Managing Editor

Sr M Wilberta, BS

Chief Editor

Sr M Lillis, BS

MEMBERS

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

ContentsEditorial Board

THE COMPASSIONATE PASTORDECEMBER 2013

1. Editorial 59

2. Homily preached by Bishop Aloysius Paul

D’Souza on the 53rd Death Anniversary

of SD Raymond Mascarenhas 61

3. A Faithful Servant

- Rt Rev Mgr Denis Moras Prabhu 65

4. Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas‘ Holy Year

Pilgrimage- 1934

- Rev Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB 74

7. Fr Raymond, the Promoter of Social

Advancement

- Mr Edmund Frank 77

5. A Pastor - President of Catholic

Association of South Kanara 1931- 41

- Mr Ivan Saldanha 81

6. In Quest of a Saint- Mgr Raymond F C

Mascarenhas -Aspect of Faith Role Model

- Mr James D’Souza 99

8. Favours Received 102

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INSPIRING SAYINGS OFTHE SERVANT OF GOD

RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS

Mary is a mother who will never turn her face from us, neverfail 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, weenjoy a peace which is very necessary for prayer.”

“If our life spent in suffering, sickness, humiliation or hardwork, and if we offer that to God, how soon we will be greatApostles of suffering, uniting our pains to those of Jesus.”

“Gratitude is a noble virtue and it should be a characteristic of alife dedicated to God.”

“Faith enables us to see all things in the same light as God viewsthem.”

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EDITORIALThrough his new apostolic exhortation ‘The Joy

of the Gospel’, Pope Francis gives us a clarion call fora joyful proclamation of the Gospel to the entire world.This document is a great gift of the Holy Father to theChurch as a map and guide for her pastoral mission.Within a short period of time this exhortation hascreated ripples of new fervour and ardour for

evangelisation. His own personal life examples bear testimony to thisconcept of evangelisation, new in fervour, ardour and method. Exampleis better than precept is an age old dictum. The Church in India has beenprivileged to receive the services of numerous foreign missionaries whohave enthused us for a joyous proclamation of the Gospel. Fortunately,we have begun to recognise the valiant missionaries of India who havelived a heroic life and who continue to inspire us to be effectiveevangelisers. One of them is declared a saint; a few of them blessed anda good number are Servants of God.

Monsignor Raymond is one such Indian spiritual stalwart who isgaining the attention of people of Mangalore and other places. Hisintercessory power has been felt by several persons and to make it growfurther, the Bendur Parish, in Mangalore has taken great interest in thisServant of God who was their first parish priest. Recognising the holinessof this Servant of God, with the recommendation of Rev Fr Antony Serrao,the parish priest, the Parish Council, and with the permission of the SacredCongregation for the Cause of Saints, Rome, the process of exhumation,identification and transfer of the mortal remains of the Servant of God toan imposing new tomb was carried out by Most Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza,the Bishop of Mangalore. This gives better access to the people whodesire to pray at the tomb of this saintly priest, and to draw inspirationfrom his life. The vibrant parish the Monsignor had established, celebratesits Centenary in the month of January 2014.

Glancing through the articles in this issue, one can assert that MgrRaymond Mascarenhas, a visionary far ahead of his time exemplify in hislife the major dimensions of Pope Francis’ vision of the new evangelizationhighlighted 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 unionwith God which did not diminish amidst trials and sufferings. The homiliesof Bishop Aloysius of Mangalore Diocese, delivered on the occasion of the53rd death anniversary Eucharistic celebration accentuate the fact thatMgr Raymond’s rootedness in Christ, is the cause of his joy.

Rt Rev Mgr Denis Prabhu reflects on the life of the Servant of God inthe context of the Year of Faith. He spotlights how the Servant of Godgrew up in the supernatural virtues of faith, hope and love and alludes tothe dynamism he had to think of new things, reflect over the life of theChurch, the Church in Mangalore in particular. Rev Fr Michael MascarenhasSDB paints a vivid picture of Mgr Raymond’s Holy Year Pilgrimage to HolyLand, Rome and Turin, and visits to the tombs of saints which seemed tohave generated in him a deep desire to have saints from his home town,Mangalore.

Mr Ivan Saldanha presents an anthology bringing home to us theindelible stamp, the illustrious priest - son of Mangalore, has left on thepeople in the Catholic Association of South Kanara, (CASK) giving specialcredit to his pastoral activities, chiefly talks and sermons. Mr James D’Souzaunderlines that Mgr Raymond had intense faith in God, as well as in oneselfand his faith was expressed in service to the people especially the poor.Mr Edmond Frank underscores the contribution of the Servant of God forhuman 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 issuewhich undoubtedly unravel the hidden treasures of the life and mission ofMonsignor Raymond who inspires all of us to love our Mother Church andactively participate in her mission of sharing the joy of the Gospel.

