THE COMPASSIONATE PASTOR

DECEMBER 2013

Editorial Board
Managing Editor
Sr M Wilberta, BS
1. 2.

Contents
Editorial 59 Homily preached by Bishop Aloysius Paul DSouza on the 53rd Death Anniversary of SD Raymond Mascarenhas 3. A Faithful Servant - Rt Rev Mgr Denis Moras Prabhu 4. 65 61

Chief Editor
Sr M Lillis, BS

Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas Holy Year Pilgrimage- 1934 - Rev Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB 74

MEMBERS
7.

Fr Raymond, the Promoter of Social Advancement - Mr Edmund Frank 77

Rev Fr Joseph Martis Mr Ivan Saldanha Mr Edmund Frank Sr Miriam, BS Sr M Jessy Rita, BS Sr M Virginia, BS Sr Mary Naulak, BS Sr M Gracy Bennis BS
8. 6. 5.

Pastor - President of Catholic - Mr Ivan Saldanha 81

Association of South Kanara 1931- 41

In Quest of a Saint- Mgr Raymond F C Mascarenhas -Aspect of Faith Role Model - Mr James DSouza 99

Favours Received

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INSPIRING SAYINGS OF THE SERVANT OF GOD RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS

Mary is a mother who will never turn her face from us, never fail to comfort and love us. A fervent religious does each one of her duties, perfectly well, without distinguishing between big or small. When our soul is detached from the things of this earth, we enjoy a peace which is very necessary for prayer. If our life spent in suffering, sickness, humiliation or hard work, and if we offer that to God, how soon we will be great Apostles of suffering, uniting our pains to those of Jesus. Gratitude is a noble virtue and it should be a characteristic of a life dedicated to God. Faith enables us to see all things in the same light as God views them.

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EDITORIAL
Through his new apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis gives us a clarion call for a joyful proclamation of the Gospel to the entire world. This document is a great gift of the Holy Father to the Church as a map and guide for her pastoral mission. Within a short period of time this exhortation has created ripples of new fervour and ardour for evangelisation. His own personal life examples bear testimony to this concept of evangelisation, new in fervour, ardour and method. Example is better than precept is an age old dictum. The Church in India has been privileged to receive the services of numerous foreign missionaries who have enthused us for a joyous proclamation of the Gospel. Fortunately, we have begun to recognise the valiant missionaries of India who have lived a heroic life and who continue to inspire us to be effective evangelisers. One of them is declared a saint; a few of them blessed and a good number are Servants of God. Monsignor Raymond is one such Indian spiritual stalwart who is gaining the attention of people of Mangalore and other places. His intercessory power has been felt by several persons and to make it grow further, the Bendur Parish, in Mangalore has taken great interest in this Servant of God who was their first parish priest. Recognising the holiness of this Servant of God, with the recommendation of Rev Fr Antony Serrao, the parish priest, the Parish Council, and with the permission of the Sacred Congregation for the Cause of Saints, Rome, the process of exhumation, identification and transfer of the mortal remains of the Servant of God to an imposing new tomb was carried out by Most Rev Aloysius Paul DSouza, the Bishop of Mangalore. This gives better access to the people who desire to pray at the tomb of this saintly priest, and to draw inspiration from his life. The vibrant parish the Monsignor had established, celebrates its Centenary in the month of January 2014. Glancing through the articles in this issue, one can assert that Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, a visionary far ahead of his time exemplify in his life the major dimensions of Pope Francis vision of the new evangelization highlighted in the apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel. His was a
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joy that was ever new and shared. This joy sprung from his deep union with God which did not diminish amidst trials and sufferings. The homilies of Bishop Aloysius of Mangalore Diocese, delivered on the occasion of the 53rd death anniversary Eucharistic celebration accentuate the fact that Mgr Raymonds rootedness in Christ, is the cause of his joy. Rt Rev Mgr Denis Prabhu reflects on the life of the Servant of God in the context of the Year of Faith. He spotlights how the Servant of God grew up in the supernatural virtues of faith, hope and love and alludes to the dynamism he had to think of new things, reflect over the life of the Church, the Church in Mangalore in particular. Rev Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB paints a vivid picture of Mgr Raymonds Holy Year Pilgrimage to Holy Land, Rome and Turin, and visits to the tombs of saints which seemed to have generated in him a deep desire to have saints from his home town, Mangalore. Mr Ivan Saldanha presents an anthology bringing home to us the indelible stamp, the illustrious priest - son of Mangalore, has left on the people in the Catholic Association of South Kanara, (CASK) giving special credit to his pastoral activities, chiefly talks and sermons. Mr James DSouza underlines that Mgr Raymond had intense faith in God, as well as in oneself and his faith was expressed in service to the people especially the poor. Mr Edmond Frank underscores the contribution of the Servant of God for human advancement which reflects the favourite axiom of Pope Francis: the social inclusion of the poor. I thank all those who have contributed their articles for this issue which undoubtedly unravel the hidden treasures of the life and mission of Monsignor Raymond who inspires all of us to love our Mother Church and actively participate in her mission of sharing the joy of the Gospel.

Sr Lillis BS
Editor

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HOMILY PREACHED BY BISHOP ALOYSIUS PAUL DSOUZA ON THE 53RD DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF SD RAYMOND MASCARENHAS
Dear Brothers and Sisters, An essential aspect of interpersonal and social life is trust. Without trust our relationships are burdens rather than joys. Without trust, no society or community can long endure. Harvard psychiatrist Erik Erikson lists basic trust as the first and most indispensable element in the formation of a healthy personality. If the child experiences his or her environment as safe and loving, then trust grows and so does the child. If, on the other hand, the home is lacking in love and security then trust is not formed. Many psychologists believe that without basic trust in a persons early years, the damage is permanent. Lack of basic trust leaves the person in a state of permanent insecurity, which affects all aspects of ones interpersonal life. Basic trust is not only essential for individual well-being; it is essential for the well-being of a community and society. 1. First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 The year is 735 B.C. It is time for a decision for Ahaz, the king of Judah. Ahaz is the legitimate king, but he is weak and lacking in faith. Assyria is the most powerful of nations at this time. The rulers of Aram and Israel request Ahaz to join them in an alliance against Assyria. The prophet Isaiah comes to Ahaz and confronts him with the covenant; Ahaz must place his trust in the Lord and not in some political alliance with Assyria. The Lords love is everlasting while political power fades. Israel and Aram will be destroyed; but the Lord will protect Judah. Isaiah tells Ahaz to ask for a sign to confirm the truth of the prophets words. Ahaz
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tries to ignore the issue by saying that it is not right to test the Lord. Isaiah tells Ahaz he will receive a sign a virgin will give birth to a son named Immanuel. This sign means that God is with His people. Hence, Ahaz must trust in God and not in Assyria or in worldly powers. Political alliances fail and military powers fade, but the word of the Lord endures and one can trust in it completely. The Lord never fails! 2. Gospel Reading: Luke 1:26-38 In yesterdays reading, we considered the conception and birth of John the Baptist. Now, Luke presents the birth of the Messiah and the obedience of Mary. The child of Mary will be called Jesus, which means Yahweh is salvation. Yahweh will save from their sins all who accept Jesus in faith. Mary holds a special place in the Gospel according to Luke. She is the human instrument through whom the Word becomes flesh. Mary is the model for Christians because she hears the Word of God and responds totally to God in faith. She is a woman filled with grace, whose life speaks to every generation of the great things God has done through her for all humankind. In todays Gospel reading St Luke presents Mary as the woman of perfect trust. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will give birth to a Son, and name him Jesus. This Son will be born through the power of the Spirit. Jesus is the Son of God who comes to liberate humankind from sin and death. We need to understand that: Mary was very human, and she was filled with anxiety. However, she did not allow this fear to influence her response. She transcended her fear and pronounced the words of faith, Let it be done to me as you say. Mary was able to give her response of faith to the Lord, because her whole life had been of faith, trusting in God. This moment in Marys life is a result of all that has gone before. Mary in her immaculate conception was filled with the grace of Gods presence. Her assumption into heaven is the culmination of a life lived in total faith and trust in the Lords word. We are celebrating today the 53rd death anniversary of Servant of God Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas.
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3. Servant of God, RFC Mascarenhas is a man of Trust in God Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas lived his life as a man in union with God. His mission flowed from his deep communion with God. Being aware of the plan of God for him, he went about undisturbed to fulfill it with great hope and trust in God doing everything to please him. His life was pleasing to God, a consequence of his deep relationship with God. His union with God was manifested by his trust in Divine Providence. When there was lack of funds to pay the dues, he always smiled and said, We always draw from our bank in heaven. Our Lord and His Blessed Mother are very rich and their wealth is ours for the mere asking. A concrete example of his trust in Divine Providence was seen in the many works that he did. His whole life was a life lived in trusting in the Divine Providence of God. He recommended a similar attitude to his sisters as well. He told them, Everyday give first place in your heart to God. Never act with a view to please the world or others or the self; act only to please God; if God is pleased what does the rest matter? On another occasion he said; In doing good never seek applause from the world or from superiors and companions, but do it solely and exclusively for God. He would always insist that even the smallest of things done for the mission must be done for the love of God. We too can imbibe this attitude of being attuned to God as we live our daily lives. Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, a simple and humble priest, who trusted in Divine Providence and did everything to please God, shows us the way to achieve this union with God through personal prayer, solitude, offering all our works to God as means to be in union with God. 4. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament Servant of God Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas had a great devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and instilled the same devotion in the Sisters as well. He was instrumental in starting the perpetual adoration to the Blessed Sacrament in 1935; we read that in his biography. He
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advised his spiritual daughters to receive the Holy Communion daily with great love and devotion to the Lord. He had a tremendous devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and would always sign his letters with the words like, I leave you in the heart of Jesus. He recommended an act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus in all the houses of the Congregation on the major feast days of Our Lady and on the anniversary of the Bethany foundation. Basing ourselves on Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas love for Jesus, we too can develop Christ-consciousness in ourselves. We can meet Jesus in the Eucharist, in the breaking of the Word and in the breaking of the Bread, in contemplation on the Sacred Heart of Jesus, through which God loved humankind with a human heart. Conclusion Advent is a good time to examine our lives and see in whom we place our trust. It is a good time to reflect on our fidelity to Gods love and the love of our neighbour. Are we as Christians and consecrated people generous and responsive to the needs of the most needy and the powerless? Do we seek to build social structures which enhance human life, and free people to live with dignity and hope? Do we place our trust and hope in the Lord, and not in the worldly power? On a personal level, do we follow Mary as a servant of the Lord in keeping His word? Is our life one in which Gods word is met with a receptive and trusting heart? These questions are weighty which demand a careful answer. Our life each day, and in its totality, is a response to these questions. Let us pray for the courage to trust in the Lord all our days. The Lord is faithful, and we shall never be abandoned or disappointed.

