BS in her book Unless the Seed Die writes: "He wore a medal

on his watch chain ever since he attended the canonization ceremonies for

Don Bosco in Rome. On one side was the engraving of Don Bosco, his model,

and the other side was that of Holy Father Pope Pius XI. Father Mascarenhas

was nicknamed, “The Don Bosco of India.”13

St Ignatius of Loyola: Mgr Raymond was inspired by the works and

spirit of St Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, whom he

admired and tried to imitate. Having been guided by the Jesuits in the school

and seminary, the Ignatian spirit fired him with zeal to work for the Kingdom

of God out of an intense personal love for Jesus. This he tried to pass on to

his spiritual daughters by modeling their original constitutions on those of the

Society of Jesus, although he adapted them to the needs of women and of

a missionary country.

Mgr Raymond was a man of God. He was deeply spiritual and had personal

love for Christ, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Eucharist. He

constantly endeavored to practice heroic virtues of charity and zeal for souls.

He would exhort his spiritual daughters to give first place to God and please

Him alone.

1 2 Theresine, BS, “Memories on Mgr Raymond”, 23.8.20051 3 D’Souza, Violette, BS., Unless the Seed Die, 1985, 62 Bethany Gerneralate Archives.

17

St John Eudes: Mgr Raymond had a great esteem for St John Eudes,

who founded the Congregation of Jesus and Mary (The Eudist). St John

Eudes had great devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Holy Heart of

Mary, and popularized “The Devotion to the Adorable Heart of Jesus” and

“The Admirable Heart of the Most Holy Mother of God.” He was canonized in

1925. The profound devotion of Mgr Raymond to the Heart of Jesus and

Mary impelled him to dedicate the newly opened convent at West Hill, Calicut,

to St John Eudes.

Relics of the Saints: Relics remind us of the holiness of a saint and his/

her cooperation in God’s work. At the same time, relics inspire us to ask for

the prayers of that saint and to beg the grace of God to live the same kind of

faith-filled life.

The Servant of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas who venerated the saints

and constantly emulated their life had a fervent belief in the doctrines of the

Catholic faith as regard to the relics of the saints. He believed in everlasting

life for those who have obediently witnessed to Christ and His Holy Gospel

here on earth, the truth of the resurrection of the body for all persons on

the last day, the doctrine of the splendor of the human body and the respect

which all should show toward the bodies of both the living and the deceased.

He was convinced of the intercessory power which the saints enjoy in heaven

because of their intimate relationship with Christ the King. This deep-seated

belief urged him to procure the relics of the saints from the holy places as his

treasured possession.

In his letter to The Most Rev Leo Peter Kierkels CP, the Apostolic Delegate

of India who was in Rome, in September 1936, Mgr RFC Mascarenhas made

three requests. He writes, “My second request is to obtain some relics for the

Bethany chapel. When I went to Europe during the second pilgrimage, I was

greatly moved to see the abundance of relics in the different sacred places.

I was particularly touched to see with what zeal and devotion St John Bosco

had gathered relics for his Church of Our Lady Help of Christians. I feel great

desire to have a few relics for the new chapel of Bethany. Its altar is particularly

constructed to have relics under it. Their veneration will help much the piety

of the sisters. I only beg of Your Excellency to bear in mind this desire of mine

when it can be fulfilled without inconvenience.” 14

1 4 Letter of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas to the Most Rev Leo Peter Kierkels C P, theApostolic Delegate of India, 12. 9. 1936,

18

Devotion to Holy Souls: Raymond Mascarenhas had tremendous faith

in Christian meaning of death, immortality of souls and resurrection. In his

exhortation on 1st November 1940 on ‘Devotion To The Holy Souls’ he

recommended to the sisters to have sincere devotion and weekly prayers for

the souls in purgatory so that the Holy Souls may see God face to face and

praise Him for all eternity. Through this devotion he urged the sisters to

acquire perfection, greater love of God and accumulate merits for heaven.15

Devotion to Holy Angels: He had great devotion to Holy Angels and

Archangels –Gabriel, Michael, and Raphael. He sought their protection, guidance

and enlightenment in his important works, travels and in his solitary moments.

He invoked Michael in his sufferings, misunderstandings, abandonment and

temptations and when he had to wage a battle to conquer his self, and

Raphael for healing and deliverance in times of epidemics. A statue of

St Michael was erected in the centre of the garden at the Motherhouse

which at present is placed near the Chapel of the Motherhouse.

Sr Leonie, on her visit to father’s cottage one day, found him alone at

his writing desk and said to him, “Father, don’t you feel bored to be alone?”

At once he looked up with a broad smile and said, “I am not alone. The Holy

Trinity, Our Lady and my Guardian Angel, are always with me.” 16 He composed

hymns and prayers in English and Konkani. ‘Sing with us Angel Bands’ ‘Yeya

thar Anjano’ & ‘Sargi Badvo Ailo Devon.’ He erected beautiful images of Holy

Angels in Bethany Motherhouse chapel and in the churches he built at Udyavar

and Bendur.

As Father was in the act of translating the four Gospels into Konkani, one

day Sr Poma, coming over to Bethany from Kinnigoly, asked him, ‘Every time

I come to you, I see you writing. I wonder what you write!’ He immediately

replied, ‘I am earning for Eternity, my child!’17

Conclusion: Sr Poma BS, sharing her reflections on the life of Mgr

Raymond Mascarenhas on 2.2.1998 writes: "One night when Sr Stella and I

(Sr Poma) were saying his favourite prayers, he suddenly sat up and asked,

“Will I go to heaven?” Sr Stella said, “Not only you will go to heaven, but you’ll

1 5 Bertha, BS From the Lips of the Founder,1996 , 411 6 Ibid, 3001 7 Ibid, 298

19

be a great saint and people will scrape the mud of your house and take as

relic. He was happy and slept.”18

Let me conclude in the words of Fr Godfrey L A Saldhana dated 2.8.2002

who summarises his childhood memories of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas and states,

"He was one of the greatest leaders of his times in the Diocese of Mangalore,

a zealous apostle, a holy priest, a courageous soldier in the army of the kingdom

of God with a daring spirit that is unparalleled, exemplary man of prayer, a

great devotee of Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God; above all a gentle

human person. “Be human, Be Holy” must have been the motto of his life.

He further writes, “All humans have weaknesses and Mgr Raymond was

not an exception to it. But only against the background of human weaknesses

the virtues and sterling qualities of a great person shine and come into relief

as against a black colour background the white blot of human shortcomings

he was no doubt a leader of his times par excellence.”19

Recollecting the sweet memories of Mgr Raymond, Sr Euphrasia BS in

her testimony writes, “When I went to him with some difficulty in my religious

life he said, ‘Child, don’t be afraid. Our Lady is with you, I’m also with you.

She’ll not let you down or me. But pray for me and send me to heaven. Just

because I’m Father Founder I will not be going to heaven. My children should

pray for me and send me to heaven.’”20

Through the intercession of ‘All the Saints and Angels’ we pray to God,

the Almighty, that the desire, passion and aspiration of Servant of God,

Raymond FC Mascarenhas to be numbered among the saints be granted.

1 8 Sr Poma, BS, “Memories on Mgr Raymond”, 2.2.1998.1 9 Godfrey L A Saldhana,(Fr) “Memories on Mgr Raymond”, 2.8.2002.2 0 M Euphrasia BS,Memories on Mgr Raymond, 23.8.2002.

