The long-awaited New Missal in Konkani (Romi Misa-Gronth) was officially released by Archbishop Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão of of Goa and Daman, western Indis, during the solemn feast Mass of St Francis Xavier at Old Goa on December 3.
Speaking on the occasion, Cardinal Ferrão lauded the tireless efforts of the Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani (CLK–Goa) and congratulated all those involved in bringing forth this important liturgical text in the Roman script.
Auxiliary Bishop Bishop Simião Fernandes released Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Soho-Somarombhpeanchea Upeoga Pasot (The Order of Mass for the Concelebrants).
The process of revising and preparing the new Missal has been an extensive and collaborative journey across Konkani-speaking dioceses. The first meeting of the regional representatives was held on March 26, 2010, at the Bishop’s House, Mangalore, and was chaired by Bishop Aloysius D’Souza, now Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore. The Archdiocese of Goa and Daman was represented by Fr Afonso Mendonca, Fr Tomas Lobo, and the late Fr Cristovao Caldeira.
The Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani comprised the dioceses of Mangalore, Goa and Daman, Sindhudurg, Karwar, Udupi, and Belgaum. The Commission studied and presented the liturgical texts in four columns, Latin, English, present Konkani, and proposed Konkani. To accelerate the work, two groups were formed: Group I (Goa and Daman, Sindhudurg, and Belgaum) and Group II (Mangalore, Udupi and Karwar). Portions of the Mass were divided accordingly for translation and review.
The working groups met periodically, consulted several priests proficient in Konkani and Latin, and incorporated their comments. Each refined version was presented during the Commission meetings, which took place every three months for four to five consecutive days. Even the final agreed-upon texts were circulated among more than 20 priests in Goa (Roman Script) for further feedback, leading to additional refinements.
The Goa-based members of the Commission included Fr Afonso Mendonça (Convenor), Bishop Simião Fernandes, Fr Tomas Lobo, Fr Manuel Gomes, the late Fr Cristovao Caldeira, the late Fr Almir De Souza, and the late Fr Kyriel D’Souza SFX.
The Music Committee for the Konkani Missal, tasked with unifying tunes for the entire region, included Fr Afonso Mendonca (Convenor), Fr Ronald Serrao (CLK–Mangalore), Fr Tomas Lobo (CLK–Goa), Bishop Simião Fernandes (CLK–Goa), Fr Lino De Sa, Fr Bernado Cota, Fr Matthew Rebello, Fr Joe Rodrigues, Fr Romeo Monteiro, and Fr Seby Vaz.
The Konkani Missal in Roman Script (Romi Misa-Gronth) in Goa will be implemented for liturgical use from Ash Wednesday. Its introduction in homes and parishes will take place during the season of Advent and continue until the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. This will be carried out with the help of the booklet on the Order of the Mass for the use of the faithful, published by the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy.
Timeline of the Konkani Missal
- 2010–2013: Twelve regional Commission meetings
- February 2015: Presentation and approval at the CCBI Plenary
- July 1, 2015: Forwarded to the Dicastery for Divine Worship
- 2017: Comments received from the Dicastery
- 2017: Revised and re-submitted
- September 18, 2019: Confirmatio received from Rome
- September 30, 2025: Imprimatur granted by Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore
- September 30, 2025: Decree of Publication issued by Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, President of the CCBI
Two additional booklets were also released on the occasion:
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Misache Somarombhnnechi Manddavoll – Bhavatheanchea Upeoga Pasot (The Order of the Mass for the Use of the Faithful), released by Mathew De Souza, a member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy.
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Bhurgeank Mhoje-xim Yeunk Diyat (The Order of the Children’s Mass), released by Sr Alexia Braz FMCK, also a member of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy.
Both booklets were published by the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
Fr Afonso Mendonca, Convenor of the Commission for the Liturgy in Konkani–Goa and Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, expressed his gratitude to all who contributed to the revision and publication of the Konkani (Roman Script) Missal.
Konkani is a major national language in India, spoken mainly along the country’s west coast, especially in Goa, parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and among diaspora communities worldwide. It has a rich cultural heritage and a musical, lilting rhythm, well known through Goan hymns, folk songs, and everyday speech. Konkani is unique in that it is written in multiple scripts.
The release of the new Missal in Konkani (Roman Script) marks a historic moment for the Church in Goa, offering the faithful a renewed, unified, and carefully reviewed liturgical text that reflects years of dedication, scholarship, and pastoral commitment.
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