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A FAITHFUL SERVANT
Rt Rev Mgr Denis Moras Prabhu The Holy Father, Benedict XVI had declared the Year of Faith from 11 of October 2012 to 24th of November 2013. This Year of Faith was to
th

mark two important events in the life of the Church. Pope John XXIII had been Pope for nearly 90 days when on January 25, 1959, he made the first and completely unexpected announcement of his plan to convoke the Churchs II Vatican Ecumenical Council, the first since Vatican I of 1869 to 1870. On 11th of October 1962, after nearly four years of exhaustive preparation, the Council finally was opened. In a positive and optimistic speech, the 80 year old Pope John XXIII gently chided the prophets of doom within the Church and spoke of the worlds need for the medicine of mercy. Thus in less than nine months before his death, he set the pastoral tone which was to dominate the Council deliberations. The first period of those deliberations ended on the 8th of December 1962. Hence after fifty solid years of the Vatican II, former Pope Benedict XVI declared the Year of Faith to solemnly begin on October 11th 2012. The final session of the Vatican II began on September 14th 1965 and concluded with a Mass in St Peters Square on 8th December 1965. During the Council four important Constitutions were proclaimed: 1. 2. 3. 4. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium), Revelation Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum) Liturgy- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium) The Church Today- Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern

World (Gaudium et Spes). There were nine decrees: 1. 2. 3. 4. Communications (Inter Mirifica) Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio) Eastern Churches (Orinatilium Eclesiarum) Bishops (Christus Dominus)
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5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 1. 2. 3.

Priestly Formation (Optatam Totius) Religious Life (Prefectae Caritates) Laity (Apostolicam Actuasitatem) Priests (Presbyterorum Ordinis) Missions (Ad Gentes) Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis) Non Christians (Nostra Aetate) Religious Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae) Hence there were four constitutions, nine decrees and three

There were three declarations:

declarations. The over 2000 Council Fathers gathered at St Peters in Rome had a retrospection on the history of 2000 years of Christian Faith. On 11th of October 1962, the first day of the Council, Pope John XXIII delivered his address in St Peters Basilica. Mother Church rejoices that by singular gift of Divine Providence, the longed-for day has finally dawned when under the auspices of the Virgin Mother of God, whose maternal dignity is commemorated on the feast, the II Vatican Ecumenical Council is solemnly opened here besides St Peters tomb. In the life of the Church, there were many Councils twenty ecumenical councils and other no less important ones, of a provincial and regional character which have been held down through the years, all proving clearly the vigour of the Catholic Church and are recorded as shining lights in her annals. The word Ecumenical Council, was a sudden and historical one from the heart and lips of Pope John XXIII. He uttered those words in the presence of the Sacred College of Cardinals on that memorable day, 25th of January 1959, the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, in the Basilica dedicated to him. It was completely unexpected like a flash of heavenly light, shedding sweetness in the eyes and hearts. The Vatican II documents are considered as the greatest documents by which the life of the Church
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is described. It has covered almost all the areas of Christian life. Hence, in whatever sphere we are or engaged in Church activity, the Council documents ever stand as guiding light to the Church and all of us. Before Vatican II, the Christian life was centred around the contents of faith. If one lived by observing the contents, he/she was called a good Christian. For Post-Conciliar era, the relationship between God and humans was more stressed. Hence faith became more personal, having its influence on all aspects of human life. Faith could not be considered as content or a talent to be buried and kept safe but faith should bring forth fruits which would be at the service of other humans. We see in this sort of life a vertical dimension strengthening our bond with God and a horizontal dimension leading us to our brothers and sisters, the community, and finally the country. Ultimately, a person filled with faith in God, nourished by the Sacraments and Word of God could automatically search for pastures which would bear fruit in plenty. This is the life Jesus provides us. I have come to give life and life in abundance (Jn10:10). In this context let us look at the life of the Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. When he was baptized, God infused in him His supernatural virtues of faith, hope and charity. His family having deep roots in Christian faith helped the child to grow up like a mustard seed (Mt 13:31). The example of his parents was a guiding light to the growing child. His ancestral house being close to the Church, both at Shimoga and Milagres, Mangalore, the Church became their second home. There was an interaction between the house and the Church. The parents and their children loved the Church as well as the priests and religious who educated them as they grew up. This had been a good soil with necessary components for the seed to grow up. The children found a congenial atmosphere for Christian faith. Right from the beginning they lived a life of faith in God, Word of God and the Sacraments. The Mascarenhas family cannot be thought of as being a very wealthy family in those days. However, the meager resources available and the salary of a Government employee was quite sufficient for a large family to live on. They neither had everything in plenty, nor did they languish in
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poverty. In such an atmosphere the little child Raymond grew up. We do not see anything mysterious or extraordinary in his early life. His life was a normal life, well-knitted in the family atmosphere. Being endowed with qualities of head and heart, he responded to the call of God to be a priest. In those days, a priest meant to be the spiritual head of the Christian community- God man to the faithful, dispensing the sacraments and preaching the Word of God. Although he was very much like any other priest, his companions in priesthood, would say that he had dynamism to think of new things, reflect over the life of the Church, the Church in Mangalore in particular. The diocese was ruled by the Italian Missionaries who were engaged in seminary formation of future priests and the other academic education and the governance of the diocese, maintaining the faith of the people, providing them the Sunday Mass, sacraments and attending to sick calls. The priest once ordained was sent to the parish where he provided all spiritual assistance to the people. The faithful were given the instructions necessary for their day to day spiritual life. If at all Christian life with external activities was seen, it was within the limits of a town. I suppose the Church before Vatican II was everywhere the same. Mgr RFC Mascarenhas was looking at the Church from a different angle. The Mother Church should provide her children not only the spiritual treasures but also engage in activities towards progress and build the people or a community and village. He used to discuss these relevant and important matters with his companions and superiors. A son of the soil is more apt to meet the local challenges. He would fit into the structures then prevalent in the communities of people better than an outsider. Hence having a lot of discussion with his companions in priesthood, a few of them came to an understanding that they should make a representation to the Supreme Pontiff, the Holy Father the Pope. If one goes through the memorandum made to the Holy See by these Fathers among who was Mgr RFC Mascarenhas, one would agree to a great extent what the Vatican II documents contain were fore-shadowed in the memorandum. Without going through the details of the memorandum, we could understand the inspiration he got from above to start a Congregation of
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Women which would work for the progress of women and thereby the progress of the community and people at large. He had a vision that only if the most neglected women folk of the village were literate, then the whole village would live with the dignity of human beings. It was a long ranged project. From its inception the Spirit was guiding him from step to step. He read the scriptures and made it his own, especially the teachings of Jesus and St Paul. These were the guiding lights. In other words, he was under the Lumen Fidei. Having no external resources he, boldly and relying on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, embarked on a voyage, not knowing for sure whether he would reach the shores and enjoy the victory. He placed all his present and future in the hands of God. Never did he think that he would found a Congregation of Sisters from the local diocese, educate them, form them and make them stand on their own feet as a Religious Congregation. Neither did he think that these feeble girls would establish centres of education and govern them efficiently; never did he think that he would enjoy the fruits of his faith during his own life time. Skipping over the establishment of the Congregation of Sisters of Bethany, the continuity of the Congregation of the Sisters with all his efforts could be compared to the mustard seed in the Gospel (Mt 13:31). In my article I refer to the gospel mustard seed primarily as faith. Child Raymond himself was a seed the seed that grew up in a congenial atmosphere. The plant grew fulfilling the expectation of his dear and near ones. Now the Congregation became a small mustard seed. Though it is the tiniest of all the seeds, it sprouts and grows into a big plant, a tree having spread its branches; the birds of the air have taken their shelter in its branches. The plant being nourished by faith, sacrifices, total dedication and commitment, yielded many branches and hundreds and thousands of people have benefitted down through the century. Pope Benedict XVI, while declaring the Year of Faith, gave a call to the entire Church to make a fresh entry into the year through Porta Fidei the Door of Faith. In this present era, the concept of faith is surrounded
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by a lot of confusion. The centre of our faith is none other than God, our Father. Unless faith becomes a centre of human activity, humanity is bound to lose the track that leads to God. The Year of Faith has been a spiritual renewal of Christian life. Todays generation has lost the meaning of faith in God. For people what they see, experience and enjoy is the ultimate end of their existence. Whereas the Pope teaches us in his apostolic exhortation that faith is a free gift of God to humans. This is a call to experience the Trinity, experience the Son God, Jesus Christ. The centre of all the activities of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas had been Faith. To cite but a few examples he concentrated his pastoral activity among the poor masses of our diocese under the stress of material difficulties and severe financial strain. The parishes were poor. People lived on either fishing or cultivating the land. Mostly all the people were having hand to mouth existence. When he started the Udyavar Church, he did not have even a rupee to begin with. Bishop Cavadini SJ assured him of his support of prayers and encouraged him in his works. He said that he could not expect more than 5 rupees from a person in Udyavar Parish. With the little contribution of the poor people, he built the church at Udyavar. The church turned out to be a beautiful one and God helped him through many persons to complete it. It was one of the most beautiful churches of that time in rural areas. He totally depended on God. His trust in Gods providence was so strong that God never failed him. The same could be said of the establishment of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. Bethany was a work which he had done through good report and evil report, warm appreciation and through severe criticism. He never thought that he would do it. He felt that he had no capacity to do such a big venture. Among many other things, he did not know how the Congregation would grow. The prayers accompanied the works; if he was not working physically or manually he would pray unceasingly for the intentions at hand. He placed all his works in the hands of Blessed Mother and as Mgr Raymond said, the works were blessed with unexpected success. In the