Sr Lillis BSEditor

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HOMILY PREACHED BY BISHOP ALOYSIUSPAUL D’SOUZA ON THE 53RD DEATH

ANNIVERSARY OF SD RAYMONDMASCARENHAS

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 person’s early years, the damage is permanent. Lack of basic

trust leaves the person in a state of permanent insecurity, which affects

all aspects of one’s 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 Lord’s 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 prophet’s 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 today’s 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 Mary’s life is a result of all that has

gone before. Mary in her immaculate conception was filled with the grace

of God’s presence. Her assumption into heaven is the culmination of a life

lived in total faith and trust in the Lord’s 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 God’s 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

God’s 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

The Holy Father, Benedict XVI had declared the Year of Faith from

11th of October 2012 to 24th of November 2013. This Year of Faith was to

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

Church’s 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

world’s 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 Peter’s Square on 8th December

1965. During the Council four important Constitutions were proclaimed:

1. Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (Lumen Gentium),

2. Revelation – Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum)

3. Liturgy- Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium)

4. The Church Today- Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern

World (Gaudium et Spes).

There were nine decrees:

1. Communications (Inter Mirifica)

2. Ecumenism (Unitatis Redintegratio)

3. Eastern Churches (Orinatilium Eclesiarum)

4. Bishops (Christus Dominus)

Rt Rev Mgr Denis Moras Prabhu

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5. Priestly Formation (Optatam Totius)

6. Religious Life (Prefectae Caritates)

7. Laity (Apostolicam Actuasitatem)

8. Priests (Presbyterorum Ordinis)

9. Missions (Ad Gentes)

There were three declarations:

1. Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis)

2. Non Christians (Nostra Aetate)

3. Religious Freedom (Dignitatis Humanae)

Hence there were four constitutions, nine decrees and three

declarations.

The over 2000 Council Fathers gathered at St Peter’s 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 Peter’s 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 Peter’s 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

70

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. Today’s 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 God’s 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 Bishop’s 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.

74

MGR RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS‘ HOLYYEAR PILGRIMAGE- 1934

Four hundred eager pilgrims departed from Mumbai on this longpilgrimage. For most of them it was just a fulfilling sightseeing exerciseor the curiosity of seeing the Holy Land and places of Biblical interestwhere Our Lord Jesus and Mother Mary lived, or visiting the pilgrimagecentres in France which every privileged Christian would love to see.

One among these pilgrims was Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for whomthis pilgrimage was going to be a real deepening of faith experience andfor the concepts he had in mind. He, from the commencement of thejourney realized two things. First of all, he felt there was a peculiar bondingforce uniting all these people from diverse backgrounds who had cometogether from all the corners of India for the first time. There were priestsand nuns, men and women of different shades and hues, all focused onspecially one feature that they represented- One Holy Catholic Church,one people of God in India. Second, he felt a kind of bonding permeatingtheir hearts and giving them a new unified feeling. They all instinctivelythought in terms of One Mother, One Church.1

The first phase was their experience in the Holy Land. Mgr RFC hadread how Ignatius of Loyola had gone on a similar pilgrimage. He haddone the first part of the journey walking through Northern Spain till hereached the port of Genoa. Thence taking a ship he reached Crete andfinally Joppa on the coast of the Holy Land. From there it was just fourdays‘ on a donkey‘s back, before they sighted the domes of Jerusalem.2

As Monsignor went from site to site, he was transported with joy whenhe 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 toCalvary and the Holy Sepulchre. As he reached Bethany and the Mount ofOlives, he felt a special transport of light that carried him forward andmoistened his eyes as he directed his thoughts towards the future of his

Rev Fr Michael Mascarenhas SDB

1 “The Return of the Holy Year Pilgrims,” Mangalore July 1934 (Mangalore: CatholicAssociation of South Kanara), 251

2 de Dalmases Candido, Ignatius of Loyola (Institute of Jesuit Resources), 78.

75

fledgling effort for the Sisters that he had begun in 1921. He was impelledtowards Bethphage too.

Similarly, in France, Mgr RFC was indeed impressed by the gloriesof Lourdes and other places, but he again felt a select feeling of transportof light on reaching Lisieux. The dignity and teachings of the Little Flower,her ‘Little Way,‘ taught him great lessons in simplicity and smallness. Hefelt unique experiences of the depth and unction of this great saint.

Mgr RFC made a special detour to Northern Italy. From his readingof Anderson‘s Life of Don Bosco, he had realised that here was a manguided by God, to do for boys what he was trying to do for young ruralgirls in Mangalore, mould them into Sisters and Apostles for the glory ofChrist and the Church. Don Bosco had started with nothing.3 He like DonBosco had no inkling of how to go ahead. The Spirit would lead him. Howis it that so many vaddos, in parishes and little workshops and recreationclubs in distant villages and towns from Mangalore to Udupi were bearinghis name?