20

Bibliography

D’Souza, Violette BS, Unless The Seed Die, A Brief Sketch of Mgr RFC

Mascarenhas, Bethany Publications, Mangalore, 1985

Bertha, BS, From The Lips Of The Founder, Bethany Publications, Mangalore.

1996

D’Souza Violette BS, Reminiscing in Tranqulity Manuscript, Bethany Generalate

Archives, Mangalore

Letter of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas to Sr Concilia, No date, Christ King Archives,

Guledgudd

Letter of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas to The Most Rev Leo Peter Kierkels CP, the

Apostolic Delegate of India, 12.9.1936

Theresine, BS, Memories on Mgr Raymond 23.8.2005, Unpublished, Bethany

Generalate Archives, Mangalore

M Specula BS, Memories on Mgr Raymond, 14.8.2002, Unpublished, Bethany

Generalate Archives, Mangalore

Mgr William Gonsalves, Memories on Mgr Raymond 24.07.02 Unpublished,

Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore

Fr Godfrey L A Saldhana, Memories on Mgr Raymond. 2.8.2002, Unpublished,

Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore

M Euphrasia BS, Memories on Mgr Raymond, 23.8.2002, Unpublished, Bethany

Generalate Archives, Mangalore

Confessionsofdoubtingthomas.blogspot.com/…/communion-of-saints. Monday,

July 30, 2007

21

MY REMEMBRANCE

ªÉÆeÉA £ÁAªï °°è r’¸ÉÆÃd. ªÉÆeÉA d£À£ï27-3-1936ªÉgï ªÀÄqÀAvÁågÁAvï eÁ ÉA. ªÀÄíeÉÆ ¨Á¥ÀÅAiÀiïPeter D’Souza D¤ Magdaline ºÁAZÁ 10 duÁA sÀÄUÁåðA¥ÉÊQ ªÀiÁ®Ïr.

ªÉÄnæPï ²PÁ¥ï §AmÁé¼ï SVS High SchoolAvïÀA¥ÀAiÀÄÛZïÑ, ªÀÄíeÁå ¨Á¥ÁAiÀiïß Embroidery D¤ Needle

work ²PÁà SÁwgï St Martha‘s Industrial SchoolAvï1950Avï ¨sÀwð PɯÉA. ºÁAªï D¤ ZÉƪÁÎA duÁA ºÉƸÉÖ¯ÁAvï eɪÁÚPïD¸ï¯Áè÷åAªï. D«Ä zsÀ£ÀàgÁA eɪÁÚPï AiÉÄvÁ£Á ¥ÁzÁæ÷å¨ÁZÁ WÀÀgÁ PÀqÁÑ÷å£ïAZïÑAiÉÄvÁ¯ÁåAªï. DªÉÄÑA PÀqÉ£ï ¥ÁzÁæ÷å¨ï ªÉÆ ÀÄÛ ªÉÆUÁ£ï G¯ÁÊvÁ ÉÆ. ¥ÁzÁæ÷å¨ï¨Ájà ªÉÆUÁ¼ï D¤ zɪÁ¸ÉÆéuÁZÉÆ. RıÁ¯Á¬Äà vÁAZÉ xÀAAiÀiï D¸ï°è,vÀ±ÉAZïÑ ² ÉÛZÉÆ. D«Ä Photo PÁqÀÄAPï D¥ÀAªïÌ UɯÁè÷åªÉ¼Ágï ªÀÄíeÁå ªÀiÁvÁgÁåaPÀ¸À¯ÁåPï ªÀÄíuï RıÁ¯ÁAiÀiï G®ªïß AiÀiÁ ªÀÄíuÉÆ£ï PÁgÁgï DAiÉÆè. vÀ¸À¯ÉÆ¥ÁzÁæ÷å¨ï ªÉļï¯ÉÆè ºÁAªï ¤eÁ¬ÄÌ sÁV.

ªÀÄíeÉÆ ®Uïß DUÁægÁÑ ²æà Paul Stevan Pinto (DvÁA Rtd Teacher) ºÁZÉ ÁVA8-5-1952 ªÉgï eÁ¯ÉA. DvÁA D«Ä DUÁægÁAvï ªÀ¹Û PÀ£ïð D¸ÁAªï.

(Translation)

My name is Lilly D’ Souza. I was born on 27 March 1936 at Madanthyar. I

am the eldest among the ten children of my parents, Peter and Magdalene

D’ Souza.

After finishing my school at Bantwal SVS High School in 1950, my father

sent me to St Martha’s Industrial School to learn embroidery and needlework.

I and four others were boarders at Bethany. We had to cross the Father’s

cottage when we came for lunch, and Fr RFC used to speak to us lovingly. He

was a devout and loving person. He was also humorous, but disciplined. When

we called him for a photograph, he said that he was old but he was ready and

came with us in the car. I am really glad I had met such a person. I married

Paul Stevan Pinto (now retd teacher) on 8-5-1952 and we are now living at

Agrar.

Lilly D’ Souza

22

MY REMEMBRANCES OFMGR RFC MASCARENHAS

Sr Paula SA, a native of Pallimar, had her primaryeducation at Little Flower School, Kinnigoly and highschool studies at Madelein Convent Mulki. At Kinnigoli,she was a boarder at Maryvale Boarding and had seenand met Mgr RFC Mascarenhas on many occasions.She has some vivid memories of him which she shareswith the readers.

I, Sr Paula, SA (Lucy D’Souza) was born on 19 September, 1932 atPallimar, Mangalore DK. I am now 80 years of age. I had my primary educationat Little Flower School, Kinnigoli from 1938-1946. As my home was far awayfrom the school I stayed in Maryvale Boarding School. During those yearsSister Concilia BS was the boarding mistress.

The memory of Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas is vivid in my mind. FrRaymond, the Founder of Bethany visited Maryvale Convent quite often.The Sisters those days were suffering from Tuberculosis. He had great loveand concern for the ailing sisters. He would spend time with them and prayfor them.

In his regular visits to the convent, he would never forget to visit thepoor children in the hostel. As children we would run to him as we knew hewould always bring eatables for us. He would talk to us, spend his time withus and entertain us lovingly. He had a fatherly and motherly heart towardsthe poor children.

As a young girl, I was touched by his deep love, concern andthoughtfulness. I am doubly happy that I had a chance to study in BethanySchools and had the privilege of seeing and meeting Fr Raymond the Founderof Bethany.

Later on, I continued my High School studies in Madeline Convent,Mulki. After the completion of my High School studies, I joined St Ann’s ofProvidence. I have to my credit BSc, BEd, and MA in English Literature. Iworked as a Headmistress, Superior and Principal in different parts of AndhraPradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Goa.

Presently, I spend my retirement years in St Ann’s Providence Convent,Mangalore. Lately I had a stroke due to which my memory is gradually fadingaway.

Sr Paula SA

23

We heard in the Gospel just proclaimed the thanksgiving hymn of MotherMary when she was given the good news that she would be the mother ofthe second person of the Blessed Trinity. God had worked wonders in herlife. Therefore she was ever grateful to God. She gives a call to everyone ofus to thank God for all the good things he has given to us. Today we call tomind the blessings that God had given to the Servant of God Mgr RFCMascarenhas. Let us therefore thank God for raising our brother to the rankof Servant of God.