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initial stages of founding the Congregation, Bishop Perini SJ warmly encouraged his every little step. When he started the Congregation, a number of priests smiled sarcastically, doubting whether the Congregation would live to see a decade. He was teased and mocked as the Congregation was proceeding further. During the Second World War and the great depression, food and other resources were scarce, and due to insufficient nourishment, several sisters succumbed to terminal diseases. Even if there was money, food was not available. Hence, people who looked down upon the Congregation with a skeptical eye said that it would be soon closed down. Most of the Sisters of the Congregation were coming from poor and less literate background. People said, Because they could not afford to give dowry, they were sheltered in Bethany. They have to be sent for higher studies to make them professionally skilled and to make them eligible to be Religious Sisters. But the choice of such Sisters really brought about a change in the thinking of older congregations. Bethany received girls in plenty as it did not demand dowry and gifts from the candidates. The older congregations revised their yardstick of receiving girls from poor families. They also began to take girls with a minimum dowry or gifts from the family. So the older congregations began to receive poor and less educated girls and then bring them up to the level of other Sisters. Either way the girls benefitted. The Founder was happy that then onwards, the older congregations too began to work for the development of poor girls. Several schools were opened and sisters with sufficient qualification were sent. The Sisters dedicated themselves for the progress of illiterate and poor girls. Wherever there was a school, the Founder volunteered to send the Sisters to work in these schools. Thus the Founder brought about a transformation in remote villages. There was also a sharp criticism that Sisters were made to do manual labour. He inspired the Sisters to take up manual work such as growing vegetables, working in the looms, attending to their own domestic duties and thus he upheld the dignity of labour. Though it came under severe criticism, the Founder did not shy away from it. The work of the Sisters
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both in their houses and in schools earned revenue by which he could take care of the formation houses. In other words, he lived on a day to day basis trusting in the providence of God. His confidence in the Divine Providence was singularly deep. In the various parishes he worked, he thought of the spiritual and material progress of the people. His Masses, sermons, holy hours, rosaries, visits to the sick and communion to the sick were all remarkable spiritual exercises. Wherever he was, the parishioners had a good word for his services to the people as an enthusiastic priest. When he had to leave the Bishops House after he relinquished the office of the Vicar General, he did not have a place to go. Bethany welcomed him back and gave him a small house in its compound to live in. To the public eye it looked as if he was not wanted in the administration any more. He lived a hidden life busy in reading and writing. When he was given a send- off in 1931 from Bendur, Mgr Castelino, a very close friend of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas said that the time has come when his crown of thorns would turn into his crown of glory, up in paradise. Though he was the Vicar General of the Diocese, the difficulties faced by the Sisters in various parishes did not diminish. Some parish priests were unhappy with the sisters work in the parishes. There were constant complaints to the Bishop. When a solution did not turn up from the superiors, the matter was taken to the lay people of the parish who in turn joined the parish priests to make the stay of the sisters difficult. Some convents were closed down and in some cases sisters were put into such a dilemma that in utter confusion, they gave up the religious life and returned home. Many more things can be said about this but the history of the dark ages of Bethany speaks for itself. The Founder being the Vicar General one could expect how difficult it would be for him to offer a solution to every problem. On one hand he could not turn down the complaints of parish priests and the people against the sisters. On the other hand he could not defend his sisters outright. Hence, I believe the prophetic words of Mgr Castelino were very true and that his crown of thorns would turn
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into his crown of glory, up in paradise. Mgr RFC Mascarenhas would ever say Bethany my crown and my joy. But now he was having that crown of thorns which he had to bear in times which were not so pleasant. Along with all these, criticism, misunderstanding and mud-slinging exercises were going on against the Founder. Since he was well grounded and deeply rooted in faith, he accepted everything in faith. If he did not have explicit faith and trust in the Divine Providence he would have been frustrated and crushed long ago. He was a man of firm will and a resolute mind. No storm, thunder or lightning could shake his faith. The more he heard of the sad happenings in Bethany, he went into prayer all the more, to relate everything to God in prayer. Amidst all these happenings one cannot imagine that he had no weaknesses and shortcomings. He himself might have experienced them in plenty. It is possible that he did not yield to any kind of pressures or power politics. At times he wanted to justify his actions in as much a strong a way as possible. He not only spoke but put his words into writing so that his justifications be challenged and tested anytime. St John says in his letter that a charitable work wipes away all our sins. As much as one can see the good that is done by the Servant of God, so too his demerits can be pointed out. As St Paul wrote to the Romans when sin abounded grace superabounded. In a similar way one can say that the weaknesses of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas are overwhelmingly overshadowed by the bountiful good works done by him. St Paul says, God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing, things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God (Cor 1:27-29). Let us have trust and confidence in the Providence of God who rewards each one according to his goodness. May the Servant of God be rewarded with the crown that he longed to receive from the Just Judge for his good works and his faith in God.

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MGR RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS HOLY YEAR PILGRIMAGE- 1934

Rev Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB Four hundred eager pilgrims departed from Mumbai on this long pilgrimage. For most of them it was just a fulfilling sightseeing exercise or the curiosity of seeing the Holy Land and places of Biblical interest where Our Lord Jesus and Mother Mary lived, or visiting the pilgrimage centres in France which every privileged Christian would love to see. One among these pilgrims was Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for whom this pilgrimage was going to be a real deepening of faith experience and for the concepts he had in mind. He, from the commencement of the journey realized two things. First of all, he felt there was a peculiar bonding force uniting all these people from diverse backgrounds who had come together from all the corners of India for the first time. There were priests and nuns, men and women of different shades and hues, all focused on specially one feature that they represented- One Holy Catholic Church, one people of God in India. Second, he felt a kind of bonding permeating their hearts and giving them a new unified feeling. They all instinctively thought in terms of One Mother, One Church.1 The first phase was their experience in the Holy Land. Mgr RFC had read how Ignatius of Loyola had gone on a similar pilgrimage. He had done the first part of the journey walking through Northern Spain till he reached the port of Genoa. Thence taking a ship he reached Crete and finally Joppa on the coast of the Holy Land. From there it was just four days on a donkeys back, before they sighted the domes of Jerusalem.2 As Monsignor went from site to site, he was transported with joy when he saw Mount Zion, the upper Cenacle where the Last Supper took place. They walked the Way of the Cross with their black cassocks on, then to Calvary and the Holy Sepulchre. As he reached Bethany and the Mount of Olives, he felt a special transport of light that carried him forward and moistened his eyes as he directed his thoughts towards the future of his
1

The Return of the Holy Year Pilgrims, Mangalore July 1934 (Mangalore: Catholic Association of South Kanara), 251 de Dalmases Candido, Ignatius of Loyola (Institute of Jesuit Resources), 78.

