57

58
Managing Editor
Sr M Wilberta, BS
Chief Editor
Sr M Lillis, BS
MEMBERS
Rev Fr J oseph Martis
Mr Ivan Saldanha
Mr Edmund Frank
Sr Miriam, BS
Sr M Rose Margaret, BS
Sr M J essy Rita, BS
Sr M Virginia, BS
Sr Mary Naulak, BS
Sr M Gracy Bennis BS
Cont ent s
Edi t or i al Boar d
THE COMPASSI ONATE PASTOR
J ULY 2013
1. Editorial 3
2. SD Raymond FC Mascarenhas Seven
Secrets for a Successful Chirstian Living
- Bro J ason Pinto SDB 5
3. Detached - but There When Needed
- Sr Olinda Pereira 14
4. I n Quest of a Sanit- Servant of God -
Raymond FC Mascarenhas
- Mr J ames DSouza 20
5. Servant of God, Raymond FC Mascarenhas -
a Message and a Messenger of the Word
of God
- Sr Rose Margaret BS 22
6. Vision in Mission
- Sr Surekha BS 30
7. RFC Mascarenhas: A Prophet for our Times
- Sr Namritha BS 39
8. Bethanys Birth - in the Words of Mgr
Raymond FC Mascarenhas 48
9. Favours Received 52
2
INSPIRING SAYINGS OF
THE SERVANT OF GOD
RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS
Jesus in the Eucharist is a living prayer. So we
will transform our actions into prayer, if we are
united to Him.
Charity requires one to deny oneself, which
conquest must be made, thro the help of prayer.
Pray to the heart of Jesus to have a sincere
fraternal charity.
Let us cultivate tender devotion to Mary in order
to acquire purity and holiness of life.
Prayer made well with humility, simplicity and
love, will obtain pure love of God, as no other means
will obtain.
Bethany has been dear to Mother Mary, it is dear
to her, and it will be dear to her, and therefore she
has deigned to bless and prosper it, in spite of
exterior opposition and contempt.
3
MERCY PERSONI FI ED
J esus has this message for us: Mercy. I think- and I say it with humility- that
this is the Lords most powerful message: mercy.
- Pope Francis
Referring to the first Angelus message of Pope
Francis, Andrea Tornielli, the biographer of the Pope
writes: To a world that finds it so difficult to believe,
the new Pope wanted to shout the same proclamation
as two thousand years ago, that this mercy is not a sentiment but a person.
His very striking way of recalling Incarnation-was a maternal gesture: he held
his arms in front of him and moved as though, rocking a baby and said, Our
Lady held in her arms the Mercy of God made man.
1
Mercy and compassion were the hallmarks of the Servant of God,
Raymond Mascarenhas too. His ordination souvenir has a picture of J esus
breaking and giving the bread to a little boy. On it is the printed verse,
Blessed are the merciful Mgr Raymond who had a deeper insight into the
mystery of incarnation, the great revelation of Gods mercy, left no stone
unturned to exemplify in his day to day life the mercy of God. Sr Bartholomea,
a Bethany Sister who was entrusted with the development of the compound
at Rosa Mystica, Kinnikambla in Dhakshina Kannada, in the late thirties records:
I had to spend the night at the sugar-cane press, situated at some distance
from our Convent home. The Founder happened to halt for that night in his
cottage in the campus. When he came to know of my night-watch at the
said sugar cane press, immediately he sent his car to the spot with a message:
Let the Sister rest in the car during the night.
2
Such was his tender mercy.
The month of J uly brings home to us the memory of an outstanding act
of mercy of Mgr Raymond, namely, the founding of the indigenous
Congregation of Bethany in Mangalore with four ordinary lady teachers from
the parish of Bendur. His letter to Bishop Valerian on the purpose of starting
this venture unfolds his merciful heart. I was prompted to do it by the need
which I and, with me many parish priests of the diocese felt to have a supply
of permanent religious teachers for our elementary schools and incidentally,
the children of our parishes for which work no such provision existed in our
diocese; and for want of which we were greatly handicapped in our work for
religious education of the young in our parishes.
3
4
His merciful heart vibrated with the sufferings of the marginalized. This
message of mercy runs through all the articles in this issue of The
Compassionate Pastor.
Bro J ason Pinto unfolds seven secrets of Christian living from the life the
Servant of God. Having spotlighted his depth of spiritual life he exemplifies
the visible expression of his spirituality in his concern for the Church, the
marginalized and the weaker sex. Sr Olinda Pereira, the grandniece of Mgr
Raymond in her article Detached - but there When Needed shares the
mirth, fun and the lofty experiences of hers in the company of her kind-
hearted uncle. The article In Quest of a Saint by Mr J ames DSouza who
was an eyewitness to Mgr Raymonds struggles of life represents him as
CONFI DENCE personified. Sr Rose Margarets writing on Servant of God
Raymond Mascarenhas, a Message and a Messenger of the Word of God
exposes the mercy of the Servant of God displayed by bringing home to the
people the Word of God in numerous creative ways so that the people love
J esus and experience His love. The piece of writing of Sr Surekha on Vision in
Mission accentuates the visionary leadership of Mgr Raymond after the example
of J esus. She underscores originality and creativity as the special characteristics
of Mgr Raymond and Glory of God as the captivating goal of his life.
The article RFC Mascarenhas - A Prophet for our Times by Sr Namritha
expounds the prophetic characteristics of the life and mission of the Servant
of God especially his sufferings endured with great faith and serenity to build
a just society.
The extract from Mgr Raymonds report on Bethany written in the year
1925 to Bishop Paul Pereni SJ reveals his sense of accountability, integrity in
addition to his concern for the Mother Church.
As the centenary bells chime in great exultation at St Sebastian Church,
Bendur, Mangalore, wherein lie the mortal remains of the Servant of God Mgr
Raymond, the first parish priest, I recall to myself the first sermon preached
by him in 1914 standing on the barren land of Bendur, Will these dry bones
ever live?
4
Yes indeed. This is the power of mercy and compassion. In him
we have a model to translate the mercy of J esus in our day to day life.
Sr M Lillis BS
Editor
(Endnotes)
1
Andrea Tornielli, J orge Mario Bergoglio, FRANCI S Pope of a New World.
2
Bertha BS, From the Lips of the Founder, Mangalore, 1996, 305.
3
Report of Fr RFC Mascarenhas on Bethany to Rt Rev Valerian DSouza Bishop of Mangalore, 31
August 1928.
4
Violette DSouza BS, Unless the Seed Die, Mangalore, 2010, 22
5
SD RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS
SEVEN SECRETS
FOR A SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING
J ason Pinto, is a Salesian brother, who belongs
to the Panjim-Konkan Province of Bl J ose Vaz. At
present he is pursuing his Theology at J naana-Deepa
Vidyapeeth, Pune. His grandparents were the
parishioners of St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar,
where SD RFC Mascarenhas laboured as a parish priest.
He is a great admirer of Mgr Mascarenhas for his
pastoral zeal and love for the Church.
Bro J ason has successfully completed his BA from KSOU, Mysore, PG
Diploma in Konkani language from St Aloysius, Mangalore, and B Ph from
Divyadaan, Salesian Philsophate.
He recounts his faithfulness to Gods call as his greatest achievement
in life.
In this article Bro J ason enumerates the seven secrets (tips) of the
spirituality of SD Raymond FC Mascarenhas, and invites the readers to
emulate them in their lives.
Seven, a biblical number is captivating indeed. In the Bible we read
about the seven day account of creation, the seven years of famine and
seven years of prosperity in J osephs dream, the seven enemy tribes of
Israel and the seven deadly sins. Even Peter asked J esus if he should forgive
his offender seven times. Christian tradition speaks about the seven
sacraments, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven joys and seven
sorrows of Mary, the seven heavenly virtues, etc. In the secular world we
hear about the Seven Wonders of the World, the seven continents of the
world, the seven seas and seven oceans, the seven days of the week, etc.
Stephen Covey in his celebrated book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People presents us with seven attitudes which we need to cultivate in
order to bring about effectiveness in our life. Based on the same lines
I thought of presenting a few insights culled from the life of S D (Servus Dei
- Servant of God) Mgr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas in order to help
us live a successful and happy Christian life. He is truly a model for us to
J ason Pinto, SDB
6
imitate. These secrets, however, are not something like hidden mysteries
of his life which the world did not know. Rather these are tips for us to
admire and imitate as we live our Christian life as followers of our Lord J esus
Christ. These seven secrets are his union with God, love for J esus, openness
to the Spirit, tender devotion to Mary, concern for the Church, zeal for the
poor and the marginalized, and sensitivity to the weaker sex.
1. Union with God
Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas lived his life as a man in union with God.