Today we remember 52nd Death Anniversary of the Servant of God MgrRFC Mascarenhas, Former Vicar General of the Diocese of Mangalore, a Priest

Mgr Denis Prabhu, Vicar General, Mangalore Dioceseand Director of St Anthony Charitable Institutions,Jeppu, had the rare privilege of hearing about theServant of God Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas fromsomeone who knew him most intimately and lovedhim most dearly-Mgr Marian FC Castelino. Since thenhe has become an ardent admirer of RFC and is agreat supporter of his Cause for Beatification. Hehas contributed to The Compassionate Pastor in the past and the presentarticle is his homily during the 52nd Death Anniversary Mass of SD RaymondMascarenhas at St Sebastian Church, Bendur on 22nd December 2012,in which he was the main celebrant.

HOMILY PREACHED BYMGR DENIS PRABHU

ON THE 52NDDEATH ANNIVERSARY OFSD RAYMOND MASCARENHAS

Mgr Denis Prabhu

24

of the Diocese of Mangalore and the Founder of the Little Flower Sisters ofBethany, Mangalore. We remember our dearly departed even after 100 ofyears for God’s mercy on them. Our prayers going to eternity help our departedfor the remission of their sins. As any human being whether one is a Saint ornot, needs God’s mercy as our departed too shared in our human weaknessesand short comings. In the Gospel of today we are assured by Jesus that afterour sojourn on earth, we enter into eternity and on the judgement day, weshare in the glorious resurrection of Jesus who said “I am the resurrection andthe life. Those who believe in me even though they die, will live, and everyonewho lives and believes in me will never die. When Jesus said this to Martha shesaid to him, “Yes Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, theone coming into the world”. For the believers, death is not an end of life butit is an opening to eternal life. Though death brings a lot of sadness andsorrow for us the faithful, we see another dimension hidden in death.

St Paul writing to Thessalonians states that we should be well informedabout those who have died, so that we may not grieve as others do whohave no hope. He says that the Lord will descend from heaven and the deadin Christ will rise. He will take us to his father and place us on his right and hewill tell us “Come you that are blessed by my father, inherit the kingdomprepared for you from the foundation of the world.” In order to qualify ourselvesfor the reward, Jesus tells us how we should live a life worthy of the reward.All who have satisfied the hunger of the poor and given them the dignity ofa human person, considering that he or she is a part of his humanity, brotheror sister, will be rewarded a hundred fold in the kingdom of heaven.

We are united in Christ in this life; we make Christ as the centre of ourlife trying to imitate him in our life. The life of Jesus was a life of compassion.In the Gospel of St Mark right in the beginning Jesus comes proclaiming thegood news of God saying that the time has come near, and repent and

25

believe in the good news. Luke tells us that he started his ministry bypreaching the word of God and healing their sick. The compassionate Saviourcomplained many a time that the people were like a flock without a shepherd.They used to come in thousands to hear the word of God. They used tobring their sick that Jesus might heal them. Compassionate as he was hepreached to them; forgave their sins and healed all those who came to him.When sinners were scared of him as in the case of Zacchaeus, Jesus himselfmade his approach to them, he waited for sinners like the woman at theJacob’s well to preach for her conversion.

As we offer this Mass and pray for mercy on the Servant of God, werecall to mind the ministry he had in this diocese and elsewhere. He tried toimitate Jesus in his compassion. He received good education both in thefamily and in the school. He gave value to education as he became a priest.He saw the plight of little girls and women in general who did not have basiceducation; they were closed to the world outside. Hence they wereundergoing inhuman sufferings and harassment from every quarter. Unlesssomething was done to reach out education in the remote villages wherethere were no schools, he began to contemplate whether he could getsome dedicated lady teachers to take up this apostolate. There were quitea number of schools in the neighbourhood of Bendur. He started two schoolsimmediately St Margaret Mary at Bendur and St Joseph’s at Kankanady . Godblessed his dreams and desires. Four young ladies came forward to translatehis dreams into action. Then he went on establishing schools in remotevillages inspiring many a young girl to join the band of four and thus furtherthe apostolate of education to girls. He became a Compassionate Pastor tothe people of the Diocese of Mangalore. Which priest or nun or for that

26

matter of fact a lay man or a woman is free from criticism and condemnation forthe good works they do? Who is acclaimed or fully acknowledged for the goodthat is done? Shakespeare rightly said the good that is being done is hidden inthe marrow of bones. The more you become compassionate like Christ, themore you will be resisted and downgraded. This has been in the life of Christ,his followers, Saints and Martyrs. Jesus himself had said this in his saying, “Ifthey had done to me they will do to you too.” Through the Servant of God, arevolution of promoting education in villages to girls was started and it has beenfurthered by the Congregation he has founded. He did not rest awhile orenjoyed a holiday but restlessly he preached the word of God, adored Jesus inthe Eucharist, scrupulously attended to pastoral ministry and tirelessly workedfor the uplift of the section of society which was oppressed and dehumanized.The words of Jesus “I have compassion on these people; was continuouslyringing in the mind of the Servant of God. Today, we see him in the eyes of amodern person who is surrounded by affluency, money, facilities, education,travel to corners of the world and interprets him to be short sighted, hard orperson demanding sacrifices from others, whereas we have to understand thesituation under which the society was groaning and suffering. He was subjectedto it and therefore he wanted to uplift his brethren to the extent he with hisCongregation could do.

May the Servant of God be addressed by the Lord – “Come you that areblessed by my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundationof the world, for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and yougave me clothing, I was sick and you cared for me, I was in prison and youvisited me”. May he merit the words of Jesus “Well done good and trustworthyservant; you have been trustworthy in a few things and I will put you inchargeof many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

When he saw that he and the members of his Congregation had toundergo tribulations and such incidents would mar the life of the Congregation,he did not shut his mouth and pen. He explained to the point that people atlarge would rightly understand. He suffered from various sections of people.He repeatedly said that as he was intimately connected with Bethany, hewould vindicate for the sake of his Congregation. However, the human justiceviewed by divine justice will be found injustice.

May his holy life, lived for God and his people be acknowledged by thelocal Church and the universal Church and the people of God derive inspirationfrom the life of the Servant of God.

27

HE IS BEFORE MY EYES;I STILL HEAR HIS SLOW, MELLOW VOICE

Father, tell us a little bit about yourself.I was born in Poona in 1919. From Poona my family moved to Dharwar and

lived there for a year before settling down in Mangalore. I did my high schooland college studies at St Aloysius, Mangalore.

How did you come to know RFC Mascarenhas?My family settled at Balmatta. When we arrived there, Fr RFC was the

Parish Priest of Bendur which included Balmatta where there were a goodnumber of Catholic families. He had a grievance because we went to theCollege (St Aloysius) for Mass and not to the Parish Church, except on bigoccasions and Feast days.

Please share some of your memories of him.He was a holy man, a man of prayer. I can vividly recall how he stood at the

temporary pulpit he had set up near the St Agnes walls to speak to the people.There was no church building then. People simply flocked to hear him, stoodaround him and listened to him in rapt attention. It was all very impressive.Remember there were no microphones in those days.

