Thousands of faithful gathered at the historic Pilar hillock on November 20 to commemorate the 98th death anniversary of Venerable Agnelo de Souza, the saintly priest of the Society of Pilar. The day, revered as Venerable Agnelo’s Day, drew pilgrims from across Goa and beyond, united in prayer and devotion. Pilar is a village about 10 km from Panaji, the capital of the western Indian state of Goa.
The solemn Eucharistic celebration was presided over by Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay. Bishop Alex Dias, Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Port Blair; Fr Nazareth Fernandes, SFX, Superior General of the Society of Pilar; Fr Stevan D’Souza, Vicar General of the Society of Pilar; Fr Joaquim Rebelo, Provincial Superior of the Goa Province; Fr Hilary Fernandes, in-charge of the Vice-Postulation Office, Pilar; Fr Joseph Fernandes, SFX, Central Delegate Superior; and many other priests concelebrated the Mass.
Preaching on the theme “Ven. Agnelo Inspires Us to Be Pilgrims of Hope,” Bishop Dominic Savio Fernandes invited the faithful to radiate the holiness of Venerable Agnelo. Expressing joy at the commemoration of the saintly priest from Pilar, he said the Church rejoices because God had blessed Goa with “a priest of extraordinary holiness from its own soil.” He added that Venerable Agnelo continues to inspire through “a life that still speaks, quietly, powerfully, and beautifully.”
Highlighting the virtues of the Pilar priest, Bishop Fernandes said, “Venerable Agnelo lived a simple, humble, holy, and hope-filled life.” The celebration, he stressed, was an invitation to allow the venerable priest’s example to shape Christian life. “We do not only recall him with affection,” he said. “We take him as our model so that we too may live with the same steadfast hope that shaped his entire life.”
The Bishop emphasized that Venerable Agnelo lived his faith in close contact with the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. His faith, deeply centred on God, was purified through illness, misunderstanding, and hidden sacrifices. “He believed that patience, endurance, and suffering offered to God would bear fruit in holiness,” he noted.
Describing Venerable Agnelo’s hope as a profound theological virtue, he said: “Even in his fragile body, he had a hope that was strong. He offered every sacrifice to God with love, trusting that holiness is born in the quiet surrender of the heart.”
Referring to Venerable Agnelo’s devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and his ministry to the sick, Bishop Fernandes said the venerable priest taught that Christian hope “is not cold and passive but alive and active.” Quoting Jesus, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me,” the Bishop said, Venerable Agnelo lived these words fully. Jesus’ proclamation, “I am the way and the truth and the life,” he added, became the compass of Agnelo’s entire spiritual journey.
Despite his deep interior life, Venerable Agnelo remained close to the people. “His faith was not locked within himself; it was always a gift to others,” Bishop Fernandes remarked.
Calling him a “pilgrim of hope,” the Bishop said, “He walked with those who were suffering, lifted those who had fallen, became a helper to the helpless, and pointed countless hearts to Christ.”
In his final appeal, the Bishop urged the faithful: “As pilgrims of hope, let us give hope to others through prayer, through the strength we receive from Jesus, and through total dependence on God.” He ended with a prayer: “Venerable Agnelo, pray for us. Awaken our hope and lead us to Christ.”
Fr John Bennett, SFX, animated the liturgy, while Fr Hilary Fernandes served as commentator. Fr Elvis Fernandes, SFX, led the choir. At the end of the celebration, Fr Nazareth Fernandes, SFX, requested the faithful to pray fervently for the canonization of Venerable Agnelo, noting that the miracle sent to the Vatican is currently being studied by Vatican doctors. Fr Joseph Anthony Fernandes, SFX, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the successful organization of the feast.
Prizes for a poetry competition on the life of Venerable Agnelo were also distributed.
Thousands of faithful participated in the celebration, including Members of the State Legislative Assembly Adv. Carlos Ferreira and Viresh Borkar.
Throughout the day, Eucharistic celebrations were presided over by Fr. Rex Fernandes, SFX, Fr. Lyndon Rodrigues, SFX, Fr. Milton Rodrigues, SFX, Fr. George Nandiyala, SFX, Fr. Ligorino D’Costa, Fr. Alex Fernandes, SFX, and Fr. Norman Almeida, SFX.
The 98th anniversary observance once again highlighted the deep devotion of the faithful and the enduring spiritual legacy of Venerable Agnelo de Souza, who remains a beacon of humility, holiness, and pastoral dedication for the Church in Goa.
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