Being deeply aware that his mission was Gods plan for him, he went about
unperturbed to fulfil it, with great hope and trust in God doing everything
to please Him. His life pleasing to God was a consequence of his deep
relationship with God.
This union with God was manifested in his trust in Divine Providence.
When one of the Sisters expressed her anxiety to him about a financial
problem which she encountered while paying a due, he simply 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.
1
A concrete
example of his trust in Divine Providence was in the many churches that he
built. Sr Violette DSouza, one of his biographers, beautifully encapsulates it
in her book: he had adapted and made his own the saying of his favourite St
Teresa of Avila, Raymond and a couple of rupees can do nothing, but
Raymond and a couple of rupees and God can do everything.
2
Such was his
trust in God and His providence. He did his best and left the rest in the
hands of God.
His whole life was a life lived in pleasing God. He recommended a
similar attitude to his Sisters as well. He said, 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?
3
On another occasion he said, In doing good never seek applause from the
world or approbation from superiors and companions, but do it solely and
exclusively for God.
4
He would always insist that even the smallest of things
done for the mission must be done for the love of God. He once told a
Sister who typed his letter, Even the first draft of the copy that you keep
for your personal file should be equally neat and as presentable as the final
1
Sr M Violette D Souza, Unless the Seed Die, 2010, pg 77.
2
DSouza, pg 25.
3
DSouza, pg 67.
4
DSouza, pg 67.
7
one, for it, too, is done for the love of God.
5
Thus Sr Grace Maria describes
him: Fr Raymond was an ordinary person, who lived in ordinary circumstances,
but his response to God made him an extra-ordinary person.
6
We too can imbibe this attitude of being attuned to God as we live
our daily lives. Modern day culture with its fleet of ideas on secularism, atheism
and media, has played a great deal to distort our union with God. Mgr
Raymond Mascarenhas, a simple and humble priest, who trusted in Divine
Providence and did everything to please God, shows us the way to restore
this union. Personal prayer, solitude, offering all our works to God can be
other means to be in union with God.
2. Love for J esus
His love for J esus was very much evident in his love for the Word of
God (J esus being the Divine Word Himself), his devotion to the Blessed
Sacrament the sacramental body of Christ, and his devotion to the Sacred
Heart of J esus.
His love for the Divine Word was shown in his translation of the
Gospels into Konkani, the language of his people, and also in preparing a
harmony of the Gospels and the life of Christ in simple Konkani verse form
suitable for children.
7
He preached diligently about J esus whom he loved
passionately from his heart. Even looking at the crucifix moved his heart
with great emotion.
He had great devotion to J esus in the Blessed Sacrament and he
instilled the same devotion in the Sisters as well. He was instrumental in
starting the perpetual adoration to the Blessed Sacrament in 1937.
8
He
unreluctantly advised his spiritual daughters to receive Holy Communion and
also our Lords great love for them.
9
He had tremendous devotion to the Sacred Heart of J esus and
would often sign his letters with words like, I leave you in the Heart of
J esus.
10
He recommended an act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of
J esus in all the houses of the Congregation on the major feast days of Our
Lady and on the anniversary of the Bethany foundation. He ardently preached
about the love and mercy of the Sacred Heart of J esus in his daily conversation,
5
DSouza, pg 81.
6
Sr Grace Maria BS, A Great Luminary Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, 2010, pg 5.
7
DSouza, pg 47.
8
Sr M Lillis BS, First Mangalorean Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas, 2010, pg 13.
9
DSouza, pg 69.
10
DSouza, pg 68.
8
his spiritual guidance, sermons, conferences, etc.
11
I ndeed, as Sr Violette
rightly puts it, all his priestly ministry to others was an overflow of his own
inner spirit of love and dedication to J esus Christ who had called him to work
in his vineyard.
12
J esus, the visible face of the invisible God (Col. 1: 15), continues to
fascinate us. His life and works reflect the very nature of God and his plan
for each one of us, offering himself as a model to live as good human beings.
Basing ourselves on Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas love for J esus, we too can
develop Christ-consciousness in ourselves. We can meet J esus in the Eucharist,
in the breaking of the Word and in the breaking of the Bread, in contemplating
on His Sacred Heart, through which God loved humankind with a human
heart (Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et spes # 22).
3. Openness to the Spirit
I n the 92 years since its establishment (19212013) the Bethany
Congregation boasts of 172 communities spread all over India and across
the globe with more than 1349 Sisters catering to people from all walks of
life. It was definitely a divine venture complemented by the openness of its
founder to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas
allowed himself to be led, guided and inspired by the Holy Spirit throughout
his life. The Holy Spirit stimulated the founder into action to meet the
needs of the Church.
13
The Spirit of the Lord was at work in him. The Spirit
enabled him to face all types of sufferings in the growth of the infant
Congregation. He himself once stated, I carried on the work of founding
Bethany in the face of warm appreciation and bitter criticism.
14
Appreciation
never elated him nor did criticism deter him from his goal. The Holy Spirit,
whom St Augustine would refer as the, quiet guest of our soul, makes us
receptive to God. In Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas we find a man moved by
the Spirit to serve those who were in need and those who were neglected.
Submissive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit he went about doing good.
We too are called to engage in a similar encounter with God, through
the Holy Spirit whom J esus proposed to us as our advocate. With the presence
of the Holy Spirit in us we discover who God is in our lives. We are able to
discern between what is good and what is evil, and what God expects from
us.
11
DSouza, pg 70.
12
DSouza, pg 68.
13
DSouza, pg 113.
14
DSouza, pg 37.
9
4. Tender Devotion to Mary
The very fact that he was born on a Saturday influenced his devotion
to Mary, the Holy Mother of God.
15
This devotion was inculcated in him
through his mother, J oanna, who played an important role in Raymonds
home-training. The evening family rosary was a daily feature in the Mascarenhas
household. I t is here that he developed a filial devotion to Mary. He
experienced her maternal presence throughout his life. He chose the feast
of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (16 J uly 1921) to initiate his work with just
four lady teachers who consecrated themselves to God. He entrusted them
to Mary saying, O Blessed Mother, protect these your children whom you
have given to me in all confidence, for the extension of your Sons Kingdom.
16
In all his letters, recommendations and spiritual advices there was always a
word on Mary. He would often remark in his later years, Bethany is the
garden of Our Lady, and I am only the gardener for the time being.
17
I n 1947, the Silver J ubilee of Bethanys foundation, he solemnly
consecrated the whole Congregation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and
expressed his desire that the Sisters renew this consecration every year on
the same date 16 J uly. He taught them to call on her as Queen Mother of
Bethany and adopt as their motto Ecce Ancilla Domini (Behold the Handmaid
of the Lord) from the life of Mary.
18
He strongly believed in the dictum To
J esus, through Mary and would frequently remind his spiritual daughters to
have devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary because the more you have it,
the closer you will get to our Lord. It is impossible to have devotion to her
without loving our Lord more. On another occasion he said, When we feel
weary of lifes problems let us pick up the rosary and pray it meditatively.
19
He made sure that all the Marian feasts were celebrated with fitting honour.
He translated two little booklets entitled A few minutes with Mary on Saturdays
and The Imitation of Mary from English to Konkani for the common folk.
20
One of his spiritual advice given to the Sisters was, Ask our Blessed Mother
to teach you to love him (J esus) as she loved him, for no human being could
have loved J esus as much as she did.
21
Even in his last will and testament
we find the words: All for J esus, through Mary, in the very title itself. Apart
from this he had personal devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, Our Lady of
15
DSouza, pg 1.
16
DSouza, pg 33.
17
DSouza, pg 34.
18
Lillis, pg 12.
19
DSouza, pg 71.
20
DSouza, pg 72.
21
DSouza, pg 79.
10
Dolours and Our Lady of Fatima.
22
The love that his mother instilled in him
towards our Heavenly Mother brought to fruition so many marvellous works
in the life and growth of the Bethany Congregation.
Thus he poses before us Mary, model of faith, the lowly handmaid of the
Lord, through whom the Almighty worked marvels (Lk 1: 49). Imitating Mgr
Raymond Mascarenhas in his tender devotion to Mary can be a wonderful
example for us to be Gods lowly instruments, who exalts the humble
(Lk 1: 52).
5. Concern for the Church
His concern for the Church could be seen in the way he exercised his
ministerial priesthood as a compassionate pastor, starting and organizing groups
and associations as a charismatic leader and finally sowing the seeds of a
religious vocation, promoting vocations for the Church as an exemplary
vocation promoter. Right from his childhood, young Raymond had a great
inclination to be a priest. And so, it was not surprising that he enjoyed
erecting little altars and imitating the priest at Mass, playing Mass-Mass. He
took great pride in being called a priest - Padri in his colloquial lingo.
23
He
took his seminary formation seriously and allowed himself to be guided by
God and moulded by his Superiors.