I remember the troubles he faced when the girls who joined hisCongregation began to fall sick and die in large numbers-fever, tuberculosis.Oh! It was terrible. He had no place, no money; food and medicine wereinsufficient. People began to talk; parish priests of the girls came to call themback, but the girls refused to return to their homes. I myself had said to mymother, “What is this?” Complaints reached Rome and two Fathers came tocheck what was going on. They wrote their report and RFC was asked to shiftthe girls from there. He didn’t deny the charges. But poor man! Where would

Rev Fr Frank Mathias, SJ belongs to the KarnatakaProvince of the Society of Jesus. As a teenager inBendur Parish, he had closely followed the life andactivities of his Parish Priest SD Raymond Mascarenhas,including the foundation of Bethany and the earlyyears of the Congregation. He is a well knowneducator who has worked in various institutions ofthe Society. At present he lives a retired life at FatimaRetreat House, Jeppu. In November 2012 he sharedwith Sr Mary Naulak BS some of his memories of SDRaymond Mascarenhas and Bethany.

Rev Fr FrankMathias SJ

28

he go? He had no money, nothing, except his trust in God. Finally, he shifted toKaikamba where he had some land given as dowry to one of the Sisters.

How is that you know the Gurpur (Kaikamba) property so well?I used to go there with two of my friends. At that time it was all jungle,

infested with snakes, vipers and other reptiles. No one was going there exceptus. We killed many of them. We used to ride up on our bicycles, visit the pondbelow there, have a bath and return. The property was a dry rocky land. TheSisters and girls started working, dug and planted mangoes, coconuts, chikkoos.It was unthinkable! Starting from that piece of land, RFC gradually acquired theadjoining plots. And he got for low price because it was unwanted land. Theway that campus has come up to this stage! It is purely God‘s work.

You seem to have sympathized with him.Yes, yes. I told my mother, “What is this? That`s not a place to keep so

many young girls”. But she said, “Who are you to question? He is doing God`swork without taking anything from others.”

Truly it is entirely God‘s work. He had nothing, except his trust in God andhis prayers.

There was great opposition and lots of criticisms from the people. Parishpriests and parents came to call back their daughters, but the girls said, “No.”This antagonized parents and the priests. Then, he was told to shift. Butwhere would he go? How would he shift so many people without any money?Poor man! It is entirely God`s work!

Some people might have come forward to help him.Many people had sympathy for him, but they were unable to help. Bendur

was a very poor parish then. Some Fathers from outside came to Mangalore,saw what he had done and were edified. A few sent some financial supporttoo.

Would you say the life of RFC has influenced you at least in some way?Every life was influenced by him- from high school students to college

youth. He was wonderful!

How was he at Mass?It was a joy to attend his Mass, hear his sermons. Solid stuff, given under

such difficulty!

Born of life experience?His life was a sermon.

Any sermon you can recall?He spoke to lay people on their spirituality. The commandments, what

29

and how to teach their children - that sort of thing. Those were the daysbefore the microphone. Yet he could get the people‘s full attention. His voicewas very clear.

Did you have any opportunity to speak to him personally?Yes, yes. His conversations were about spiritual matters. He was not a

man for recreational conversation. He was a reserved man. He was reserved inhis speech.

Father, you seem quite emotional speaking about RFC.He is before my eyes. I still hear his slow, mellow voice (eyes become

moist).

What do you think was the need to found Bethany?To give opportunity to the poor girls for education, and also to embrace

religious life. For girls of higher classes, there were Congregations. RFC wantedto do the same thing for girls of the poorer classes.

Do you have any association with Bethany Sisters?No.

Any relatives in Bethany?No one I can remember. Bethany was an unknown Congregation. It began

with RFC. It came up later, came up very well.

Perhaps your family was in a different rank than that of Bethany.You could say that. Most of my relatives were in Apostolic Carmel. It’s

true.

What about those joining the Jesuits- Were they from the towns orfrom the villages?

Mostly from the town.

What in your opinion is the relevance of Bethany today? Has it madeany difference?

It has made a big difference. It provided opportunities to poor girls foreducation, for training, even sending them to medical schools. Some BethanySisters were my students.

Your advice for Bethany.To continue and increase their work for the poor. To educate, help them

pass and even become doctors. They have brought up the place so nicely withso much sacrifice.

Bethany is born out of sacrifice and prospered with sacrifice.

What a poor life they led in the beginning!

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MY REMEMBRANCE OF MGR RFC

Simon Sylvester Rasquinha (SS Rasquinha) is a wellknown name not only in and around Mangalore, butall over India and even abroad. The founder of Simon& Co, he was a noted artist and sculptor of repute,stage actor, songster and writer. He was one of thefounding members of the Konkani Natak Sabha. Apartfrom these achievements, what made Simon standout was his commitment to Christian values andpractices. He received the Papal Honour BENEMERENTI in 1956. Simon left this world on August 29th 1987. Before that,he had left for us his remembrances of Servant of God RFC Mascarenhaswhose timely intervention in his life, he always acknowledged.This Remembrance was written in 1976 in response to the request of RevMother Marcrina, the Supeiror General.

In 1917, when I was only 7 years old, I saw Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, our

then vicar at Bendur, and received my first Holy Communion from his hands.

In 1921 when I was reading in the II form at the St Sebastian’s Higher

Elementary School, Bendore, we used to see Fr Mascarenhas giving instructions

to four of our lady teachers after class hours in the evenings, in front of the

present open air stage. Three of them I remember to be Miss Gonsalves, Miss

Mathias and the chief among them was my teacher Miss Martha Menezes. At

the time of my completing II Form in March 1922, we learnt that Fr Mascarenhas

has founded a new Congregation of nuns, called the Bethany Sisters, the

first nuns being the four lady teachers mentioned above.

In the initial stage, I heard people talking that the Congregation was

started for the benefit of the poor girls who could not afford to join other

Congregations for want of high education and pay high dowry. In the earlier

years their habit was black robe and a belt at the waist, black veil, a heart

shaped white scarf hanging below the neck and a cross hanging in the neck

on black ribbon. During Mass and festive occasions they used to don a light

blue mantle. The change of habit from black to white now really looks majestic.

Simon SylvesterRasquinha

31

As for the reaction of the then public, I may say that poor people like me

welcomed the new Congregation. I also remember a few people complaining

about the poor diet given to the then sisters. Today we see the Congregation

is not only comprised of poor and less educated but many of them well to do

and very highly educated ladies, post graduates and PHDs and doctors in

medicine too, having so many convents not only in India but even abroad. A

real blessing to our Mangalore diocese!

I am sure there may be some elderly people in Bendore parish who had

seen the beginning of the Bendore parish and had close contact with the

first vicar and the founder of the Bethany Congregation. Mr AR D’Souza may

be the prominent one, having been the Gurkar ever since the death of his

father, and intimately connected with the church and the vicar.

It is Fr Mascarenhas who built the St Joseph’s Elementary School at

Kankanady in the shape of a cross, somewhere about 1920. The 23rd of

January happened to be his birthday, and every year we used to celebrate it

happily.

A good builder, an able administrator and an eloquent preacher was Fr

Mascarenhas, who was appointed the VG of our Diocese and was titled, Rt

Rev Mgr until his death. Mgr Mascarenhas was not only a writer but also a

composer of hymns and prayers. Being a devotee of our Heavenly Mother he

has composed hymns on Our Lady and books too, and his sermons about

Mother Mary were soul stirring. I liked his prayer composed for the Diocesan

Eucharistic Congress held in 1938. It is he who first translated the New

Testament into Konkani.

When he was the vicar of Bendore, he was also a Municipal Councillor for

some years and apart from his parish work he has done much for the city

improvement. Though he was alone, he used to go on his lady‘s cycle visiting

houses right up to Padil the border of the then Bendore Parish. With his half

round glass spectacles, black cassock and white hat, while cycling, his long

beard flowing on both sides, he looked majestic.