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fledgling effort for the Sisters that he had begun in 1921. He was impelled towards Bethphage too. Similarly, in France, Mgr RFC was indeed impressed by the glories of Lourdes and other places, but he again felt a select feeling of transport of light on reaching Lisieux. The dignity and teachings of the Little Flower, her Little Way, taught him great lessons in simplicity and smallness. He felt unique experiences of the depth and unction of this great saint. Mgr RFC made a special detour to Northern Italy. From his reading of Andersons Life of Don Bosco, he had realised that here was a man guided by God, to do for boys what he was trying to do for young rural girls in Mangalore, mould them into Sisters and Apostles for the glory of Christ and the Church. Don Bosco had started with nothing.3 He like Don Bosco had no inkling of how to go ahead. The Spirit would lead him. How is it that so many vaddos, in parishes and little workshops and recreation clubs in distant villages and towns from Mangalore to Udupi were bearing his name? What surprised Mgr was that in a few weeks time, Don Bosco was due to be canonised by Pius XI in Rome. But that suburb of Turin bore the stamp of three great saints, three great institutions, one alongside the other. All three founders had died in the odour of sanctity and their sacred remains were kept alongside the institutions they had founded at such a tremendous personal cost. The first of these institutions was that of the Oratory for Homeless Boys founded by St John Bosco in 1841. These boys hailed from neighbouring villages seeking employment in the industrial climate of Turin. They could be seen along the river Po, staring at the well-dressed and perfumed who passed by without a glance at these poor urchins. Don Bosco was able to assess the situation and gather these boys beginning with just one bricklayer who came for a weekday Mass. Today after 60 years, on that very spot stood a majestic Basilica dedicated to Mary, Help of all Christians. Mgr RFC realized that here was a set pattern for him to work on. Just parallel to this Oratory for homeless boys, he experienced something that held him dumbfounded. The Little House of Providence
3

Wirth Morand, Don Bosco and his Salesians (Pauline Books Media), 17.

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founded by St Benedict Joseph of Cottolengo.4 It was on the 27th of April 1932, Canon Cottolengo settled on the outskirts of the city with 35 sick persons rejected by all the existing hospitals of Turin and the surrounding towns. In the quarter called Valdocco, the Canon had rented a ramshackle building that had been a pub, and he arrived on a donkey cart accompanied by two nuns. The work had grown. Today it was a home for about 10,000 inmates of all description: the deaf, the dumb, the half paralytics, epileptics, mental cases and so forth, under the care of a thousand members from different religious congregations. One congregation of Sisters carried out all the work of washing, another cooking and others dedicated to various charitable works. There was a body of religious, praying taking turns day in and day out, in the church, without interruption. This House of Providence which required a million lire per month for its upkeep had no funds, no endowments, no account books. It depended purely on charity which Providence sends it day by day. The whole miracle of Providence was a lesson of extreme heroism and trust in God. Why could not Catholic Mangalore have one such Home of Providence? As Monsignor descended the steps of the Little House, he was deep in thought. The third institute lying parallel to the previous two also left him equally shocked. The present co-founder St Joseph Cafasso, happened to be the confessor of Don Bosco. He was considered a man of tremendous holiness and spiritual counsel. Many a priest and nun and lay person sought his advice and counsel. He demonstrated a rare gift of control over souls and was considered capable of converting the hardest of hearts. He was in the habit of visiting the prisons and when there was some unfortunate criminal condemned to death, he would ride with him on the cart, comforting him till the very end. No wonder he was nicknamed The Priest of the Gallows.5 For Mgr RFC, the visits to these institutions, especially the last two were unforgettable experiences. Mangalore had to grow to feel the need for such foundations. They had to trust more in Providence and they had to have the religious feelings of a Moses and an Aaron who led their people through the turbulent waters of the Red Sea, trusting in God.
4 5

Bosco Teresio, Don Bosco (Don Bosco Medien GmbH), 87. Bosco Teresio, Don Bosco (Don Bosco Medien GmbH), 128.

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FR RAYMOND, THE PROMOTER OF SOCIAL ADVANCEMENT

Mr Edmund Frank

It is no exaggeration to say in retrospect that the year 2013 is a very significant year in the annals of Bendur Parish for two reasons. First, it marks the Centenary Year of the Parish. Second, it marks the significant ceremony of Exhumation, Identification and Transfer of the mortal remains of the founding parish priest and builder of the church, Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas from the existing tomb facing the main altar to a specially prepared tomb in the church extension to the left side of the main altar, on Monday the 16th of December 2013. Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas was a man of many dimensions. I am going to delve only into that dimension that extended into the arena of imparting entrepreneurial skills, building community education centres, setting up of small industries and striving in the direction of imparting trade and business skills to empower the poor, especially women, in order to make them self-reliant. One can confidently say that the ideas of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, and the activities and programmes promoted by him eight decades ago are in vogue even today. For instance the community colleges to help train school and college drop outs are a buzz word today. Such community education centres were set up by Bethany under the guidance of their Founder as early as 1921, and the crowning glory came by way of setting up of a Community College in Rosa Mystica Campus in the year 2005. St Marthas Industrial School in Bendur established in 1922 was one such schools which was approved by the government and also secured grants under the then Joint Director of Industries and Commerce. This school offered two years and three years Industrial Certificate Courses to train

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poor girls who could not continue their education due to financial or other reasons. We can clearly see the seeds of entrepreneurship sowed by Fr Raymond Mascarenhas take roots and bloom in the form of Bethanysponsored industrial ventures in many centres. He believed in the dignity of labour and often led by example. Contrary to the traditional notion that nuns indulged only in intellectual work pertaining to their religious activities, there came a realisation of the dignity of manual labour. To inspire and motivate the laity as well as to sustain themselves the Bethany Sisters began indulging in manual labour in fields, plantations and industrial units set up by them. Very often our thinking and actions are dictated by the stress of the circumstances and environment we live in. Fr Raymond Mascarenhas had a clear vision to empower the poor in rural areas by helping them to learn some trade or business skills in order to be self-reliant. In his mission to fulfil his vision, he was to a certain extent influenced by Gandhian ideologies. This can be seen from the fact that he directed Bethanys developmental activities towards the villages of Mulky, Balkunje, Kinnikambla, Taccode, Kirem, Borimar, Uppinangady, Kokkada, Permannur, Bantwal and Bajpe. This developmental effort was extended to villages surrounding Belgaum and Dharwar in 1939 and soon to parishes in Malabar Calicut and Wynad. These activities started in the 1930s continue with vigour even to this day. In the present day we have industrial estates and micro enterprises which receive government patronage. The main objective is to face the challenge of unemployment among our youth. It is exactly on this same model without any government patronage, an industrial estate was set up in Bendur way back in 1929 in a building made available by this enterprising parish priest. It was in this industrial estate that the Society of St Vincent de Paul with the cooperation of the Bethany Sisters started a number of industries which exactly match the description of micro and small enterprises
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version provided in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act of 2006, passed by the government of India. The manufacturing operations in those units were organised in such a way as to provide employment to both the physically fit and those with a weak physical stature. Some of the items produced here included papadams, pickles and preserves, baking items, condiments and masala powders, brooms and coconut palm plaited items. Pounding, milling, sifting and packing of rice and grains were also done here. The packages were affixed with the SVP brand labels to assure the consumers a guarantee of quality. The local land lords also helped in this entire exercise of helping the poor by reserving and sending from their fields wheat, ragi, paddy and other cereals for processing at the SVP industrial estate in Bendur. Cart loads of coconut palms were also sent here for plaiting. Bethany Sisters supervised all the manufacturing and packaging operations. Industrial Training programmes initiated by Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas were not confined to the district of Dakshina Kannada only. His industrious ideas to put human labour to productive use have yielded fruitful results. In the southern
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regions of Wynad district in Kerala, trades like stone crushing, spinning and weaving and coffee powder making enterprises are successfully organized. Tailoring classes and embroidery making conducted in a number of centres are approved and recognised by the government. The training centres have helped a large number of women young and elderly to get trained and earn a decent livelihood. These courses have been widened over the years to include Home Science, Computer Education, Nursing, Fashion Designing, Lab Technician Courses, Carpentry and Masonry. It is the same story in parts of North India, Northeast India and North Karnataka where the Bethany Sisters have a sizeable presence. Through their Community Colleges and Vocational Training Centres, the poor specially women and youth are helped to find a footing in the field of work and attain self-reliance. An industrial school by the name St Joseph Industrial School was set up in Rosa Mystica Convent in 1936. It obtained government recognition and grants in the year 1943. In the present day we speak of vocational training for our youngsters in our schools and colleges. Universities and Ministry of Human Resources stress the need to include vocational training in the school and college curriculum. In this context it is heartening to know that Bethany had set up vocational training courses at their centres in Mangalore and Dharwar as early as 1922 and 1949 respectively. We can clearly observe how the thoughts and ideas of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas pertaining to providing training to poor persons especially women centred around empowering them with some trade and business skills to be self-reliant. The whole motive was to instil in them the spirit of entrepreneurship so that they could set up their own small businesses and trades. Because of the motivation that he instilled in the Bethany Sisters during his life time his vision of empowering the poor in the society is kept alive and vibrant even to this day.