24
In the words of Sr Violette In his unflagging zeal he preached retreats,
furnished the people with abundant opportunities of receiving the Sacraments
of Penance and Eucharist, arranged for classes in religious instruction and
provided facilities for the education of children. Above all, he was their good
shepherd, a priest who by his word and example taught them to pray and
led them to God and His Blessed Mother.
25
Thus he made good use of his
ministerial priesthood to serve the Church, by administering the Sacraments
and reaching out to people. Hence the title Compassionate Pastor is
apt for him.
He was also a charismatic leader. Right from his seminary days people
took notice of his leadership qualities. He was an exemplary seminarian and
hence was appointed prefect in his seminary.
26
The numerous groups that
he founded, be it the Altar Servers Sodality, sodalities for men, women,
boys, girls and the St Vincent de Paul Society, are a manifestation of his
concern for the Church, a spectrum in which all the faithful were included.
22
Lillis, pg 13.
23
Maria, pg 8.
24
Lillis, pg 7.
25
DSouza, pg 18.
26
Maria, pg 16.
11
One of the main tasks of the Church is to impart education and Mgr Raymond
Mascarenhas did this by starting schools for boys as well as girls. Last but not
the least was the founding of the Bethany Congregation with a band of
dynamic and dedicated Sisters to serve the Lord among the poor and
marginalized.
27
As the director of the Mangalore Roman Catholic Pioneer
Fund, as member of the District Educational Council of South Kanara, as
Vicar General of the Mangalore diocese, as President of the Catholic
Association of South Kanara, as Vice President of the Catholic Board of
Education, as President of the Mangalore Roman Catholic Provident Fund he
showed his charismatic leadership to serve the people.
28
By his own life witness Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas sowed seeds of a
religious vocation and provided labourers to work in the vineyard of the
Lord. As someone rightly said, he was like the leaven in the bread or hidden
catalyst; whose presence inspired many persons to devote their lives to the
Lord.
29
During his time in the Bendur parish, there were two to three
priests ordained every year to serve the Lord, both in and outside the
Mangalore diocese.
30
His very presence was an appeal to join the religious
life. Through his life, works and words he was able to capture young hearts
to this way of life. Bishop Basil Peres jokingly called him the bishop maker
after three of his vocation boys were ordained bishops. Such was the charm
of this exemplary vocation promoter.
31
Apart from these young boys, he
recruited a number of young girls to collaborate with him in his mission to
work for girls, through the establishment of the Bethany Congregation.
He was intuitive to the concerns of the Church and responded to
them in a very concrete manner. Thus he not only built and renovated
churches, but also the Church the people of God. We too are called to
serve the Church with our talents, strengths and resources. Here is a beautiful
example before us to follow.
6. Zeal for the Poor and the Marginalized
Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas mission in life was very much evident in his
zeal for the poor and the marginalized. He himself lived a poor life and thus
identified himself with them. It is said: his room was as barren of comforts as
was his empty purse.
32
The poor and the neglected were his first priority.
His heart ached for this sector of his parish. He would say, Poverty is the
27
DSouza, pg 22.
28
Lillis, pg 10.
29
DSouza, pg 23.
30
DSouza, pg 24.
31
DSouza, pg 24.
32
DSouza, pg 1.
12
first class ticket to the heart of our Lord which always went out to the poor
and the humble.
33
The founding of the Bethany Congregation was an
outcome of his love for the poor and the marginalized. The Sisters immersed
themselves in opening schools, boarding houses and orphanages; caring for
parish churches; giving religious instruction to children and adults;
evangelization; building homes for the elderly; establishing health clinics; and
engaging in agricultural pursuits concretized his zeal to work for the poor
and the marginalized. He put his heart and soul in each and every task that
he undertook; accepting the everyday events, knowing well that Divine
Providence would never fail him.
34
However, his service to the poor was not
a mere doling out of things. He made sure that they were able to stand on
their own feet. For those who were not able to study in a formal school, he
introduced vocational training, agricultural training and catering. He provided
rural children with boarding facilities so as to avail them of a shelter while
they did their schooling in the city. Such was his foresight and predilection
for the poor and the marginalized.
35
Serving the poor is one of the hallmarks of Christian charity which we
are all called to render. Once again he stands out as an example for us to
imitate.
7. Sensitivity to the Weaker Sex
Last, but definitely not the least striking feature which comes across in
the life of Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas was his Gender Sensitivity. In todays
context when newspapers and news channels are flooded with rape cases,
molestation charges, dowry deaths, female infanticide and feticide and the
like, highlighting the number of inhuman atrocities inflicted on women, Mgr
Raymond Mascarenhas has much to offer. He learnt the first lesson in self-
discipline, self-control and self-denial in his life through a woman his beloved
mother.
36
His groups had men as well as women, schools for both boys and
girls, sodalities for men as well as women. The very aim of founding a religious
Congregation was to foster religious vocations for the many young girls who
wished to serve God. He began his apostolic work with four lady teachers
who generously offered him their time, service and talents to serve the
poor.
37
He would often remark, Bethany has provided the grace of religious
life for scores of our girls, who for want of sufficient higher education or
33
DSouza, pg 74.
34
DSouza, pg 60.
35
Maria, pg 25.
36
DSouza, pg 12.
37
DSouza, pg 29.
13
BI BLI OGRAPHY
DSouza, Violette BS, Unless the Seed Die, Bethany Publications, Mangalore,
2010.
Lillis, M BS, First Mangalorean Servant of God Raymond FC Mascarenhas,
Prasad Printers, Mangalore, 2010.
Maria, Grace BS, A Great Luminary Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, Intech
Printers & Publishers, Karnal, 2010.
substantial dowries could not find admission into the older Congregations of
the diocese.
38
He even went to the extent of forgoing his post as the Vicar
General of the diocese in order to be the director of Bethany,
39
a choice
which he never regretted. He had already envisioned his active and spiritual
presence to lead this infant Congregation to greater heights.
40
And the
presence of a dynamic visionary priest like Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas in the
midst of them was just inevitable.
Truly Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas was a vibrant and a charismatic priest.
But this vibrancy and charism was a result of his deep intimacy with the
Triune God, Mary: the Mother of God, love for the Church the Mystical
body of Christ, his love for his neighbour shown in his concern for the
marginalized and the weaker sex. His life is a model for us to imitate, even as
lay Christians. I am convinced that this holy priest was a living saint who
allowed God to work through him. Walking along these steps treaded by
him will surely help us to live as better Christians and come closer to God and
our neighbour in need.
38
DSouza, pg 42.
39
DSouza, pg 87.
40
Lillis, pg 10.
14
Sr Olinda Pereira was born on 15 August 1925.
She has her Ph D from Mysore University, MA from
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, BA from St Agnes
College, and BT from St Anns College of Education,
Mangalore. She is the grand nicec of the Servant of
God Mgr Raymond Masacarenhas.
Sr Olinda has rendered her services at Internee
at Institute of Womens Studies Manila, Philippines-
1996, She was Administrative assistant, Provincial house Nairobi, Kenya
(1991-1994), Director of the I nstitute of Social Service Prabhatara,
New Delhi (1985-1990, 1997-1998), exchange professor School of Social
work, McMaster university, Hamilton Canada (1978, 1979, 984), Principal
of college of Social work Roshni Nilaya (1961-1984), and member of
National committee of women in 1979.
She is the author of books, Understanding Children 1,2,3,
Adjustment and its correlates among preadolescents, Domestic workers
struggle for life. Sr Olinda has been awarded with Mahatma Gandhi
Peace award by McMaster University, Hamilton, Women achiever award,
Sandesha, award for Social Service, Rachana, woman of the year by
Mangalore Catholic chamber of Commerce, woman of the year award
Mangalore University, Veera Rani Abbakka award for work in the field of
social service.
At present she spends her time in caring for the elderly, offers
direction to the Day care centres for senior citizens. This is an interview
with her by Sr Mary Naulak BS.
DETACHED - BUT THERE WHEN NEEDED
Sr Olinda Pereira
Sr Olinda how old were you when you first met your uncle, Mgr RFC
Mascarenhas?
I remember he came for my first communion. He gave me a rosary. May
be I was six.
Your impression about him as a child. Were you scared or comfortable
with him?
I was comfortable because he had very kind eyes; and he resembled my
15
grandfather, his older brother so much. And we were very fond of grandpa;
so we transferred that affection to him. For us he was our grandpas brother,
you see.
But, actually, as a child, except for that first communion day, I dont
have much recollection of him. Then there was the twin J ubilee or something
that was celebrated in the Catholic Club. I remember the speech that he
made a very remarkable one. One thing he said was, No man is a hero to his
own valet, and least of all to himself. It is like `I know my shortcomings; and
I know I am not deserving all this. That made an impression on me. Of
course, by that time I was grown up, so I could understand what he was
saying.