In spite of his heavy burden of constructing the new church and running

two schools at Bendur and Kankanady, he had great love for the poor and

helped them. It was he who started the St Vincent de Paul’s Society for the

32

poor and I think it was the first in our Diocese. Many of the young boys of my

time were helped by him for their education. I am proud to say that I am one

of such beneficiaries who got books and school fees free from him, my great

benefactor. The late Bishop Basil Peres, once told me when he was vicar at

Pangala, that but for Mgr Mascarenhas he would not have been a priest of

God. The late Mgr SF Menezes, the first assistant to Fr Mascarenhas, was a

great admirer of the Monsignor and used to speak highly of him always.

Before I conclude, I must say that 22 years ago when the then Crusader

insulted and abusively spoke about our Heavenly Mother near Kankanady

junction, Mgr Mascarenhas arranged to put up or erected the Fatima group,

depicting one of the Apparitions of Our Lady in the eastern wing of the St

Joseph’s Elementary School for the public to view. Our Lady now dominates

where once she was abused.

St Sebastian’s Higher Elementary School at Bendore, St Joseph’s

Elementary School at Kankanady, the Church at Udyavara and the mighty

church at Bendore, and above all his far sighted Congregation of the Sisters

of Bethany will remain everlasting monuments to the memory of our beloved

Mgr Mascarenhas.

Dear Sister Lillis,

I have just read The Compassionate Pastor, July 2012, a

copy of which was sent to me here at DVK, Bangalore, by

Sr Miriam. Thanks to her and congratulations to you, the

Editor. It is well done in outfit and contents. Keep it up!

The ‘Favours Received‘ given on pages 44-46 is

impressive in number; but the three cases on pages 47-48

are more inspiring. Let us hope for a major miracle which can

serve also the cause. Keep well.

Fr George Nedungatt, SJ

CONGRATULATIONS

33

MEMORIAL TO A MEMORABLEPASTOR -MGR RFC MASCARENHAS

(RECOLLECTIONS OF MS LUCIE SUARES)

Ivan Saldanha, a free lance journalist, is one of thosekeenly interested in promoting the Cause ofBeatif ication of Servant of God RaymondMascarenhas. His articles and news items in the newspapers, magazine and bulletins bring to limelight theforgotten personalit ies to the society. Theserecollections of Ms Lucie Suares compiled by Mr Ivanis one such.

Servant of God Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, had done pioneering

work around Mangalore and may be called the ‘Sage’ of Bendur. In the decades

after he set up Bendur Parish from scratch, by choice of the local Catholics,

he developed a close and healthy rapport with the early parishioners and

guided them in several ways on multiple matters. His many humane actions

and interactions with various people in many contexts are beyond imagination.

The episodes narrated here will serve to amply demonstrate Mgr Raymond’s

pastoral depth and compassion as well as the trust of his parish flock earned

at the legendary Bendur. He has, as we see from many documented narrations

and evidences, done a great deal, inspired by his Divine Master – the mark of

a truly humane saintly priest!

Miss Lucie Suares, now 85 years, and not in sound health residing at

Mangalore, by family is connected with Servant of God Mgr Raymond. Her

paternal grandmother Mary Suares (nee’ Mascarenhas: 1864-1892) was the

wife of Joseph Suares (1857-1928), known for his services to Codialbail Press.

Mary was a sister of ECM Mascarenhas, hence is a cousin of Mgr Raymond. I

have made a fair attempt to compile a record here what she and her close

ones have told me over a period of time, in the light of what I understand, by

my association with the history of Mgr Mascarenhas over four years. Being her

sister’s son, I also recall something of what I used to hear from my mother

Ivan Saldanha

34

Marie (1926-2005), my grandmother Bridget (1907-1975) and my grandfather

John (1897-1971). One story that always made a great impression on me

was that my grandmother Bridget, known to all as ‘Bijjie’, whenever she met

Mgr Raymond, would give news of deaths, births, family and so on. It used to

be said that she became known as ‘Gajet Bijjie’ (News paper used to be

called ‘Gajet’ in Konkani); and it was Mgr Mascarenhas who first gave her that

name.

Lucie Suares was

baptized in October

1927 at Bendur church a

few days after her birth,

from what I recall hearing.

Her parents had a good

association with Mgr

Raymond in the time he

was at Bendur (1914-31 &

1941-60), as also when he

was Vicar General (1931-41). My elder brother and I received our First Holy

Communion at St Agnes Chapel in 1953 and 1954 respectively. I vaguely

recollect and have often been told how my grandmother and aunt had taken

us to be blessed by the old sage Mgr Raymond, soon after our First Holy

Communions. Lucie often told me how she was very scared of the long

bearded priest. Whenever she, along with her mother saw Fr Raymond coming

on his bicycle, she would hide behind her mother and refuse to even set eyes

on him. Later this turned into awe and affection for Mgr Raymond. In the late

1940’s when she was preparing to join the Apostolic Carmel where she had

several of her mentors, Mgr Raymond was consulted and his advice carried

weight with her. Lucie used to say that though Mgr Raymond often spoke to

her about Bethany and would ask the sisters to show her the convent, he

always encouraged her vocation and admiration for the Apostolic Carmel as

she was a bright girl though of frail health.

Eventually, she had to give up her vocation due to frail health that is so

till today. However, she remained a spinster, taught in Bangalore and has

Ms Lucie Suares with Mother Teresa

35

done much good in the community in Mangalore. The annual Christmas ‘mobile

crib’ that we often come across today is part of her idea. In the 70s and 80s,

she had done social and religious action for the welfare of different kinds of

people. She has often mentioned that personalities like Mother Teresa, Mgr

Raymond and so on, have been the unseen hands that have supported and

guided her consistently.

Lucie, as well as many family elders frequently recalled how Mgr

Mascarenhas’ sermons and reflective retreats, and the example that his

devotion radiated, had played a great role in their faith and life, as also people

of the surroundings. Lucie often told me that Psalm 23 “The Lord is my

Shepherd and there is nothing I shall want” became her favourite, and

perhaps Mgr Raymond`s words had a role too.

I recall her saying that seeing this holy priest Mgr Raymond at Mass,

benediction and so on brought about a tremendous awe towards the Blessed

Sacrament, Jesus and His divine Mother. She said she was away at Bangalore

and many of her social works had the markings of compassionate persons like

Mgr Raymond in her life. During this time, in December 1960 she heard from

her mother about the saintly priest’s death at Bendur and the extraordinary

funeral that was given to him and the many memorable tributes that were

paid to him. Lucie used to say, “Perhaps it is Mgr Raymond that has led me to

this home under his care, where the Order of nuns that he founded gives me

care and concern at the end of my life. She always indicated to me subtly

that I should write in this regard about my grandparents and family’s admiration

for the charisma of Mgr Mascarenhas. It is only their desire that has translated

into this remembrance for the Cause of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. The sentiments

surfacing here are that of a contemporary family connected with Mgr Raymond.

Unfortunately the physical and mental health of Ms Lucie Suares is such that

she cannot testify, but I have no doubt she would have done so otherwise.

I have total faith that this testimony is from her own heart.