What surprised Mgr was that in a few weeks time, Don Bosco wasdue to be canonised by Pius XI in Rome. But that suburb of Turin bore thestamp of three great saints, three great institutions, one alongside theother. All three founders had died in the odour of sanctity and their sacredremains were kept alongside the institutions they had founded at such atremendous personal cost.

The first of these institutions was that of the ‘Oratory for HomelessBoys‘ founded by St John Bosco in 1841. These boys hailed from neighbouringvillages seeking employment in the industrial climate of Turin. They couldbe seen along the river Po, staring at the well-dressed and perfumed whopassed by without a glance at these poor urchins. Don Bosco was able toassess the situation and gather these boys beginning with just one brick-layer who came for a weekday Mass. Today after 60 years, on that veryspot stood a majestic Basilica dedicated to Mary, Help of all Christians. MgrRFC realized that here was a set pattern for him to work on.

Just parallel to this Oratory for homeless boys, he experiencedsomething that held him dumbfounded. The Little House of Providence3 Wirth Morand, Don Bosco and his Salesians(Pauline Books Media), 17.

76

founded by St Benedict Joseph of Cottolengo.4 It was on the 27th of April1932, Canon Cottolengo settled on the outskirts of the city with 35 sickpersons rejected by all the existing hospitals of Turin and the surroundingtowns. In the quarter called Valdocco, the Canon had rented a ramshacklebuilding that had been a pub, and he arrived on a donkey cart accompaniedby two nuns. The work had grown. Today it was a home for about 10,000inmates of all description: the deaf, the dumb, the half paralytics, epileptics,mental cases and so forth, under the care of a thousand members fromdifferent religious congregations. One congregation of Sisters carried outall the work of washing, another cooking and others dedicated to variouscharitable works. There was a body of religious, praying taking turns dayin and day out, in the church, without interruption. This House of Providencewhich required a million lire per month for its upkeep had no funds, noendowments, no account books. It depended purely on charity whichProvidence sends it day by day. The whole miracle of Providence was alesson of extreme heroism and trust in God. Why could not CatholicMangalore have one such Home of Providence? As Monsignor descendedthe steps of the Little House, he was deep in thought.

The third institute lying parallel to the previous two also left himequally shocked. The present co-founder St Joseph Cafasso, happened tobe the confessor of Don Bosco. He was considered a man of tremendousholiness and spiritual counsel. Many a priest and nun and lay personsought his advice and counsel. He demonstrated a rare gift of controlover souls and was considered capable of converting the hardest of hearts.He was in the habit of visiting the prisons and when there was someunfortunate criminal condemned to death, he would ride with him on thecart, comforting him till the very end. No wonder he was nicknamed ‘ThePriest of the Gallows.‘5

For Mgr RFC, the visits to these institutions, especially the last twowere unforgettable experiences. Mangalore had to grow to feel the needfor such foundations. They had to trust more in Providence and they hadto have the religious feelings of a Moses and an Aaron who led theirpeople through the turbulent waters of the Red Sea, trusting in God.

4 Bosco Teresio, Don Bosco (Don Bosco Medien GmbH), 87.5 Bosco Teresio, Don Bosco (Don Bosco Medien GmbH), 128.

77

FR RAYMOND, THE PROMOTER OFSOCIAL ADVANCEMENT

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

Martha‘s 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

Mr Edmund Frank

78

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 Bethany-

sponsored 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 Bethany‘s 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 1930‘s 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

79

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

80

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.

81

A PASTOR - PRESIDENT OF THE CATHOLICASSOCIATION OF SOUTH KANARA 1931-1941

An Anthology

Significant insight into the dedicated role of visionary Mgr RaymondFC Mascarenhas, now ‘Servant of God’, in his efforts for the Community’swelfare from 1931 to 1941 is examined closely in this anthology. As

President of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK), a premiercommunity service organisation of Mangalore Catholics, he had renderedworthy service. CASK has just commenced its CentenaryCelebrations in September 2013. It isworth to note how this saintly priest was aleader and a pastor in his own unique manner

and now the first in the Catholic Church inKanara on the path to sainthood. Readingthrough what was said by Mgr Raymond himselfand what the local leaders of those days had to sayhighlighting many of the qualities, assets and hisdedication. The sublime personality of this great prelate

is revealed to different people differently.