We know much more about your grandfather, Dr Simon Mascarenhas
than any other siblings of RFC. Would you say he was closer to your
grandpa than any one of them?
Because when the eldest brother died, grandpas house became like
family house for them. The ancestral house was the one at Sturruck road; at
what point of time it went to the other brother, I dont know. Later, there
was one Basil Mascarenhas who lived there. He was their cousin. So, for all of
them- my granduncle and his sisters, grandpas house became family house.
I t was the house where they would meet; from that point of view, they
were quite close.
Some say that he had a quick temper; did you notice any such personal
weaknesses in him?
I do not know much about that aspect because in those days we did
not have so much contact with him. And then he was in the Bishops House
as Vicar General. He would come home once in a way for celebrations and
occasions. I had more interaction with him after he retired to Bethany and
lived in that little house. By that time I was able to appreciate him also,
especially with the starting of the CYM (Catholic Youth Movement). He took
a lot of interest in it. Fr Agneleto was our director. He too had great regards
for him and consulted him a lot. He even composed an anthem for the ICYM.
I used to go to him for something or the other. And he was kind of retired, so
he would come over to grandparents house. And for us it was a big occasion
when the whole family met. Even when somebody was ill, when the other
granduncle was ill or my grandpa was ill and dying, he came. But defects in his
temperaments, even if there were, they were not visible to us.
16
What have you to say about his relationship with the youth?
He could relate to people of all ages. And he was always joking with us.
In this connection I remember something. My mother always insisted that we
go and meet him and take his blessings before we went anywhere. When I
had been to Rome for the Second World Congress on Lay Apostolate, and
even when I returned, my mother reminded me to go and meet granduncle.
When I went to him he said, I wonder what your great grandmother would
say about all this roaming around.
He might have said that with a secret sense of pride in you.
Yes, I think he was proud of me.
So, you would say he had a supportive attitude towards the youth?
Yes. He was very encouraging.
Do you have any idea about his relationship with his parents especially
with his mother? Did he speak about her often?
Yes, they used to speak about their parents at home. But more than
that, I do not know because they had died by then. But very often they
referred to his mother. Even my mother used to speak fondly of her (RFCs
mother- J oanna).
Did he encourage Religious Vocation in the family?
Yes, he encouraged us in words to join religious life. But he never pointed
out where to go. Wherever God calls you, there you go. That was his mind.
My aunt and sister went to Apostolic Carmel. And yes, one cousin joined
Bethany. And then, there were my two uncle priests. One thing was very
sure - that he had a genuine love for the poor. Even my grandfather (Dr
Simon Mascarenhas) was fond of the poor.
He did not invite you to Bethany then?
Never invited. But if we did join, I am sure he would have been happy.
Was he speaking about Bethany at home?
Not with us; but may be with elders, especially my aunt Billy (J uliana
Mascarenhas) who was an Inspectress of schools. At one place she discovered
that Bethany Sisters were being harassed. So she wrote a confidential letter
to the higher-ups about it. And she was so conscientious that she did not
even get this thing done in the office. She made my sister to type it out.
17
How often were his visits to the family?
I cannot say he came often; but when we needed him he was there,
like in times of sickness. And if he had problems, he did not reveal much; but
would talk with grownups especially my aunt Billy who was also very scrupulous
about keeping confidences. We youngsters did not share in that confidence,
so we would not know. But my aunt was a big support to him. She played a
very good role. She was also a great support to the Sisters. She was a very
upright person. He was very close to her.
Some say Mgr Raymond was a reserved man while others say he was
jovial. What do you say about this aspect of his personality?
Thats the thing. You can see both sides of him. He was reserved about
himself. It was always a big occasion when he came to the house. And we
would see the warm side of him. For instance, Christmas lunch at my
grandparents house; he would be there and we all would be invited. There
was a lot of fun. He would tease us and make fun of us. Grandpa was also full
of fun. So between the two brothers, everyone enjoyed. Those were the
occasions when we really enjoyed ourselves.
Another way he showed his great humanness was when anyone was ill;
for example when my grandpa was ill. He came and administered the
Sacraments. He did the same when my grandpas other brother was sick. To
us he would not talk about his difficulties. But it was more to aunt Billy,
grandpa and grandma, his sister-in-law, whom he liked very much.
Of his many qualities, which one would you pick as outstanding ?
Personally, I feel he was a very detached person, I must say, from the
family. He was detached; but he was there when anyone needed him, especially
in times of sickness and death. During all such times he was there and would
most certainly take part. I remember how he came when grandpa was ill.
What courage we felt when he walked in! So calm! His presence itself was so
supportive. At the same time, during meals and other times he joked and
teased - very human from that point of view.
You and other members of the family spoke of his detachment. Do
you have any anecdote or incident to substantiate it?
Well, what we noticed was that, he did not show undue concern for
us. But if we approached him he would show interest, guide us and give his
opinion. And, a detached person in a sense he was not doing things for
himself. Even Bethany, it was his dream child, and he would want to see it
flourish. That was a normal thing.
18
Was he consulted on family matters?
Yes, sometimes. For instance, in those days arranged marriages were
the norm. When some a marriage proposal was coming through they would
place it before him and ask what he thought about it. They would take him
into confidence for all family affairs - grandpas family and even his two sisters
families. He had a lot of wisdom.
He was known to be a great homilist. Do you remember any homily
of his?
He was really marvelous. But I can only remember the one at the twin
jubilee, in that big hall with grand speeches. I am not sure whether he preached
at my sisters wedding; but I certainly remember he blessed the nuptials.
Somewhere you have mentioned that you saw him sitting on a stone
with his head in his hand.
Yea, that was when Bendur Church was being built. I think he was the
parish priest there. We were returning from school (St Agnes School) one
day and there he was, sitting on a stone, his head in his hand. My second
sister- Cedrics mother saw him. She was quite sharp among us. She came
home and told my mother, Aba (grandpa) was sitting there on a stone like
that (demonstrates). Then my mother told us that he had lots of problems,
thats why he was sitting like that, and that we must pray for him. So, that
also went into our heads - that he had troubles.
That might have made you feel sympathy for him.
Yes, yes, we felt sympathy. Actually that incident I remember well.
You saw him too?
Yes. It was my sister who saw him first. Then she poked me saying,
See, see, Aba (grandpa) is sitting there.
Did you go and speak to him?
May be we went, I do not remember well. But even if we went he
would not keep us long to talk with him. He would just say, Oh you have
come, God bless you, or something like that.
Do you remember any advice of his that stood you in good stead?
When I was in ICYM, I used to take his advice now and then for something
or the other. But I feel, more than his advice, it is his example. Although I felt
bad about his publishing those booklets, I also feel it was a great act of
humility on his part to withdraw them when asked to. To go round at that
age and get back the books from the people! That shows his humility. If he
19
was stubborn he would have said, No, I would not. But he did what was
asked by the authorities. He did a lot of good, and some mistakes, may be
even big mistakes. But bigger the mistakes, the more is the humility needed
to correct them.
Having said all this, what do you think is his greatest contribution to
the Mangalore Church?
As a pastor he had served in several parishes. I feel what is important is
not the fact that he had put up church buildings, but the fact that he had
won the hearts of the people. So, I feel the pastoral dimension he had given
to the priesthood in Mangalore, is his greatest contribution. Wherever he had
worked, people remember him. The old people really talk so highly of him. He
was really a spiritual man. Mistakes and shortcomings, who does not have
them?
Anything else you would like to tell about him?
About his simplicity. His lifestyle was quite simple. He would not want
much attention for himself. He could manage with a little, even though I am
sure sisters would have been more than ready to do anything for him.
THE COMPASSIONATE PASTOR
Published twice a year in J uly and December. No subscription. Donations
will be gratefully accepted to meet the expenses of printing, mailing
and the process of Canonization. Donations and offerings may be sent
to the address given below. Cheques/drafts may be made in favour of:
Cause of Msgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas. We invite you to share
your experiences for possible inclusion in this bulletin.
The Vice-Postulator
Cause of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas
Bethany Convent, Kankanady Post
Mangalore - 575 002
Karnataka, India
Managing Editor
20
Gaudium Meum et Corona Mea.
A dream does not become reality through magic. I t takes sweat,
determination and hard work. So said General (Retd) Colin Powell of the
United States of America. Well, the dream has long become reality. Bethany,
his Crowning Glory is 92 today. Ad Multos Annos!.
Standing firm for what he believed in, regardless of the odds against
him and the pressures that tore into him that was COURAGE and Mgr RFC
the author, and, the reward in his own words My J oy and My Crown. Isnt
it, then, the time to sing :
O Lord my God when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made
So, sings my soul
My Saviour, God to thee
How great Thou art
HOW GREAT THOU ART.