36

MY REMINISCENCE

Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda, a priest of the diocese of Mangalore, parishioner atBendur, was baptized by SD Raymond FC Mascarenhas in April 1915 in theoriginal temporary shed that served as church. In his growing up years hehad keenly observed and followed the life of his vicar whom he admired andintended to imitate. He did eventually become a priest- the first one fromBendur by his account, and served in various parishes of the diocese. Thefollowing is his vivid and colourful reminiscence of the man who inspired himand whose praises he was happy to record before he had passed on in1988.

He worte his reminiscences in response to Superior General Mother Macrina’srequest letter dated 19th Aug 1976.

My first unconscious contact with the Right Reverend Monsignor RaymondFrancis Camillus Mascarenhas, Founder of the Congregation of Bethany underthe title of the Sisters of the Little Flower, was when he was Parish Priest ofthe then newly founded Parish of Saint Sebastian, Bendur, in the Diocese ofMangalore, in August 1914.

He baptized me, in the original temporary shed, in April 1915. I was the27th candidate to be baptized there that year; 30 had been baptized fromAugust 20th 1914 to December 31st 1914. Fr Lawrence Sebastian Pais, wasthe first child to be baptized in the new parish; hence his second name wasthat of the patron of the new parish.

Fr Lawrence Sebastian Pais is credited to be the first fully fledged priestfrom the Bendur parish; actually, that privilege is mine. He was ordained inMarch 1942, I, in June 1940, almost 21 months earlier. I received my FirstHoly Communion at the hands of Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, at the age of 6years and a half. As I grew up, it was my privilege to attend Catechism classesconducted so impressively by the great Monsignor till 1919 or so. MonsignorSylvester F Menezes, as great a scholar and a preacher as Mgr RFC, came ashis assistant.

It was a delight to listen to either of these great Konkani scholars as wellas orators. I still recall some of the sermons and Catechetical lessons of myinfant days. Mgr Mascarenhas was just about 44 years of age then (He was

Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda

37

born in 1875) and Mgr Menezes, around 25, and fresh from the Seminary, notlong after his ordination.

Parish Household Description: I still remember their small parochialhouse, to the right of the present main gate.

There were 4 small rooms; first an oblong and dusty one, where visitorswere occasionally received. It was poorly furnished. The Parish Priest, hisassistant and sacristans kept their bicycles there.

The next room was that of the Parish Priest with a cloister and theassistant‘s was adjacent to it. A fourth room was more of a lumber room,housing an occasional priest, guest, or seminarian, along with the primitivebats, balls, wickets etc., of the parish boys.

There was a front verandah, and one at the back, used for a diningroom. The kitchen and servants’ room were attached to the rear verandah.

Garden: I remember the well by it, now completely filled in with mudand brought to the level of the ground. Some of the coconut trees theredate the parish itself. The orange and other few fruit trees have since yieldedto the axe.

Cook: Monam Tauro was father’s cook at the time. He is happily still withus, for in his eighties, and confined to the house leased to him, on a verynominal rent by the kind hearted Mgr RFC Mascarenhas.

Sexton: The sacristans were Jacob Correa who died only lately, on 1-7-1976, and Piadam who died many years ago.

Mr Jacob Correa cherished the most tender memories of Mgr RFC till hisvery end, 15 and half years after the latter’s death. He was a confirmedbachelor all his life- educating his orphaned brother, nephews and nieces. Hetoo, was a beneficiary of the great Monsignor in more ways than one. He wasalso given a house to occupy in his life time, on a very nominal rent, and thatwas where he died this year. Monam, Jacob and Piadam were a very devotedtrio- almost a homely male brotherhood in their parochial house, though thefirst and third were married, but not Jacob. Monam had a son, and at leastone daughter. Piadam had no children, but adopted one.

Parish extension: Bendur was an extensive parish when it was founded.I don’t think that even Bejey and Bondel, though started earlier as outlyingstations, had parochial status then; they were subsidiaries to the Cathedraland more miles away.

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Roads and Transport: The roads in those days were not tarred, hencevery dusty. Fortunately, the motorized traffic was not even a fraction of itspresent magnitude; bullock-carts and horse-driven jatkas were more inevidence. A pair of sturdy bullocks, or what was even more rare, a pair ofhorses, were a sure sign of affluence amongst the petty top men of thetown.

But, they were blissful days; with no city buses at all; walking three, four,five and more miles to visit relatives and spend a day or more with them, wasa wonderful experience, cementing family bonds. Weariness or fatigue neverregistered themselves, or entered one’s mind, be it young or old.

Monsignor RFC did his parochial rounds on foot when out for houseblessings after Easter. His coming was awaited for days; his arrival was theclimax to our expectations. We would follow him to a few houses in theneighbourhood- a veritable Pied Piper, continually shedding and acquiring histroops. He would fill his foot-long pockets with the sweets offered in thevarious houses. I suppose these were distributed later to his non-followers ofthe day and to the house-bound cook, Monam, and to Jacob or Piadam whoalternated with him on his rounds.

Bicycle Trips: I distinctly remember the Monsignor on his bicycle, hisbeard comparable with that of Moses, was showing slight streaks of grey. Itwould part evenly at the centre as he speeded down the Kadri Temple Road,on the Kadri-Shadi Gudda Road. Joseph Gonsalves, a boyhood companion ofmine, who died later in his mid teens and I, used to imagine ourselvesduplicating the great Monsignor’s cycle rides when we would be priestsourselves. Joseph never realized his dream, and when I realized mine themode of transport had changed to buses and autoricks etc., and the growthof my stunted beard did not follow the great Monsignor’s pattern.

I remember the Monsignor’s Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee in 1925, and stillhave among my belongings a souvenir of the occasion. I was just 10 then,and my only brother, 13. I remember thinking of him as a venerable old man,more patriarchal than Abraham.

I have been always wondering when the idea of starting a ReligiousCongregation for women was first entertained by this fearless founder. Couldit have been already at Udyavar and Fonegol, where he was Parish Priest priorto coming to Bendur, and from where he recruited his Piad and Jacob, whowere to be his life-long companions, the former till his own death, the latter

39

till his benefactor’s death, or better still, till Monsignor Mascarenhas badeadieu to Bendur, in 1931, to lead the Diocese as its Vicar General.

He was a great builder -both of souls and of edifices. To the latter categorybelong the Udyavar church with its appurtenances, the three storied Fonegolpresbytery, the imposing Bendur Church, the various branch houses of Bethanywhich, since his time, have extended some of their buildings unrecognizably.

As a builder of souls too, Mgr Mascarenhas was very unique. His sermons,his instructions were a delight to listen to, and to live by. The new parish ofBendur had suffered from sufficient lack of spiritual nutrition due to its distancefrom its parent churches. It was a time when the Legion of Mary was perhapsnot yet founded, at least it had not reached India. The Capuchin 3rd Order, ifit had existed, had wound away with the departure of the Capuchins. TheCarmelite 3rd Order exacted only the faithful wearing of the Brown Scapularand the recitation of the pertinent prayers, Terce, especially on Saturdays.

Mgr Mascarenhas wasted no time in starting the Altar Boys’ Sodality andthe Sodality of the Immaculate Conception for boys. This was a veritablenursery for vocations to the priesthood, beginning with the 1st prefect- FrBaptist Pinto.