Our Compassionate Pastor, Servant of God RFC Mascarenhas, wasmany things to many people during his service in the Lord’s vineyardparticularly from 1900 to 1960. Time and again it has been seen that hehas in special ways been a trail blazer as a priest of the Catholic Church inMangalore and a caring compassionate pastor to the core. Most

diligent Founder of Bethany, humble with a spirit divine he pioneered manypaths. His significant service to countless causes in the half a century ofhis God-filled labour for the people and the Church of God indicates thepower of the hand of the Lord Himself. It is fitting to reflect and dig deeperinto his yeoman services to the Mangalorean Konkani Catholic Communityas the Prelate President of the Catholic Association of South Kanara (CASK)

for ten long years 1931-1941.

Mr Ivan Saldanha

82

Founded in 1914, CASK has just set foot into its Centenary year 2013-

2014. Therefore, it is here fitting to reflect on this first Servant of God

from the Mangalorean community and Kanara and his contributions. Hissaintliness not only enhances the goodness of the community, the Churchof Christ but also blesses people of goodwill at large. To know that thiscontemporary saintly priest of our community, our very own, who extended God’s goodness through his saintliness to all people around him, mustinspire and support in many ways the greater good of Christ and his

Church which is forever alive and growing in many directions before ourvery eyes. That he is the primary individual, who visualised, founded andguides Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, is a matter of pride to thisCongregation. Born in the soil of Mangalore it must proceed to motivatethe pride and generosity of every Mangalore Catholic wherever theyare. This will inspire CASK and all people of Kanara in particular and

strengthen the love and respect that guides them. CASK over the yearshas displayed a commendable effort to bring to Mangaloreans the veryspecial place that Rev Mgr Raymond has been given. Particularly relevanthere is the coverage its magazine Mangalore which commenced publicationin 1927 has provided from time to time to this revolutionary holy priest, apresident of the Organisation for a whole decade. Particularly noteworthy

is the cover feature with many rare pictures it printed in its July 2008issue, following the recognition of Mgr Mascarenhas as ‘Servant of God’.

In bringing to the fore the reputation and great leadership of MgrRaymond FC Mascarenhas of fond memory to all Kanarites, an Anthologyof a few little known passages originating from CASK’s sources and peopleof 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 communityhere. Mgr Raymond has consistently played a leading role all through hispriestly service. Here highlighted is his dedicated service for the pilgrimchurch through CASK. A quick review of the issues of Mangalore particularlyin the 1930s and 40s, one often finds the good work of Mgr Mascarenhasmentioned 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.

83

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 CASK’s 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 RFC’s 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

85

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 God’s 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 Perini’s 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

86

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 RFC’s 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

87

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 women’s 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

88

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.

RFC’s 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

90

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 Joseph’s 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 Joseph’s 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 Christianand in fact to every human. In its decree “Ad Gentes” the Churches’ VaticanCouncil 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 Raymond’slife and works as human beings. One of the most beautiful documents of

the Second Vatican Council in 1965 “The Pastoral Constitution on the Churchin the Modern World (Gaudium et Spes)” says, “All men are endowed witha rational soul and are created in God’s image; they have the same natureand origin and they enjoy the same divine calling and destiny; there ishere a basic equality between all men and it must be given ever greaterrecognition.”

It may be concluded that this illustrious priest- son of Mangalore RevMgr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas left an indelible stamp onthe people in the Catholic Association of Mangalore (CASK) and the Churchof Mangalore, through his generous services as Pastor - President for adecade from 1931 to 1941. There is ample record that even before andafter 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 membershave continuously had a special corner in their hearts for this holy andcompassionate Pastor and have continued to remember and project his

weighty influence and affection through the messages and informationCASK has been able to disseminate to its members and a wide crosssection of people world wide over the decades to date, as we can seethrough the above anthology. It is a fervent hope that with the activities ofCASK set to expand by virtue of the landmark Centenary (1914-2014), asuitable 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 exclusiveand concrete manner. This awareness and support may probably go along way to ensure that the cause of our dear Mgr Raymond will reach itslogical conclusion early in the near future. It will make Mangalore and itschildren proud and allow many more deserving Mangaloreans getrecognition 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 Catholic’s 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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THE COMPASSIONATE PASTOR

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

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

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

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

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

your experiences for possible inclusion in this bulletin.

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

Managing Editor

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.

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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

IN QUEST OF A SAINT- MGR RAYMONDF C MASCARENHAS

ASPECT OF FAITH ROLE MODEL

Mr James D’Souza

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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 God’s 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 FCMascarenhas in St Sebastian’s Church, Bendur

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FAVOURS RECEIVED THROUGH THEINTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD

RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS AND PUBLISHEDIN 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 writer’s views and insights. He contributes informative and erudite

articles on Mgr Raymond from his personal memory and his articles are

greatly valued.

Mr James D’Souza, 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 D’Souza 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 Mangalore’s 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.