Holding his head high and being the best and knowing it, when life
seemed to fall apart at his feet, facing each difficulty with the conviction
that it would be a better Dawn on the morrow and never giving up. That
was Mgr RFC CONFIDENCE personified.
Mr J ames DSouza, Bethanys next door
neighbour in Bendur, is currently spends his retirement
in Bangalore. He is a great admirer of Mgr Raymonds
life of holiness. Though he is now 85, he continues
with his writing on various facets of the life of Mgr
Raymond whom he holds in high esteem.
In the article, In Quest of a Saint Mr J ames
records, The Faith, Humility, Courage, Confidence,
Strength and Compassion of Mgr Raymond which led Bethany Congregation
to complete 92 years of its glorious existence. His only wish and prayer is
that Bethany grows year after year walking in the footsteps of their
Founder, the saint in the making.
IN QUEST OF A SAINT
SERVANT OF GOD RAYMOND
FC MASCARENHAS
Mr J ames DSouza
21
Keeping a smile on his face, when inside he felt like dying for example
when he was facing acute financial crunch and being told that his bank
account was showing a nil balance that was his STRENGTH.
As a good Pastor, stopping at nothing if only to make anothers life
little more bearable and comfortable, his COMPASSION for the poor around
him, especially those among his parishioners, his SELFLESSNESS in giving
more than he had, expecting nothing in return was second nature to him.
The famous evangelist and preacher Martin Luther King J r, had this to
say :
Faith is taking the first step
Even when you
Dont see
The whole staircase.
It was with his undying FAITH and unquestionable self-confidence that
he took the first step of founding his Religious Congregation on 16 J uly
1921 and then suddenly to discover no staircase after that first step! At
that trying moment, was he a little scared and anxious, if only for the safety
and well-being of the four young ladies, the nucleus of his Magnum Opus,
that led him, with all HUMILITY to Our Lady, prostrate before her and pray
Do what you wilt with me but dont abandon these children who have
come trusting in you and me and Bethany.
A mighty big complement from a very important person a person of
substance was the main inspiration for me to write this piece to coincide
with the importance of the day. I quote, You have understood our Founders
intention and his deepest desire, unquote. I deserve nothing and I seek
nothing. As I have repeatedly expressed, both by word and in my writings
how fortunate, proud and blessed I am to have been acquainted with and
so very closely interacted with such a great person, who, given similar
circumstances at that time, had no parallel. I praise and thank God for the
gift of life itself that, at age 84, enables me to explain and present the
virtues, intentions and deepest desires of their Founder to the scores of
young and not-so-young Bethanyites who have not seen or known him. As
Bethany completes 92 years of its glorious existence, may the staircase on
which he took his first step grow longer and longer, with more steps added,
till the end of time. May God bless you all.
22
SERVANT OF GOD, RAYMOND FC
MASCARENHAS
A MESSAGE AND A MESSENGER
OF THE WORD OF GOD
I ntroduction:
Anyone who loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him,
and we shall come to him and make a home in him (J n 14:23). The Servant
of God Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, a mystic and a prophet, loved the
Word and was totally at home with the Word. I n his priestly ministry, he
devoted a central place for preaching the Word with fervour and passion.
As a result, each day he was fashioned and reinforced by the active, creative,
dynamic and illuminating power of the Divine Word. By his word and example
he became the voice of God, a message and the good news to his
parishioners, to the Bethany Sisters - his spiritual daughters, and to all those
who came to listen to him from far and near. His life-giving words, his other-
centred preferences and his broad outlook became ever more a manifestation,
a proclamation and a witness to the Gospel. He was a man of God both in
precept and example.
Mystery of I ncarnation- Mgr Raymonds Fascination!
I n the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the
Word was God (J ohn 1:1). St J ohn describes J esus as Gods life-giving and
light-giving Word that came to the earth in human form. This Mystery of
Incarnation of the Word was very dear to Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas heart.
Sr Rose Margaret is a Bethany Sister, who has
worked extensively in different parts of India, in the
field of education, social work, pastoral work and
administration. As she worked for the Cause of SD
Raymond FC Mascarenhas for a length of time she
developed high esteem and a deep appreciation for
his life of holiness. This enthused her to unearth the
various aspects of Mgr Raymonds spirituality.
In this article she writes, Mgr Raymond was a true minister of God
who performed his sacred duty of preaching the Gospel with zeal and
zest to all who were hungry for the Word of God. He seized every
opportunity to be the message and the messenger of the Gospel.
Sr Rose Margaret
23
With the Holy Bible in his hand, kneeling for a length of time before the
Blessed Sacrament, Mgr Raymond, marvelled at the Incarnation of the Son
of God, meditated on it day and night with tears in his eyes and welcomed
the Word as Mary did. He endeavoured to fathom how a great and mighty
God could give up His divinity to become like us in human form. His encounter
with the Divine shaped his life and he became a dynamic force.
He lived the mystery of I ncarnation to the core with faith, courage
and conviction. He took the Word of God to the homes of ordinary Christians.
I t was the Word of God that enabled him to be in touch with God in
prayer and in touch with the world in compassion and love, to be available
to all, at all times and all through his life, with energy and enthusiasm, passion
and fire.
Proclamation of the Word - Mgr Raymonds Passion!
Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Gospel to all creation (Mk.
16, 15). Mgr Raymond followed the command of the Lord, in word and spirit
and proclaimed the Gospel to all especially to the flock entrusted to his care.
People came from distant parishes to hear him especially during the Lenten
and Holy Week Services. Let the words I enjoin on you today stay in your
heart. You shall tell them to your children and keep on telling them, when
you are sitting at home, when you are out and about, when you are lying
down and when you are standing up Deut 6: 6-7).
Mgr Raymond seized every opportunity to be the message and the
messenger of the Gospel and preached the Word in his homilies, retreats
and exhortations, Catechetical instructions and interactions, writings and
translations, paintings and in all his undertakings.
The Code of Canon Law, Book I I I , THE TEACHI NG OFFI CE OF THE
CHURCH, On Preaching the Word of God, in Canon 762 states, The People
of God are first united through the Word of the living God, and are fully
entitled to seek this Word from their priests. For this reason sacred ministers
are to consider the office of preaching as of great importance, since
proclaiming the Gospel of God to all is among their principal duties.
1
As a
minister of Gods Word, Mgr Raymond, each day read the Word, reflected
on the Word, practised it in his daily life and preached the Word as a perfect
follower of Christ. Though he was a priest of the pre-Vatican era, Mgr Raymond
1
The Code of Canon Law, Book III, The Ministry of the Divine Word, 1983, 141
24
was fully conscious of his priestly ministry, and all that entailed in proclaiming
Christ, to the people of his time.
Vatican II, Decree on THE MINISTRY AND LIFE OF PRIESTS states, In
the measure in which they participate in the office of the Apostles, God
gives priests a special grace to be ministers of Christ among the people.
They perform the sacred duty of preaching the Gospel, so that the offering
of the people can be made acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
2
He was a fervent priest after the heart of Christ and a powerful preacher
who had command over the Scripture. In his preaching, people experienced
him as one sent by God to deliver the Word of God to all the people of good
will. He preached with zeal and zest to all who were hungry for the Word of
God and ignited their hearts and minds. History repeats itself. Even today,
the priests, Sisters and lay people reverently recall, quote and cherish his
homilies preached on most significant occasions.
The write-up of the following Priests, Religious and Laity of his
time indicates that Mgr Raymond was in great demand as a preacher
throughout the diocese and beyond.
* Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda on 24 August 1976, in My Reminiscences
writes, I still recall some of the sermons and Catechetical lessons of my
infant days. Mgr Mascarenhas was just about 44 years of age then.
3
* Mgr M FC Castelino, in his speech at the closing of the Birth Centenary
of Rt Rev Mgr RFC Mascarenhas, Founder of Bethany, on 23.01.1975 said,
Fr Mascarenhas was a renowned preacher. People from other parishes used
to come to Bendur to hear his sermons, especially on Good Friday. On major
occasions, it was Fr Mascarenhas who was chosen to preach. He used to
take a text from the Scripture and base the whole sermon on it.
4
* The words of Mr S R Nazareth affirm Sacerdos Statement: As a
preacher he is unrivalled. His fluency of speech is a speciality! As such, he
was in great demand not only all over the diocese, but even outside it.
Among his many discourses, his fitting sermon at the Eucharistic Congress
preached at the open-air function to single out.
5
2
Vat II, Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, chapter I, The Priesthood in the Ministry of the
Church, 441.
3
Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda, My Reminiscences, 24.8.1976.
4
Mgr M FC Castelino, Speech at the Closing of the Birth Centenary of Rt Rev Mgr RFC Mascarenhas
Founder of Bethany, 23.01.1975.
5
S R Nazareth, My Regard for Father Mascarenhas, 30.11.1949.