Fr Gratian Rasquinha, the late Fr Alexander D’ Sa, Fr Gilbert Gonsalves, FrJohn Cornelio, Fr Lawrence Sebastian Pais, Frs Gilbert Pinto, Joseph M Lobo(RIP), Cyprian Pinto (RIP), Abundius D‘ Souza, Aloysius Colaco (RIP), ValerianColaco (RIP), Paul Farias (RIP), Albert Nazareth, Mgr Joseph D’ Souza, ofMadras-Mylapore, Fr Thomas A Lobo SJ, Fr Valerian Farias SJ, Fr Aloysius FariasSJ, Fr Edward Mathias, Fr Gratian D’ Souza, John Castelino (RIP), William SequeiraSJ, Fr John Pinto plus Fr Gerald L R Miranda etc., belong to this period besidesseveral others who dropped out for reasons of health, studies etc., or diedprematurely before realizing their goal.

The good seed then sown has flowered in many more vocations insubsequent generations, so much so that, at one time, Bendur led all otherparishes of the Diocese in the number of priestly vocations it had given notonly to Mangalore, but to Mysore, Trichy, Hyderabad, Bombay and severalother far-flung dioceses of the time.

Here it should be mentioned that the late Mgr Alexander Pinto, MgrMarian FC Castelino, Bishop James Mendonca, the 1st secular Bishop ofTrichinopolli, Bishop Basil Salvadore Peres, the 3rd native Bishop of Mangalorewho were just (or had) completed their high school studies were among his

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first recruits to the priesthood. So was the late Fr Ignatius M Fernandes SJ,late superior of the Mangalore Jesuits, and brother of Bishop Victor RosarioFernandes of Mangalore. Bishop Victor’s house had come within the limits ofBendur Parish when this was founded. Bishop Victor himself was already apriest since 19.3.1910. Mgr RD Sequeira of Kankanady had also joined theseminary earlier. I was ordained before the parish was founded.

Then there was the Men’s Sodality of Our Lady of Dolours. Their annualSalvi or Septena, in September, was a piety-nourishing devotion.

The ladies had their Sodality, buzzing with feminine activity and spirituality,all of them unmarried of various ages from 13 to 30. The women, perhaps,still continued to belong to the Christian Mother’s Sodality, at Milagres, evenas some of the men continued their membership in the Gentlemen’s Sodalityat Codialbail.

The meetings were held regularly every week. The attendance, even ofdistant members, was very high and their fervor to be envied.

The Saint Vincent de Paul Conference of Bendur owes its origin to MgrMascarenhas. It was the ideal for other similar parochial conferences withsuch stalwarts as the late Mr Louis Mascarenhas, Baptist Pinto, SylvesterRasquinha, Benjamin Tauro etc., for pioneers. The work is equally laudablycarried on to this day by Mr JD Lobo, AR D’Souza, Christopher Fernandes andother zealous members; they are fortunate in having had very good andzealous parish priests to succeed Mgr RFC Mascarenhas.

I would suggest that the persons- priests and laymen mentioned by mein the course of these reminiscences could be contacted before it is too lateto garner further recollections of this great man and outstanding priest RFCMascarenhas...

VIVAT BETHANY.

24 August 1976Camp: St. Joseph’s ChurchJail Road EastUmerkhadiBombay 400009

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Reunion with Spouse

Sr Cynthia, the Director of Bethany Sanjivini Centre had taken us to Mangalorefor a study and spiritual tour from March 28, 2011 to March 30, 2011. Wesaw the photographic display of the achievements of the Founder of theBethany Congregation SD Raymond as well as the activities of the Sisters. Wealso visited the Founder’s cottage and spent some time in silent prayer, trustingin God and raising our supplications to Him through SD Raymond. I prayedwith great faith in God, especially for my husband who had left me ten yearsearlier so that he would return to me and I placed my prayer request in thebox for intentions.

After we had returned to Guledgudd, the Sister took me to Hubli to look formy husband; and being told by his friends that he was away, we returned.After some time we went to his house once again, but no one there was ofany help. Without losing faith, I said the prayer given by the Sister for thebeatification of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas, and offering flowers,prayed daily to Jesus and Mother Mary through the Servant of God Raymond.

One day, thanks be to God and the Servant of God Raymond, my husbandphoned me for the first time after all these years and returned to me. Nowwe live happily together and I am expecting. I request your prayers so thatmy child may develop well in the womb and I deliver without any difficulty orproblems.

I, Danamma P Devanal am a Lingayat serving at the Bethany Sanjivini Centre.I offer my praises and prayers to God through the Servant of God RaymondMascarenhas. I humbly request the Bethany Congregation to pray that Godgrant us and our family His blessings and graces so that we live together as ahappy family.

Mrs Danamma P Devanal, Guledgudd

Multiple Blessings

I offer my heartfelt thanks to the Sisters of Bethany who prayed for myfamily and me. As you know I got a job in a nice company and also receivedmy first salary. My health issues have been resolved and I am doing well.Thank you once again.

Favours Received

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Please continue your prayers for me and my family.I have been assigned a very responsible task in mycompany and I need the support of your prayers andthe blessings of Our Lord to accomplish it successfully.

Pray to the Lord to help me achieve professionalsuccess and make my parents proud and happy.

Thank You.Roysten, Honnavar

(The prayer team has been praying for Roysten through the intercession ofSD Raymond Mascarenhas.)

Good Job and Success in Exams

Rev Fr Raymond Mascarenhas is my great-great-granduncle.

Last year my wife, my mother, my mother-in-law and I, had visited theBethany Convent in Mangalore and the former residence of Rev Fr RaymondMascarenhas. We were very inspired, especially as Rev Father is from ourfamily.

My wife had been looking for a job for the past one year prior to our visit.We started praying to Rev Father every day after our visit, for the intentionof finding a job, and within one month, my wife found a very good job at USBank.

Furthermore, she was also doing her CPA exams. Through the intercessionof Rev Father Raymond Mascarenhas, she completed all four of her CPA examsin the first attempt.

We are very grateful to Servant of God Rev Fr Raymond Mascarenhas forhis intercession.

I have also enclosed a contribution for the Cause of Canonization ofServant of God Raymond Mascarenhas.

Allen Rodrigues, Bangalore

Prayers Answered

21st December 2011 was the most unfortunate day of our life, when mydaughter got sick to the extent that her life was threatened with severechest infection, with one of her lungs totally blocked. She was placed onventilator for one week. During that phase, her condition was so critical with

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her vitals showing ups and downsthat every second was very crucial.It was that very moment, whenwe were all totally crashed, withonly a ray of hope from AlmightyGod. The doctors were doing theirjob but what we needed besidesthat was prayer to God to savethis child, which we were not ableto perform with our eyes full oftears and minds totally lost and were finding ourselves in very helpless situation.That was the time when on my request one of my acquaintances requesteda Sister to kindly pray for this girl. When Mrs Meera Malhotra rang up to SrGrace Maria on 23rd December, the sisters were celebrating the DeathAnniversary of Father Mascarenhas at Ish Kripa, the headquarters of Bethany‘sNorthern Province. They immediately started praying to him and informedBethany at Mangalore, and they too prayed for the life of my daughter. Withthe continuous effort from the Sisters of St Theresa’s Convent School, Karnaland their centres at different parts of the country, the magic of prayer broughtfruit. On 28th December her ventilator was removed. The struggle for hersurvival continued for another month before she was discharged from hospitalon 1st February 2012.

With the blessings of Almighty God and continuous support of the Sistersfor the welfare of my daughter, she is now back to her normal life.