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A PASTOR - PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH KANARA 1931-1941 An Anthology

Mr Ivan Saldanha Significant insight into the dedicated role of visionary Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, now Servant of God, in his efforts for the Communitys welfare from 1931 to 1941 is examined closely in this anthology. As President of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK), a premier community service organisation of Mangalore Catholics, he had rendered worthy service. CASK has just Celebrations in worth to note how this leader and a pastor in and now the first in the Kanara on the path to through what was said and what the local leaders highlighting many of the dedication. The sublime is revealed to different people differently. Our Compassionate Pastor, Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas, was many things to many people during his service in the Lords vineyard particularly from 1900 to 1960. Time and again it has been seen that he has in special ways been a trail blazer as a priest of the Catholic Church in Mangalore and a caring compassionate pastor to the core. Most diligent Founder of Bethany, humble with a spirit divine he pioneered many paths. His significant service to countless causes in the half a century of his God-filled labour for the people and the Church of God indicates the power of the hand of the Lord Himself. It is fitting to reflect and dig deeper into his yeoman services to the Mangalorean Konkani Catholic Community as the Prelate President of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK) for ten long years 1931-1941.
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commenced its Centenary September 2013. It is saintly priest was a his own unique manner Catholic Church in sainthood. Reading by Mgr Raymond himself of those days had to say qualities, assets and his personality of this great prelate

Founded in 1914, CASK has just set foot into its Centenary year 20132014. Therefore, it is here fitting to reflect on this first Servant of God from the Mangalorean community and Kanara and his contributions. His saintliness not only enhances the goodness of the community, the Church of Christ but also blesses people of goodwill at large. To know that this contemporary saintly priest of our community, our very own, who extended Gods goodness through his saintliness to all people around him, must inspire and support in many ways the greater good of Christ and his Church which is forever alive and growing in many directions before our very eyes. That he is the primary individual, who visualised, founded and guides Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, is a matter of pride to this Congregation. Born in the soil of Mangalore it must proceed to motivate the pride and generosity of every Mangalore Catholic wherever they are. This will inspire CASK and all people of Kanara in particular and strengthen the love and respect that guides them. CASK over the years has displayed a commendable effort to bring to Mangaloreans the very special place that Rev Mgr Raymond has been given. Particularly relevant here is the coverage its magazine Mangalore which commenced publication in 1927 has provided from time to time to this revolutionary holy priest, a president of the Organisation for a whole decade. Particularly noteworthy is the cover feature with many rare pictures it printed in its July 2008 issue, following the recognition of Mgr Mascarenhas as Servant of God. In bringing to the fore the reputation and great leadership of Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas of fond memory to all Kanarites, an Anthology of a few little known passages originating from CASKs sources and people of the community is the fitting medium to provide an insight into the design of the Lord in tandem with RFC, for the good of the Catholic community here. Mgr Raymond has consistently played a leading role all through his priestly service. Here highlighted is his dedicated service for the pilgrim church through CASK. A quick review of the issues of Mangalore particularly in the 1930s and 40s, one often finds the good work of Mgr Mascarenhas mentioned and apart from his actions, even his sermons, have been included which tells a great deal about the value that CASK and its members had for this singular personality.
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Brief History and Activities of CASK The Catholic Association of South Kanara(CASK) is said to be one of the oldest Lay Catholic Organization in South India, established in July 1914 and Registered under the Societies Act in 1925. CASK publishes a monthly magazine entitled Mangalore since July 1927, one of the oldest English Monthlies in the country with the credit of uninterrupted publication for 87 years and at one time, a prestigious Monthly. The credit for establishing CASK in 1914 goes to the then Bishop of Mangalore, Dr Paul Perini SJ, who is said to have encouraged the clergy and the laity to start an association to promote religious, economic and social welfare of the people. Bishop Perini was elected as the Founder President of CASK, with Rao Sahib A J Lobo as Founder Vice-President and Dr Bonaventure Colaco as Founder Secretary. Over the last 100 years, CASK has worked towards fulfilling the following objectives of the Association for the good of the community. Examining Mgr Mascarenhas consistent thinking and working, it is clear that it had always been in tandem with CASKs aims: Promote the educational, economic, cultural, social and general welfare of the community. Render assistance to the under-privileged and vulnerable groups of society, irrespective of religion, caste, creed or any other distinction. Support the publication of books, periodicals, and other literature authored by community members, and also support preservation of the Konkani language, literature, culture, heritage, arts, architecture, music and fine arts. Act as the voice of the community in upholding its rights and privileges. Inter-act, network and function as a link to unite the community spread across India and the world. As of date, CASK has about 900 members
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spread in most countries world wide. CASK organizes regular programmes for its members and also special programmes for students, youth, women and other potential groups. Expressions on RFCs Retirement as President of Cask - 1941: A personal expression of gratitude from Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, in response to CASK Felicitation in March 1941 is given here below. These selected excerpts reveal the multifaceted tasks, the efforts and the blessed personality: I am extremely grateful for this felicitation party on my retirement from the Presidentship of the Association. I am grateful to Mr M S Sreshta, for the very kind address read on your behalf. ...In bidding goodbye to the Presidentship of this Association I cannot but pay a tribute of gratitude to the office bearers, executive and general councils with whose brotherly co-operation above everything else, I have been able to do the little that I have done. It is indeed little that I have done as President. The only great thing which I have done was to support wholeheartedly the noble unselfish endeavours of the Vice-President, Secretaries and Councils in promoting the ends of the Association. I am happy I have not been a clog in the wheels. Now it is my good fortune to receive all the credit for the work done by the Association. I therefore heartily thank you all for this great kindness. I need to say that our Association has been a great power for good before the country and before government. Dignity with authority has distinguished it whenever it has acted. Of course, like every good and noble thing it has been the object both of great love and hate also. A powerful instrument for the good of our community, it is bound to be a target for attack on the part of those who are for disunion in order to disintegrate our solidarity with the object of fishing in troubled waters. However, by the grace of God, opposition has added to its strength and usefulness and proved its necessity for our common welfare. Long live the Association is my prayer. May it grow from strength to strength and
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increase in numbers and merits. May it ever be a powerful voice and a still more powerful arm, ever watchful and alert, to guard and defend the interests of our community is my earnest wish and prayer for the Catholic Association of South Kanara while I bid goodbye. ... You have made various and very generous references to my work and service since I was ordained forty one years ago. You seem to value it all very highly. But I must say that your estimate of it is based upon what you have been seeing and judging only from outside. But looking at it from the inside as I see it, and considering its many failures.... In the words of the Imitation of Christ what we are before God that we are. About the work I have done, my work has been almost entirely among the poor masses of our diocese... In fine principle it has been to be first convinced of the necessity or usefulness of the work to be undertaken and then to make the best of the means at hand leaving the rest to Gods providence, which has never failed me. You have made very touching references to my particular work of the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters, which you have been pleased to call my magnum opus...your expression of them I felt is very refreshing. Bethany is a work I have done through good report and evil report, through warm appreciation and severe criticism. I never thought that I would do it. I did not feel that I had the capacity for it. However following my general principle of action to make use of opportunities as they presented themselves and make the best of situations, I ventured to do what seemed to me to be the will of God, leaving the rest to His providence. Our Lord and His Blessed Mother under whose special patronage I placed the work were pleased to bless it with unexpected success. To recall the words of Bishop Perini of loving memory in short, Act if you have an inspiration to do and make use of the opportunities you have. ... The work of Bethany was therefore begun with our dear Bishop Perinis blessing and he warmly encouraged every little step it took. But for him it would have been nowhere. It passed through many vicissitudes; but now it is a fully developed Religious Congregation with normal canonical status in the Diocese. ...but it is great consolation to think that it (Bethany) has provided
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the grace of religious life for scores of our girls and the benefit of a Catholic education to hundreds of our poor children. ...My trust is that Bethany will outlive all prejudices and continue to be an example worthy of imitation. Mgr RFCs reply was preceded by the Address presented by The Catholic Association of South Kanara read by the then Vice-President Mr M S Sreshta. Esq., ICS, Ex-MLC Madras Presidency (he later became the first lay President of CASK): The salient noteworthy points are reproduced here which give a in-depth insight into the work and worthiness of our protagonist Mgr R F C Mascarenhas, the out going President of CASK on March 21,1941. Mr M S Sreshta:...The object of our Association is to promote the social, economic, educational and general welfare of the Konkani Catholic Community of this District (made up of parts of the present Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Hassan, Kasargod. The district South Kanara was then an important portion of the British Madras Presidency that embraced parts of the present Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra). Even before you became President of this Association, you took keen interest in its work. You took an important part in the preparation of memoranda forwarded to the Government, in regard to the educational and other grievances of our community...When the Chief Minister, Dr Subbarayan visited Mangalore in 1928, you helped in preparing a memorandum... and you were the chief spokesman of the deputation which met him. The result of this representation was the Government Order of 1929 which may be called the Magna Carta of the Catholic Schools, recognising as it did, the special requirements of Catholics in regard to schools. You were on one of the deputations sent by our Association to make representation to the Statutory Simon Commission when it visited Madras in 1929. After you became President of our Association in 1931 you were in a position to take more active part in its work. Your breadth of vision, your grasp of principles, your mastery of details, your clear thinking, your ability to discriminate between essentials and non-essentials, your courage, your
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accessibility and patient hearing of all that had to be said on a subject, and your firmness when once a decision was arrived at, in seeing that proper effect was given to it, all contributed to the very efficient work which was turned out by the Association during your regime. This work has been done without extravagant expenditure. There was a larger balance to the credit of the Association at the end of your regime than at its commencement. It would not be out of place to refer to the many claims you have on the Catholic Community, for valuable services rendered to it, apart from the work in the Association... It is at Bendur that your work as Parish Priest had its full efflorescence. In 1914 you were at the request of the Parishioners of the newly erected Parish, placed in charge of the Parish. For 17 years you were the (first) Vicar of Bendur. And it may be said of your work there: Si monumentum quaeris, circumspice... But your magnum opus is the establishment of the Congregation of the Bethany Sisters in July 1921. The main feature of this organization is that it is purely Indian - the work of an Indian priest with purely Indian materials and Indian means. Beginning with four candidates in July 1921, this Congregation has now 175 professed Sisters, 19 novices and 16 postulants. Besides the Mother House in Bendur, there are 15 branch Houses, of which two are in the Diocese of Calicut and two in the Poona Diocese (note that this was in 1941). [NB: More recent figures project, Bethany Congregation has spread over India and parts of the world, comprising of 1,300 nuns, 172 communities in 48 dioceses in India and 9 dioceses abroad. The nuns render services in womens welfare, orphanages, health care, geriatric care, and so on and particularly in education. The Bethany Education Society (BES) that the founder pioneered is a flagship of
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service in modern times. The Diocese of Mangalore and its surroundings have benefited significantly with over 60 institutions mainly Kannada and English Medium Schools, PU Colleges and Vocational Training Institutes. In the North and the Northeast of India, there are many reputed institutions under the banner of Bethany]... Above all you have, through the Bethany Sisters, carried out humanitarian work, by establishing three orphanages for girls with more than 100 orphans and a weaving establishment. A former Viceroy of India, Lord Wellington, said that rural problems in India have been one of the chief preoccupations of the administrations...for long past. You are contributing towards the solution of this problem in this district by your pioneering work in rural uplift in the extensive agricultural colony at Gurpur under the management of the Bethany Sisters, which promises to develop into a rural development centre....You have united in yourself, qualities rarely found in combination. You have proved a good administrator, a learned canonist, a lucid writer and a powerful preacher both in English and Konkani. Your part in the revival of the Konkani language deserves a mention...You have been the outstanding figure among the clergy of this diocese setting a great example by your piety, devotion and unostentatious and laborious work. With your life crowded with work for your diocese, your parish, your schools and institutions, you have found time to attend to other activities for which you were so well fitted that you could not be spared from them. You were thus a member of the District Educational Council from the time it was established, for two terms. You were the only member in the body representing the Catholic schools. The burden was a heavy one and you discharged it with ability. You have made a careful study of educational matters and are the leading authority in the Diocese....You were a member of the Mangalore Municipal Council where also you had to deal with educational questions, and where you always were listened to with respect. You were a Director and then President of the Roman Catholic Provident Fund from 1914 till this year. You were President of the Konkani Catholic Truth Society. ...
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We now wish you Good-bye and Godspeed, with a tearful heart. You may rest assured that you will always be remembered by this Association with esteem and affection and with gratitude for all the work you have done for it. And on the other hand we have no doubt that you will reserve a corner of your heart for us and will not be reluctant to continue to help us with advice and support whenever necessary. RFCs 75th Birthday & Golden Jubilee of Priesthood (1950) -Marked By Cask: Nine years later, in February 1950, Mr J P Rego, Pro-Ecclesia et