25
* Rev Fr J ohn G Pinto: As a preacher he has few equals. Besides the
various retreats he preached to the religious, priests and people, his sermons
unsurpassed in originality of thought and attracted huge gatherings in Bendur
when he was the parish priest. The inaugural sermon in Bom J esu Church of
Goa for the All-India Catholic Conference brought him into the limelight.
A few out of many testimonies mentioned above illustrate Mgr
Raymonds obsessive love for the Word of God and his animated sermons on
the Gospel. We have every reason to be proud of this great personality who
brought spiritual vibrancy in the life of many with his single-minded devotion
to God and His Word. His untiring zeal for the Word should enthuse us- the
followers of Christ and set us in motion towards bringing Christ to our
shattered world during the Year of Faith.
Let the words I enjoin on you today stay in your heart. You shall tell
them to your children, and keep on telling them, when you are sitting at
home, when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when
you are standing up (Deut 6: 6-7).
Having fervently loved and deliberately lived by the Word of God, at all
times, Mgr Raymonds foremost concern was to save souls and promote the
spiritual welfare of the religious as well as the laity. As an illustrious preacher
and a Spiritual Guide, he directed many retreats to the priests, the religious
and the lay people. His preaching was down to earth simple, realistic and
creative.
Mr LC Pais, one of the friends of the Founder recalls: Years ago when
I was a student in the College, Fr Mascarenhas preached a retreat at the
Bejai Church. Probably such a retreat was never preached in that Church. I
attended every one of his sermons and meditations.
7
He was ever willing to
walk that extra mile with them if the Word that he preached could bring
about a transformation in their lives.
From the very inception of Bethany-the Congregation which he founded-
he nurtured it with utmost care and love. He provided spiritual nourishment
to the members for their all round growth and development through
exhortations, spiritual conferences and retreats.
His only aid in giving the conferences was a Missal or Bible. Sr Bertha,
who was closely associated with the Founder for nearly 30 years as a religious,
6
Bertha, BS, Mgr Raymond A Mystic and A Prophet, 2007, 55.
7
Ibid, 56
26
in her introduction to the book, Mgr Raymond- A Mystic and a Prophet,
writes, In my book, From the Lips of the Founder, I had written down the
Founders words. They were his insights and reflections from Holy Scripture
and as such were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
8
Sr Poma once asked Father for a good spiritual reading book from his
personal library. Father looked high and low in his book-shelf and in a few
minutes came out with a copy of the New Testament. Whereupon the
sister told him, I have read this book many times. What! He said, Many
times? These are the words of Eternal Wisdom! You will stand to gain,
when you read and re-read them prayerfully.
9
Saying this he generated in
her reverence and taste for the Word of God.
Through his personal letters to individuals he preached the Word directly
into their hearts. His letters were full of spiritual thoughts with appropriate
quotations from the Bible. He enabled them to lift their hearts and minds to
God in their joys and sorrows, problems and misunderstandings. He had a
tremendous capacity, an astute mind and a large heart to communicate
Gods love through his letters.
Mgr Raymond who was known as a powerful preacher was also a
comprehensible writer. After his retirement when he could not get actively
involved in serving the Church and the society, he used his pen to spread
the good news of Christ and cater to the spiritual and secular needs of the
people. He wrote books on the life of Christ in simple Konkani verse, suitable
for children.
10
As a Pastor his main concern was that people participate
effectively in liturgical services. He translated the daily Missal and the New
Testament to Konkani to enable the faithful to participate in the liturgy in a
more personal and meaningful way.
His writings and translations were greatly appreciated by the Vatican.
J B Montini Pro. Secretary of State to Pope Pius XII, Rome Chief Drafter of
Documents on 3 May 1950, writes, I have the honour to acknowledge
receipt, on behalf of the Holy Father, of the copies of your translations of
the Gospels and the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin, which the Sacred
Congregation of Propaganda presented to Him on your behalf. His Holiness
deeply appreciates the sentiments of loyal filial devotion to the Vicar of
Christ, which prompted you to place at his disposal these copies of your
8
Bertha, BS, Mgr Raymond A Mystic and A Prophet, 2007, Introduction, ix.
9
Bertha, BS, From the Lips of the Founder, 1996, 300.
10
Bertha, BS, Mgr Raymond A Mystic and A Prophet, 57.
27
translations, and he would have me express to you his heart felt gratitude.
It is the Pontiffs earnest prayer that Almighty God may reward your zealous
labours by blessing your work with a rich spiritual harvest, and, in pledge of
that celestial recompense, he lovingly imparts to you his paternal Apostolic
Benediction.
11
Have the book of this Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may carefully keep everything that is written in it, then
your undertakings will prosper (J oshua 1:8, 9). These words from J oshua
are apt in the life of Mgr Raymond. The churches, convents, schools, and
orphanages - he built everything on the Word of God. I n 1914 when he
came to Bendur as the first parish priest, looking at the dry, barren land, he
referred to Ezekiel and said, Will these dry bones ever live (Cf Ezk: 37:3)?
Today St Sebastian Parish, Bendur, is one of the prominent parishes in the
diocese Mangalore. Under the prominent leadership of the clergy, the religious
and the laity, it has gloriously stepped into the Centenary year (1914-2014).
On this memorable event we offer our salutation and respect to the Servant
of God Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas, the founder parish priest.
On the tabernacle of the Bethany Motherhouse chapel he inscribed
these words: Behold! How He loved. He named the first house of the
Congregation Bethany so that the spirit governed the lives of the inmates-
Martha, Mary and Lazarus of Bethany of the Gospel fame, and motivated,
the Sisters to live a life of love and service.
His inner spiritual urge and tremendous love for the Gospel prompted
him to paint the charism and spirit of the Congregation on the walls of the
Bethany chapel with lovely scenes and quotes from the Bible - that of Martha,
Mary, and Lazarus of Bethany.
11
J B Montini, Pro Secretary of State to Pope Pius XII, Rome Chief Drafter of Documents
28
He vividly expressed in the pictures he got painted on the walls of the
Bethany Motherhouse chapel, fitting quotations from the New Testament,
thereby justifying his love for the Word of God.
Her many sins are forgiven for she has loved much.
It is heartening to note that the Congregation of the Sisters of the
Little Flower of Bethany, founded by the Servant of God, Mgr Raymond FC
Mascarenhas, has resplendently entered the Centenary Decade (1921-2021)
with the theme: Open Wide the Door, Let Him Enter Now. The reason for
expansion, growth and progress in all his endeavours and establishments
was the deep faith, the Founder Mgr Raymond FC Mascarenhas and his
spiritual daughters had in the Word of God. Let us hope and pray that this
holy man of God, a message and a messenger of the Word of God will be
raised to the honours of the Altar.
57
58
59
60
29
BI BLI OGRAPHY
1. The Code of Canon Law, Book III, The Ministry of the Divine Word,
1983, The Canon Law Society Trust, published by Collins for Theological
Publications in India, St Peters Pontifical Seminary, Bangalore, 560055.
2. THE DOCUMENTS OF VATICAN II, Decree on THE MINISTRY AND LIFE
OF PRIESTS, CHAPTER I, The Priesthood in the Ministry of the Church,
WI TH PRESENTATI ON OF THE MOST REV R J KNOX, Apostolic
Internuncio, ST PAUL PUBLI CATI ON, 1966.
3. Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda My Reminiscences 24 August 1976, Bethany
Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
4. Mgr M FC Castelino, Speech at the Closing of the Birth Centenary of Rt
Rev Mgr RFC Mascarenhas Founder of Bethany, 23.01.1975.
5. S R Nazareth, Kadri, My Regard for Father Mascarenhas, 30.11.1949,
Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
6. Bertha, BS, Mgr Raymond A Mystic and A Prophet, Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 2007.
7. Bertha, BS, From the Lips of the Founder, Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 1996.
8. J B Montini, Pro Secretary of State to Pope Pius XII, Rome Chief Drafter
of Documents on 3 May 1950. Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
30
Surekha Lobo is a religious and a member of the
Bethany Sisters of the Little Flower. She hails from
Mogarnad Parish, Karingana. She has a Bachelors
Degree in Philosophy from Dharmaram College,
Bangalore and Bachelors Degree in Theology from
Vidyajyoti College, Delhi. She holds a Masters Degree
in Management and Pastoral Theology from J nana-
Deepa Vidyapeeth, Pune, in Maharashtra. She has
done the Formators course for three consecutive summers, under the
Institute for Formation, India. She is actively involved in the formation
work as well as educational ministry partially. She has served as general
coordinator for vocation promotion for 3 years. She has an experience of
three years of teaching in Morning Star Regional Seminary, Barrackpore,
West Bengal. Currently she is an Assistant Tertian Directress, at Rosa
Mystica Tertiate, Gurpur, Karnataka.