Rajesh Bajaj (Father of Deepanshi), Karnal

Healing from Various Illnesses

This letter to you is from Francis Gonsalves of Belgaum. One day through

our Parish Priest, I got a copy of The Compassionate Pastor 2010 edition. Ihad never before heard the name of Father Raymond Mascarenhas. However,as I went through the book I loved to read repeatedly the works of thegreat and true servant of God.

After reading the book, I started spreading the name of FatherMascarenhas to my friends, relatives and well-wishers and the works of thistrue servant of God. Then after contacting you on phone, you sent me thelater editions of The Compassionate Pastor. Thank you so much dear sister.

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Later you also sent me the holy pictures containing prayer for the beatification.On receiving, I started distributing them, asking the recipients to sendtestimonies after receiving the favours.

I regularly pray at least twice a day for the early beatification of FatherRaymond; may he receive the honours of the altar very soon. May he bedeclared a saint; may he be known to the whole world. May all read his namein the spiritual calendar, in Bible diaries by celebrating his remembrance day asa feast day.

I have suffered a lot in my life since my birth, now I am in the age groupof 59 and suffering from diabetes and blood pressure. I am suffering fromsome other ailments too, but I have not given up praying.

Now through the intercession of Father Raymond Mascarenhas one byone my sicknesses are being healed. Since 12 years, I was suffering fromsevere burning sensation of the feet. It was irritating me too much and it wasdifficult for me to walk. Now I am feeling far better and can even walk withoutany problem. Secondly, I am having severe cervical pain I am sure that thisalso will be healed.

Francis Gonsalves, Belgaum

Good Health and HealingI am Mrs Midsy Colaco from Goa. I was teaching in Bethany Convent High

School, Sao Jose de Areal in the year 1991. It was during this period of myteaching that I suddenly took ill. I was very serious with very high infection inthe blood. My ESR was very high, much beyond bounds. The doctors in Goahad given up all hope of my survival.

It was during this time that I was shifted to Manipal Hospital where I wasadmitted in the ICU and the doctors said that all medical science is failing. Allmy family members and my colleagues had given up hopes. But Sr Noel whowas my principal at that time, started storming Heaven and praying with allthe students of Bethany Convent High School.

She also visited me at the Manipal Hospital with Sr Lumina the manager.And Sr Lumina prayed over me with their founder Mgr RFC Mascarenhas‘cross. It was a great surprise for the doctors. And slowly I started recoveringfrom that day on. And up till this date I am well.

Though I had a number of health problems, even after that, but myfaith in Mgr RFC Mascarenhas has become very strong and I know that through

45

his intercession I will be healed. I always acknowledge that through hisintercession I got new life today and I am living happily with my family. Mygreat thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas and so I ask the Almighty to grant MgrRFC Mascarenhas the honours of the altar soon.

Midsy Colaco, Salcete, Goa

Gift of a Spouse and a Son

I am Jenova. My husband’s name is Thomas. We are from Idinthakarai,Tamilnadu. I am a member of BLA (Bethany Lay Associates) Idinthakarai. I amvery close to Bethany Sisters.

I had gone through somany difficulties and problemsin my life. I suffered a lot, eventhe il l treatment from myparents. I was all alone in all mysufferings and struggles.Nobody took interest to settleme in marriage, not even myparents or relatives. Earlier Ithought I would live as a spinster, since I had no support from my family. I wasalready 39 years old and to get proper match was beyond my imagination.But I had deep faith in the God of the impossible. Bethany Sisters were agreat support for me and they advised me to express my needs to Godthrough the Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas. I too had a great love towardsthis holy man. I cried bitterly and prayed before the picture of Father Raymondthat I may have a good future.

To my surprise the next day a proposal came which was destined for meby God. I got married at the age of 39 and my life companion is 45 years old.Our next concern was a baby. I continued to pray with deep faith and hope,for a child. Though doctors could not give much hope to me, our powerfulGod gave me hope in my life and I gave birth to a baby boy at the age of 40.

I believe my marriage and the baby I got is a miracle that happened inmy life through RFC Mascarenhas, and I am happy to tell you that my mother-in-law’s family also bears the name of Mascarenhas.

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Now we are living happily. I pray that ‘Our Founder‘ SD RFC Mascarenhasmay be raised to the honours of the altar soon. I raise my gratitude to Godand all those who prayed for me.

Parise the Lord !Jenova, Thomas and Raymond Arul Raj

Idinthakarai, Tamil Nadu

Toes Healed

I, Sr Seraphine, a diabetes patient was suffering from leg pain due to

pus on my toes. Doctors asked me to amputate my toes or be operatedupon and remove the nails of my toes. I told the doctor that I would notallow my toes to be amputated.

In my pain and distress I decided to pray through the intercession of ourFounder, and believed he would heal me. One day I saw a vision of Fr Founderseated on a chair, in a closed room. I knocked at the door and said to him, “Iam your beloved daughter Seraphine, you must heal me.” To my surprise thenext morning the nails of my toes came out on their own. I believe it wasthrough the intercession of Fr Founder that I received healing. Now I amgetting better and the doctor told me the toes need not be amputated as Iam getting healed.

I pray that our Founder may be raised to the honours of the altar.

Sr M Seraphine BS, Bethany Provincial House, Kerala

Healing and Abstinence

Through the intercession of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, complete cure ofMelville‘s bleeding duodenal ulcer and incidentally, his miraculous abstinencefrom all alcoholic beverages. Thanks to Our Lord for His abundant mercies.

Dr Lourdes Prabhu, Mangalore

47

Ulcer Healed

My husband had an ulcer on the tongue. Biopsy report showed the presenceof malignant cells. Surgery was needed. We prayed earnestly to our heavenlyFather. We sought the intercession of Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas. Theentire Bethany Congregation was with us in our need.

Through the intercession of Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, students andstaff of Sacred Hearts’ High School, Kulshekar, the second report showed notrace of any malignancy. He is completely free of disease and recovering veryfast. Praise God! Thanks be to God!

Thanks to Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas. May the Lord grant His belovedservant the honours of the altar for His greater glory and the spreading of theGospel.

Elanora Pinto, Mariazell Kadri Road, Mangalore

FAVOUR RECEIVEDOctober 21, 2012Received favours through the intercession of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. My sincerethanks to him.

Monisha Sonia

THE COMPASSIONATE PASTOR

Published twice a year in July and December. No subscription. Donations

will be gratefully accepted to meet the expenses of printing, mailing

and the process of Canonization. Donations and offerings may be sent

to the address given below. Cheques/drafts may be made in favour of:

Cause of Msgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas. We invite you to share

your experiences for possible inclusion in this bulletin.

The Vice-PostulatorCause of the Servant of God Raymond MascarenhasBethany Convent, Kankanady PostMangalore - 575 002Karnataka, India

Managing Editor

48

FAVOURS RECEIVED THROUGH THEINTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD

RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS ANDPUBLISHED IN RAKNNO, THE KONKANI

WEEKLY OF MANGALORE DIOCESE

2009/11 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

Sr Prima BS

2009/12 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

J M Lobo, Vittal

2009/13 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

Sr Benny BS

2009/14 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

Irwin Menezes, Valencia

2009/15 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God

RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.

Benny Rasquinha, Bajpe

2009/16 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received

Sr Severine Fernandes, Padukone

2009/17 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

Bethany Convent, Puttur

2009/18 My grateful thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favour

received.

Sr Felix BS, Cyprian D’Souza and Family

2009/19 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God

RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.

Mizoram

Pilgrimage to St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar,built by Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas (1903)