Pontifice, Tile magnate, a leading speaker and community leader,

addressing a felicitation from CASK for Mgr Mascarenhas, a past President of CASK, the double Jubilarian, 75 years of age and 50 years a priest, had this to say in the brand expression of the times. Selected Excerpts: This beautiful and immense gathering with smiling faces all around, and eyes aglow with enthusiasm, I do verily feel that Rev Jubilarian has already found an abiding place in the hearts of a grateful community, that he has most deserving secured a niche, in the temple of fame, and that his name will loom large in the pages of the history of the Diocese of Mangalore. When a grateful community foregather manifesting their esteem and affection, and wrote a public demonstration in his honour. Such an occasion manifests itself this evening. Today, it is our privilege to assemble here in such large numbers, to greet and felicitate the Very Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, who has completed 75 years on January 23 last, and who will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of his ordination on March 4. I am perfectly aware that the Rev Jubilarian is averse to all kinds of adulation, in whatever shape it may be offered. Like Dr Rajendra Prasad (the then and first President of Independent India) he would, if he could stop me from delivering this address in his honour. Rev Fr Jubilarian may rest assured, that our object in meeting here is not to offer incense, but to take stock of his various achievements during the last fifty years, praise God the giver of all gifts for having bestowed on us such a good, holy and gifted priest, who is not only a source of pride to
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the already well-known Mascarenhas family, but a source of joy to his many friends and well wishers in all walks of life...He transformed tiny parishes into suitable habitations for our Lord to dwell. So far as Bendoor is concerned, he founded there a bleak spot; he converted it into a flourishing parish. How he managed to spend a figure of Rs.75,000/ there, with his most slender resources, he alone could tell. The sobbing send-off that was given to him and the purse that was presented to him, on the occasion of his farewell, speak volumes to the affection and esteem, which Rev Jubilarian must have en-kindled in the hearts of Bendoor parishioners. But, of the inner springs of action that motivated Rev Jubilarian, I would offer one or two instances. One narrated to me by a fellow passenger, who travelled with him from Mangalore to Bombay. It was a two day voyage. Father was engrossed most of the day time in spiritual reading, while the entire night he passed in a camp chair reciting the rosary. On the first morning they landed at Marmagoa, while the rest of the passengers hurried to the nearest hotel for warming themselves up, Father was seen trudging his lonely way up the hill to where a chapel stood to say Mass. Back on board, he went through the same routine - no rest, no sleep - deeply prayerful throughout the night. The steamer reached Bombay and his first anxiety was when he could offer Mass. It was 11.30 when he returned from Church, to have his breakfast. Nothing kept him back from doing his sacred duty amidst all inconveniences. This is the man. If he has not yet reached the sublime heights of Calvary, he has at least attained Gethsemane. I remember an occasion, when a gathering was just disappearing after a nuptial ceremony. There is nothing strange that the guests should not hold on to listen to nuptial sermons. Married people seem to think that it is to be heard only once. Younger generation is of the opinion they have to wait for their own day to listen to it. Widows and widowers refuse to attend it, because it would recall past memories, with pangs of regret. Yet, when a whisper went round Fr Mascarenhas was the preacher, the audience suddenly retraced their steps, and heard him with rapt attention. Since then I have been witness to how people hung on to every word from
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his lips. We have little conception of the magnitude of the task of giving a spiritual formation to those young, simple, unsophisticated lives which comprise his Bethany. ... I said what a great reward awaits him. Let us pray that he may be spared for us yet another few years, hale in body and vigorous in mind. Let us pray that his remaining years may not be weighed down in increasing cares. Rome has recognised his work. Rev Jubilarian has yet to wait for greater recognition. Rome moves slowly. Allow me to express on behalf of all, our heartfelt gratitude for the very great services you rendered to the cause so dear to us Catholics. Replying to the felicitations on his 75th Birthday and 50 years of his Ordination, Mgr Raymond was all admiration for the Catholics of Mangalore in general and members of the Catholic Association of South Kanara. His final words were: While I thank you most heartily for all this, I earnestly pray that Our Lord and Blessed Mother may abundantly bless you, in particular, The Catholic Association of South Kanara, that it may daily grow from strength to strength, and that it may be a great instrument for good in our Diocese. Mgr RFC Mascarenhas - The Person This is a fitting opportunity to record a brief overview of the great life of Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas and his wide range of good works for humanity in general and more for the many who yet do not know him. Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas ancestors hail from among well known, fervent, local Konkani Catholics. Historians say that his ancestors were part of the group of Catholics who faced the 15 year captivity (1784-99) under Tipu Sultan. His father was serving in Shimoga and Raymond was born there on January 23, 1875. Returning to the ancestral home in Mangalore Raymond finished his studies, first at Milagres and later at the famous St Aloysius of Mangalore. His zeal for the Church was so strong that from an early age, he joined the St Josephs Seminary at Jeppu. He was an extraordinarily gifted scholar and was anointed a priest on March 4,
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1900. His first Mass was in his home parish Milagres, Mangalore; his family, relatives and friends were filled with joy. Many have testified that our Servant of God, Raymond, was glowing with zealous holiness even from the early days of priesthood. As a young priest he served at Milagres in Mangalore and then in Kallianpur. In 1903 he was for the first time appointed parish priest at Udyavar, a poor and far out place. He worked heroically and earned the confidence of the humble people of the area and established a new church. This reputation sent him to Agrar. In 1914, Fr Raymond was requisitioned to the new parish of Bendur, a barren place just outside Mangalore town of those times. It is seen that in the 17 years, 1914-31 that he spent at Bendur, it became a true Catholic centre of faith and development. Among his many achievements, the chief one is considered to be founding the only indigenous order of nuns at Bendur, Mangalore under the name of Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany on July 16, 1921, building the church and the parish. God had greater plans for him and he was not appointed Bishop as expected, but accepted the role of Vicar General until he retired in 1941, to guide and shape his beloved spiritual child BETHANY. His special love and zeal for the Eucharist was testified by many. Alex Pais, advocate of the High Court of Mumbai says, Years ago I spent a few days at Udyavar. ... I had not met Fr Mascarenhas before that He was young then one Sunday at Mass, the celebrant at the altar was celebrating Mass with such unction, such deliberation, and such absorption that the picture has always remained in my mind, no other priest at the altar since has produced on me an impression akin to this. During the life time of Mgr Raymond the Mass and Church rites were in Latin, people spoke highly of his deep concern. The then assistant parish priest Fr John Cornelio has noted in his book, His deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament manifested itself especially at Mass; never in a hurry, feeling what he says and giving expression to almost every word, both to the prayers and to the reading of the Epistles and Gospels. He was at his best, when there arose an opportunity of giving public honour to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
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The people of Mangalore are ever grateful to him for encouraging the setting up of the first St Vincent de Paul unit at Bendur in 1926, supported by prominent persons who worked in Bombay. In 1938, Mgr RFC played an important role in the famous Eucharistic Congress of the time. In 1955, recognizing Mgr Mascarenhas singular services the then Bishop Rt Rev Basil Peres recommended him to the Holy See and he was granted the honour of `Domestic Prelate` which is a special recognition for the clergy equivalent to a knight. A local observer dedicated to learning from local Church writings, fervently observes that the great mind of Mgr Raymond, displays identifiable qualities absorbed in early life from his Jesuit mentors and Church exposure as a student of St Aloysius College and St Josephs Seminary. One evident example may be to compare Mgr Raymond with the first Parish Priest Fr Urban Stein SJ of Rosario Cathedral (1879-88). The similarities it may be said are clearly incidental- the importance to education, the all consuming importance for the Eucharist and the divine Mother, the founding of an indigenous congregation, the holistic guiding of the faithful in liturgy and such are worth considering. He developed every facet of the vital religious and social facade in the diocese and surroundings as Vicar General from 1931. In this all important position he proved himself to be a powerhouse of the Lord. He gained the admiration and awe of the Bishops, the church and the envy of the devil. After his retirement in 1941, he lived in the famous old and tiny cottage near Bethany Convent at Bendur. He worked tirelessly for its growth which was very rapid not only in South India but in the North, Northeast and overseas too. Mgr Mascarenhas exclusive contribution to encourage vocations at all cost was his forte; and this pays dividends even today. The facet of his leadership in the Media is of prime importance; he has penned several books in Konkani, Kannada and English. His translations of Prayer Books and major parts of the Bible from Latin and English into Konkani are of particular importance to the local people. It was his insight of what the Vatican Council II would later establish. Cardinal Fumasoni
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Biondi, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation de Propaganda Fide in the Vatican sent a letter of felicitation for his Konkani translation of the New Testament. His service to the uplift and perpetuation of Konkani in the area is extolled even today. He is also a widely travelled person of his time not only in India, but made trips to Rome, Europe, US and the Holy land and so on. His command over the English language has been admired consistently and this gift from the Lord contributed in interfacing with high Government officials. Yet, Konkani was his special forte and his love for all aspects of Konkani culture ruled his head and heart always. In contemporary terms, this holy Servant of God not only faced head -on but seemed to provide an understanding solution to the ills that people today face in great tragic measure in the twenty first century world. He was a prophet before his time and as time moves ahead, enlightened humans are able to see the design of God in his actions and exhortations like a revelation unfolding. There are many challenges humanity all over the world is facing today. The primary of these are Fundamentalism, Globalization, Gender Discrimination, Rape of Nature and Environment, Corruption and Materialism. The lost sense of sin which has become today the greatest enemy to the good of humanity, constantly concerned Mgr Mascarenhas. His candid talks and sermons were often very vivid and curative putting back on track many tested lives. Many older people of Mangalore were aware that Mgr Raymond in his holiness and goodness towards one and all, as often the case is with holy men, faced intense sufferings for the glory of God. It is clear that our own saint in waiting faced all trials with equanimity in Christ the Master, in depths of faith, as a portion in the sufferings of Jesus and mother Mary.
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On February 29, 1960 in anticipation of the Diamond Jubilee of his priesthood (March 4) celebrations he was struck down by a paralytic stroke that left him bound to his bed in the Cottage at Bethany till his heroic death on December 23, 1960. His passing away stunned the city. Rt Rev Raymond D Mello the Bishop mourned, Mgr Mascarenhas is a holy priest who has done great service for God. He was entombed on Christmas eve with great reverence and solemnity at the foot of the altar as per the wishes of the people of Mangalore, at Bendur Church which be built, although Mgr Raymond had earlier prepared a tomb for himself near the Bethany chapel. Today, these places are sacred to his devotees who visit them to ask for favours often granted and published. Most of the saintly go unsung and may not be proclaimed saints. Those who are declared saints provide the example and the path to sainthood to every Christian and in fact to every human. In its decree Ad Gentes the Churches Vatican Council II stated, saints may be even those who do not belong to the fold. As Catholics we are called upon to pay attention in the light of Mgr Raymonds life and works as human beings. One of the most beautiful documents of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes) says, All men are endowed with a rational soul and are created in Gods image; they have the same nature and origin and they enjoy the same divine calling and destiny; there is here a basic equality between all men and it must be given ever greater recognition. It may be concluded that this illustrious priest- son of Mangalore Rev Mgr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas left an indelible stamp on the people in the Catholic Association of Mangalore (CASK) and the Church of Mangalore, through his generous services as Pastor - President for a decade from 1931 to 1941. There is ample record that even before and after this tenure he has maintained good connections with CASK and its
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members. On the other hand CASK, its key leaders, council and members have continuously had a special corner in their hearts for this holy and compassionate Pastor and have continued to remember and project his weighty influence and affection through the messages and information CASK has been able to disseminate to its members and a wide cross section of people world wide over the decades to date, as we can see through the above anthology. It is a fervent hope that with the activities of CASK set to expand by virtue of the landmark Centenary (1914-2014), a suitable vehicle will be created by the community leaders to aid and support the cause on the path to sainthood of our very own insider in an exclusive and concrete manner. This awareness and support may probably go a long way to ensure that the cause of our dear Mgr Raymond will reach its logical conclusion early in the near future. It will make Mangalore and its children proud and allow many more deserving Mangaloreans get recognition in time to come with intercession of this holy Servant of God and blessings of the Lord Jesus the Master of all.