VISION IN MISSION
A Reflective Study on Mgr RFC Mascarenhas,
the Servant of God and the Founder of the Sisters of the Little
Flower of Bethany, Mangalore.
Sr Surekha Lobo
The world around you tells the fascinating story of the new world being
born of practical visionaries growing all-around you. Thousands of visionaries in
every country are creating a new world, solving a thought problem, finding
higher common ground around you. We are in a scientific era. We are in a
fast changing world and the only thing that is constant in this world is change.
Today, everything and everyone is measured in terms of Character Competence
and Spiritual Power. Yahweh had a vision of redemption and He communicated
that vision to leaders. The Bible is full of examples of leaders who had God-
given visions and lived to pursue those visions. In the Old Testament one
sees Moses with a mission of leading the people of Israel to the freedom of
the Promised Land from slavery in Egypt.
1
Young David killed Goliath and
freed Israel from disgrace by the uncircumcised Philistine.
2
King Solomon built
the Temple; and Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of J erusalem.
3
I n the New
Testament: Peter ministered to large crowds.
4
Paul saw possibilities in pagan
1
Exodus 3:7-12.
2
1 Samuel 17:20-50.
3
1 Kings 6 and Nehemiah chapters 1-6.
4
Acts 1:15; 2:14; 3:11-12; 4:8; 4:29; 4:33; 5:12-16; 5:21; 5:42; 10:34; etc.
31
cities and planted Churches wherever he could.
5
Esther saves her people.
6
They saw with their minds eye a future that was preferred to the present.
They are men/women fired with a passion for God and passion for humanity.
Hence, vision as modelled in Scripture and throughout Church history
came as Gods people opened their eyes to the needs around them and then
sought the mind of God as to what He wanted them to do. Vision is Gods
perspective given to humanity.
J esus was gripped by the vision of Gods reign. The vision propelled Him
forward to do courageous things. For example, in the parable of the mustard
seed, he predicted the nature of the Kingdom. It has small beginnings like
the mustard seed but he envisioned that the mustard seed would grow into
a tree big enough for the birds of the air to build nests on it. He also compared
the kingdom to yeast which can transform the dough. A little yeast will do
magic to the dough
7
. Through the vision, you define what kind of positive
change you want to make. It is inspiring, motivating and gives purpose. A
vision can ultimately create a community. This is what J esus did. J esus shared
his vision with his followers and was able to translate that vision into a reality
through his disciples in building the community of the apostles.
8
They were
the basic fishermenthat team of men who would later revolutionize the
world as appointed witnesses of Christ (Acts 1:8). A great vision can serve a
useful purpose even if it is understood by just a few key people. That shared
sense of a desirable future can help motivate and coordinate the kind of
actions that create transformations.
9
We can say that our vision for Christian leadership must come from the
model of leadership as found in Scripture: J esus Christ. His vision should be
our own; otherwise we cannot call it Christian leadership. Interestingly, God
calls people to be leaders and equips them with the skills that they need to
carry out the job He gives them. It is God who will call and God who will
provide truly great leaders with all that they need to carry out the task at
hand, as long as their heart is right.
10
5
Acts 13:1-4; 13:16; 13:43; 14:1; 14:3; 14:14-15; 14:21-3; 16:10; 16:13-15; 17:1-4; 17:11-12; 17:17;
17:32-34; 18:4-5; 18:7-11; 19:26; 20:1-2; 20:17-21; 20:25-32.
6
Esther 5: 1-2
7
PT J oseph, SJ , Pastoral Leadership Styles and Emotional Intelligence. 2010, 143.
8
PT J oseph, SJ , 2010, 143.
9
J P Kotter, Leading Change, 1996
10
What is a Servant Leader - accessed 21 February 2013. www.burgmann.act.edu.au/.../What-is-a-
Servant-Leader.pdf; Internet
32
A vision is an attempt to know who you are, where youre going, and
what will guide your journey. Knowing who you are means having a significant
purpose. Where youre going, means moving ahead with specific goal or
having a picture of the future. What will guide your journey signifies clarity in
values. Its because leadership is about having a goal and arriving at it. Knowing
where youre going requires having a clear vision. A vision builds trust,
collaboration, interdependence, motivation, and mutual responsibility for
success.
This study throws light on the Vision, not of a nation, or an organization
or a company, but of someone who has a clear sense of the future and the
actions needed to get there effectively. That someone is none other than
the Servant of God Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas, the Founder of the
Congregation of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany, whod have
turned 137 had he been alive, leave alone his vision. He was open to the
inspiration of the Holy Spirit in his daily life and communicated this gift to his
daughters, the Bethany Sisters. When reading about Mgr Raymond, one can
view him from the perspective of the visionary leadership and enumerate the
characteristics of a compelling vision that an effective leader should have in
the mission of transformation.
Mgr Raymond had a vision
The core of his vision is making a choice in
life. It is Ignatian: choosing the standard of Christ
and negating the standard of Satan. One
evening, just as Raymond returned from school,
he overheard a lady visitor remarking to his
mother: This son of yours can be an instrument
either for a great deal of good or a great deal
of evil. Raymond is said to have declared his
firm resolution, Why should I be an instrument
of evil? I would rather go about doing good.
The best decision is to take the path that will
benefit you most in the end after its all said
and done and that is the road less travelled by.
We feel that the vision of Mgr Raymond is the
choice he made. He was someone who was
able to think outside the box, who could share
a vision effectively and who could inspire and
Mgr Raymond as the
Vicar General
33
encourage others to be visionaries. The founding of an indigenous Congregation
(1921) is considered as the magnum opus the crowning glory of Mgr
Raymonds achievements.
In his report to The Right Rev Dr Valerian J D Souza, the then Bishop of
Mangalore, Mgr Raymond himself writes, I have been greatly moved by the
great good which an Institute of this kind was calculated to do among our
people by giving an opportunity of religious life to many among our girls who,
on account of the circumstances of their education, means and conditions in
life, would have no facility for joining any of the Religious Congregations existing
in the Diocese, but nevertheless could be received and prove suitable for an
institute of this kind. As a matter of fact, the circumstances of most of those
that I have got together are such that either they could not have the privilege
of a religious life at all or would have had to go outside the Diocese to find
it.
11
Mgr Raymonds heart ached for this sector of his parish. As he turned to
God in prayer, soon it became clear to him that he must meet the challenge
in whatever way that might be open to him. Ultimately, he conceived the
idea of founding a Congregation with the double aim of making religious life
possible for many young girls and, to prepare apostles to carry the Good
News of Christs Kingdom to the poor and neglected in various parts of the
country.
Strengthened by the encouraging words of Bishop Paul Perini SJ , the
then Bishop of Mangalore, Mgr Raymond committed his project to the Lord,
and waited for God to send him labourers who would bring glory to God and
be willing to offer their time, services, and talents to serve the poor. Eventually
God provided four generous lady teachers who were apt for this venture.
Mgr Raymond-a Man of the Church
Visionary leadership is transformative. It involves greatness, penetrating
the ordinary, reaching through it to bring out the best the world has to offer.
Being called to be a true disciple of Christ, Mgr Raymond was totally united
with Him who inspired him to continue his mission and ministry. He identified
himself with the person, message and mission of Christ and was obsessed
with the evangelical urge to have the Gospel preached to the poor and to
make the whole Christian world become conscious of its apostolic call. According
to him, everyone must be an apostle and must fulfil ones apostolic task in
ones own field in so far as one is able. He consumed himself in the service of
God and man/ woman.
12
His consuming zeal for Christ and for His kingdom
11
Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas 31 August 1928, A Report on Bethany to The Right Rev Dr Valerian J
DSouza, Bishop of Mangalore.
12
Miranda, My Reminiscences, 4.08.1976
34
was so great that no hurdles prevented him from moving ahead. Upholding
this view, one of the diocesan priests wrote: he spent doing good in all
places he went to as a parish priest. It was his zeal that prompted him to start
the Bethany Congregation, whose motto also is to serve the poor and needy
especially by imparting education to them. Like all saints he was misunderstood
and had to face criticism and opposition from many. He bore everything bravely
with full trust in the Lord. However, he succeeded in his endeavours, and the
Church appreciated his work by making him a Monsignor, a title of dignity
which he wore with humility and yet so befittingly.
13
He was a man with a
passion, passion for the mission, passion for the proclamation of the Good
News to the poor.
Divinefocused aspect in the leadership style of Mgr Raymond
Awesome, he was really God dependent person. I n reading his
exhortations and letters one is struck by Raymonds constant reference to
God in the following form as a continuous criterion:
Do well whatever you do; do it for God and for God alone, and your life
will be a continual canticle of praise, a continual Gloria Patri I am not alone;
the Holy Trinity, Our Lady and my Guardian Angel are always with me.