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CANONIZATION & SAINTHOOD - HISTORY

At this point of time and jubilation, it is heard that permission is accorded by Rome to shift the grave and mortal remains of Servant of God Raymond F C Mascarenhas, to enable better honour and access. At his death on 23 December, 1960, the parishioners of Bendur insisted their first parish priest be buried inside the Bendur church, although Mgr Raymond had prepared his grave below the grotto of Our Lady in the Bethany Motherhouse nearby that may still be seen. His grave before the main altar of the Bendur church could not be properly honoured by devotees in its present circumstance. So, it is to be located in the recently extended wing on the left side of the church and it is a glad tiding that due importance will be accorded to this holy tomb and memorial. Talking of graves/tombs, Saints and Canonization it is interesting to note the following: It was nine centuries after the Church came into existence that the first individual was officially raised to the honours of the altar and declared a Saint of the Church, on 3 February, 993 by Pope John XV; the Saint was St Ulrich, Bishop of Augsburg, presently in Bavaria, Germany. Of course there were, as there are today, many saints, but they have not undergone the official process prescribed by the Holy See; that is why we observe All Saints Day every year on the first day of November to honour them. In earlier times saints were acclaimed by vox populi just public popularity. Today, a Catholics fame of holiness sets in motion the process of official Church canonization. Gradually, to avoid abuse the Bishops reserved the right to recommend a specific member of the faithful for public devotion, but they always did so by the demand of the faithful. During the early age of Christianity and persecutions, the Eucharist was usually celebrated upon the tombs of deceased Christians on their anniversaries. As the Romans took little notice, it was passed off to be in keeping with Roman customs of dining at the tombs of the dead. The first Christian liturgies were a
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close imitation of what occurred at the Last Supper; there was not yet an established rite, nor established liturgical vestments, sacred vessels and so on to foster devotion; there was not even a Church for that matter. This observance became generalized with time, and there was pomp in celebrating the Mass as we now call it. St Augustine, in his Confessions tells of the Eucharist he celebrated on the tomb of his mother, St Monica. With passage of time the bones or relics (Latin relinquere, to leave behind) of holy people were shifted to Churches for safety and sacredness. This gradually gave rise to the practice to entomb (place in a grave) mortal remains of holy people worthy of veneration. With the increase in the number of saints, the Church established criteria necessary to proclaim saints officially by the Church after due process, which is open to continuous modifications and strict rules. Thus our protagonist Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas is on this path the Church has laid down towards sainthood.

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-Postulator Cause of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas Bethany Convent, Kankanady Post Mangalore - 575 002 Karnataka, India Managing Editor

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IN QUEST OF A SAINT- MGR RAYMOND F C MASCARENHAS ASPECT OF FAITH ROLE MODEL

Mr James DSouza There was a suggestion from a very loving person a person of substance, I would concede that I write a piece on Aspect of Faith of Mgr RFC, to coincide with and as a finale to the closing of the Year of Faith proclaimed by Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI. Faith is such a delicate word, and I admit that my knowledge and learning is too inadequate even to touch the topic. However, since my contact happens to be a person too good to be disappointed or ignored, and also, as is my wont - a joy and a mission always to write something on our beloved RFC for the information and enlightenment of my readers, more specially the post 1960 of Bethanyites, I made a feeble attempt to put pen to paper. Now, coming to the topic for this piece. What is the definition of the word faith? What is faith and who is the repository of this faith? Then again, is it faith in God, faith in the teachings of the Church, faith in oneself? Is it the same (blind) faith that came down to us from our forefathers? Faith, trust, belief, confidence do all these mean the same? The virtue of humility springs from a spirit of Faith, RFC had said in his exhortation to his spiritual daughters. The reverse is more true. He also spoke of the importance of prayer for salvation, and he quoted St Paul, It is no use preaching if we ourselves are cast out. But, what is prayer worth, if the suppliant lacks faith in the One he is praying to? I am not looking for answers to these and many more questions like these on what we refer to as faith for the simple reason that it is outside the scope of this presentation. When a man humbles himself to accept defeats and failures in life, realizes his inability to achieve peace through his own efforts what the
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great writer and thinker the late Archbishop Fulton J Sheen calls creative despair, and looks to God as his surest hope, that is manifestation of faith, sure and simple. When disappointed and frustrated at his pleadings before God going unheeded, does not give up in despair but perseveres in his prayer that again, in my humble opinion, is faith, though I must concede the expression pleadings sounds a bit personal with a touch of selfishness, while, persevere is faith lily - white and absolute. Elsewhere, I have refered to Faith in God and Faith in oneself. Mgr RFC had both these in abundance, manifestations of which were evident from the early days of his priestly life at the beginning of the last century. To this I could add the words of Paul J Mayer, My Philosophy has always been to bite off more than I can chew and then chew it properly, or the Psalmist, the zeal of the House of God has consumed me (Ps. 69/9). Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable and receives the impossible says Corrie Ten Boom (I borrowed this beautiful quote from a friend). Faith without works is dead, says Apostle James (Js 2:14). It would be incredible to assume that Mgr RFC was ignorant of this Biblical quote when he ventured into undertaking formidable tasks, took the path not treaded by anyone at that time in that part of the country. When society was eulogizing the affluent, he went for the poor and the marginalized- the girl child and the illiterates. Hardly ten years a priest, we see him building churches in remote places like Udyavar and Agrar, with no financial or moral support from any quarters. Will I be able to put life into these dry bones?, he had said in 1914 on being appointed parish priest to the newly formed Parish of St Sebastian in Bendur; Parish sans a church for worship, presbytery, land, not even drinking water! He knew, he could and he would. He challenged himself by demonstrating to the world his tremendous and unshakable faith in God and in himself, and his integrity and capacity in inculcating the same in others. A magnificent church that took ten years to build brick by- brick by begging for help as miniscule as a single rupee. In between, with four young ladies determined to dedicate their lives in Gods service as Religious Sisters, who put their
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faith in him to be the nucleus of the Religious Congregation that he founded, with no resources but his prayers and his faith. And, the result? By the time these reached their Silver Jubilee Years, some 80 priestly vocations from the Parish, four of whom became Bishops, over hundred nuns in the Convent, living quarters for them, a beautiful Chapel, three schools and what not! Dry bones brought to life? Literature is luxury; fiction is a necessity, wrote G K Chesterton. This simple narration is by no means a fiction nor can it be classified a piece of literature. A luxury it may be for the reader in that it is about a great man whom I describe as a Saint in the Making. May God hasten the process of his Beatification and grant him the honours of the altar soon. And may God Bless you all.

The new tomb of Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas in St Sebastians Church, Bendur

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FAVOURS RECEIVED THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS AND PUBLISHED IN RAKNNO, THE KONKANI WEEKLY OF MANGALORE DIOCESE AND THE SECULAR CITIZEN
2010/04My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours received through his intercession Alice D Souza 2010/05My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours received through his intercession Anita Pais, Elinje 2010/06My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours received through his intercession A devotee 2010/07My heartfelt thanks to Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas for granting good health. Praying for more favours Ignatius D Souza, Mangalore/Dubai 2010/08My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours received through his intercession A devotee, Arsikere 2010/09I have managed to get a good job through the intercession of the Bethany Founder, Servant of God Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas. My thanks to him. Laveena M Sequeira, Kemar, Paladka 2010/10My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours received through his intercession Anthony Rebello, Kulshekar 2010/11Favours received through the intercession of RFC Mascarenhas, Servant of God Sr Blandine, BS 2010/12Thanks to Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas for the favours granted in successful operation Precilla Mathias, Parel
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CONTRIBUTORS
Mgr Denis Prabhu is at present the Vicar General of the Mangalore Diocese. He has worked in various capacities in the priestly ministry in the diocese since 1967 earning a reputation as a holy and able priest who has played many roles in the last 46 years. Assistant Parish Priest, Teacher, Vocations Director/ Chairman, Secretary of CBE, Director of Family Life Service Centre, Parish Priest at Milagres, Permude and Urwa, Chancellor of the Diocese and so on. He is a great admirer of the Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas. One of Fr Denis mentors was Mgr Marian Castelino, a close associate of Mgr Raymond; this connection gives great credibility and substance to the writers views and insights. He contributes informative and erudite articles on Mgr Raymond from his personal memory and his articles are greatly valued.

Mr James DSouza, a devoted elder and octogenarian admirer of the Servant of God, recollects his long association with Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas. He knew Mgr Raymond as a young boy and was his altar server at Bendur Church for long; later too he had a lively contact for a long time. Mr James DSouza exerts every effort to make Raymond known to the people. Now living in Bangalore he contributes much to the Cause of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas and is eager to see Mgr Mascarenhas raised to the altars early, his enthusiasm is unique.

Mr Ivan Saldanha is a member of the Editorial Board of Compassionate Pastor. He is a senior citizen who for the last few years has relocated to Mangalore and
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has interested himself in Mangalores history, regularly contributing widely to local print and electronic media. He has been closely associated with CASK and has contributed often to Mangalore magazine. He has been keen in promoting the Cause of the Servant of God of Raymond Mascarenhas from the very start and never misses an occasion to write about this saintly cause and Mgr Raymond.

Prof Edmund Frank is an educationist, banker, social worker and philanthropist of excellence, well known in Mangalore. He was professor and dean of PGDBM, St Aloysius College, (Autonomous) Mangalore, author of three books on Business Management, former secretary of Catholic Association of South Kanara -CASK and Editor of Mangalore magazine formerly. He is an innovative farmer and has converted a barren land at Bolanthoor, Kalladka, into a high yielding farm. He was the recipient of the Rachana Agriculturalist of the Year Award 2013. At present he is the President of Senior Citizens Welfare Association of Bendur parish. He is an enthusiastic well-wisher in the Cause of Mgr Raymond.

Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB, is a Salesian priest of the Panjim-Konkan Province of the Salesians of Don Bosco. He has been a priest for over 43 years serving in pioneering situations in four states of India. He now resides at the Provincial House, Odxel Goa. He is a great-grandnephew of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. He takes great pride that his dear departed mother remembered the Servant of God Mgr Raymond very well with great affection and respect.

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