The phrase Glory of God is often repeated. J ust as in an organization
its goals and specific orientation determine its structures and tasks, so for Mgr
Raymond it is in function precisely of giving glory to God that government
structures in Bethany are established, decisions by superiors are made, apostolic
discernment is guided, and the type of formation is chosen. Furthermore,
Mgr Raymond expects Bethany Sisters to share his own spiritual vision by
internalizing the directives he expounded in the Constitutions, exhortations
and letters. As a visionary he regarded his life and contribution to the spread
of Gods Kingdom as a blessing divinely given. The power that moved him was
the power of faith in God.
Authentic leadership
Mgr Raymond was a man of integrity and truth. At times he abhorred
compromises and stood for truth irrespective of consequences.
14
I n the
open-ended section, one of the most appreciated things which ranked first
by the eye witnesses is his authenticity and determination.
13
A DSouza 17.06.2002, Memories on Mgr Raymond.
14
M Hyacinth, BS Interview, 02.03.2005.
35
As we page through the biographical sketch, one is certain that creativity
and originality were a special mark of Mgr Raymonds characte; originality in
the ideas he presented, originality in all the works that he did. It was his
originality and fluency in speech in presenting matters that attracted people
and held them spell bound. He had a good command over English, Latin and
Konkani. He spent his retired life using his pen to cater to both the spiritual
and secular needs of the public. He did a lot to popularize Konkani hymns and
books, both in prose and poetry. He has rendered the four Gospels in Konkani
and then the entire New Testament.
Credible leadership
Credible leaders model the way forward for others by acting in a manner
that is consistent with their words (they walk the talk). They are also
consistent in their message and decisions.
Right from the beginning Mgr Raymond grew up in faith and trust in the
arms of his parents from whose guidance he imbibed the spirit of love, hope,
courage and sacrifice. His father greatly contributed to Raymonds daring
spirit and courage to venture into the new and the unknown. Firmness of
character stood him in good stead to the end of his life. Speaking about his
mothers influence he said: It was on the lap of my mother that I learnt the
first lessons in self-discipline, self-control and self-denial.
15
From what has been analyzed we may summarize the visionary leadership
of Mgr Raymond thus:
Captured by the compassionate love of God manifested in J esus, he
was deeply disturbed and pained to see the choices people made between
the values of the kingdom and of the world and allowed himself to be
challenged and respond to the opportunities and threats of his times. He
was a man who treasured values, maintained high ethical standards, drew
inspiration in spirituality, and was driven by values of honesty and integrity. He
dared to take the unbeaten path, to take risks, risks on behalf of the poor
and the marginalized. He was convinced that risk-taking was part of being a
leader.
Conclusion
Some leaders are born and others are made. Mgr Raymond belongs to
the first category. The history of the Catholic Church is resplendent with the
15
DSouza Violette, BS Unless the Seed Die, 1985, 12.
36
reforms and renewals. It is through these reforms and renewals the Church
strives to be relevant to the changing times. At every such mile stone, there
stand tall personalities of the Fathers of the Church, Doctors of the Church
and Saints and Blesseds, the sung and the unsung heroes of faith; the daughters
and sons of the Mother Church. Mgr Raymond is one of such unsung heroes.
When the existing Religious Congregations were unable to read the signs of
the time, Mgr Raymond, a passionate pastor could. He can be called a man of
vision, for he perceived the discrepancies between life promoting and death
leading activities and the Vision God has for humanity.
With the vision focused Mgr Raymond remained open for endless
possibilities of the future.
The outcome of such a vision and mission, in the case of Mgr Raymond
is the birth of the Congregation of the Sisters of Little Flower of Bethany in
the Church. The vision that Fr Raymond saw, had a far reaching impact. The
tiny mustard seed sprouted and never ceased to grow up into a mighty tree.
A religious Congregation, sprouted as a tiny diocesan Congregation, very soon,
even during the life time of Fr Raymond, spread into other dioceses of South
India and later into north and north-east India. Today, within a span of 92
years, being rooted in I ndian culture, Bethany has spread rapidly to the
length and breadth of the country and at present has foundations in 24
states of India and 9 dioceses of Europe and Africa. The core idea is that a
visionary sees what others do not. In the context of hopelessness a visionary
envisions a multitude of possibilities. That comes from God.
37
BI BLI OGRAPHY
Adair J Great Leaders. England: Talbot Adair Press, 1989.
Adair, J ohn. Lexicon Of Leadership: The Difinitive Guide to Leaderhsip. United
States: Kogan Page Limited, 2011.
A DSouza, Fr Memories on Mgr Raymond, 17.06.2002, Bethany Generalate
Archives, Mangalore.
Alex A Pais, BA, LLB, Advocate High Court, Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas-An
Appreciation, 1949, Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
DSouza, Sister M Violette. Unless the seed die; A brief sketch of RFC Monsignor.
Mangalore: Kodialbail Press, 1985.
Fr Geo Payyapilly, Sr Mary Benedict BS, Fullness of Life. Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 2003.
Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda, My Reminiscences 24 August 1976, Bethany
Generalte Archives, Mangalore.
Hybels, Bill. Courageous Leadership. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
Ihlenfeldt, Bill. Visioanry Leadership: A Proven Pathwaay to Visionary Change.
Bloomington: Author House, 2011.
J acob, Pierre. I gnatian Discernment. I n A commentary of the Rules of
Discernment and the Autobiography of Ignatius of Loyola, 77. Gujarat Sahitya
Prakash, 2008.
J oseph, Fr PT Pastoral Leadership Styles and Emotional Intelligence. St Pauls,
Bangalore, 2010.
J Mendonca, Bishop of Trichinopoly, Letter to Fr RFC Mascarenhas dated 26
February 1950.
J udith Mascarenhas, Speech, 4 March 2000 on the Sacerdontal Centenary of
Mgr RFC Mascarenhas at Bethany Bendur, Mangalore.
Kotter, J ohn P. Leading Change. Boston, Massachusetts: Hardvard Business
School Press, 1996.
Log of Bethany 1921-1953, Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
Address of the Catholic Association of South Kanara, to Rt Rev Mgr RFC
Mascarenhas at the Catholic Bank on 27 March 1941, Mangalore, April 1941.
38
SCRI PTURE REFERENCES:
Exodus 3:7-12.
1 Samuel 17:20-50.
1 Kings 6 and Nehemiah Chapters 1-6.
Acts 1:15; 2:14; 3:11-12; 4:8; 4:29; 4:33; 5:12-16; 5:21; 5:42; 10:34; etc.
Acts 13:1-4; 13:16; 13:43; 14:1; 14:3; 14:14-15; 14:21-3; 16:10; 16:13-15;
17:1-4; 17:11-12; 17:17; 17:32-34; 18:4-5; 18:7-11;
19:26; 20:1-2; 20:17-21; 20:25-32.
Esther 5: 1-2
Malphurs, Aubrey. Planting Growing Churches for the 21st Century, Third
Edition. USA: Baker Book Publications, 2004.
Maxwell, J ohn C Leadership Within You. United States, America: Thomas
Nelson Inc. Publishers, 1993.
Rev Fr Gerald LR Miranda, My Reminiscences 24 August 1976, Bethany
Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
Porras, J ames C Collins and J erry I. Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary
Companies, New York: Harper Collins, 2002.
Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Bendur, The First Report on Bethany
to The Right Rev Dr Paul Perini, SJ , Bishop of Calicut and the Administrator
Apostolic of Mangalore, 19 March 1925.
Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Bendur, The Special Report on Bethany
to The Right Rev Dr Valerian J . D Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, 31 August
1928.
Sr M Paupera, BS Memories on Mgr Raymond. 28 J une 2002.
Sr M Esperie, BS, Bethany My joy and My Crown, 33. Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 2003.
What is a Servant Leader-accessed 21 February 2013.
www.burgmann.act.edu.au/.../What-is-a-Servant-Leader.pdf;I nternet.
39
Sr Namrita BS, a member of Bethany
Congregation hails from Kerala. Sr Namrita was
involved in teaching and formative ministry ever since
she completed her academic studies namely Bachelor
Degree (BA) at St Agnes College Bandore and
Bachelor in Education (BEd) at St Anns College
Mangalore, respectively. She served one year as a
teacher at St J osephs Convent School, Sagar in
Shimoga Diocese and one year in St Theresas School Bendore. Soon
after this she assisted the pre-novice Directress at Bethany Motherhouse.
After her Theological (BTh) studies at Kristu J yoti College Bangalore,
She was sent to Patna to pursue the counseling and spirituality course.
With this background she was appointed for four years as the animator
and Pre-Novice Directress at Nazareth Home, Bajpe. Besides this she
served for two years as the Novice Directress at Rosa Mystica Novitiate,
Gurpur. She also did one year Canon Law at St Peters Pontifical Institute,
Bangalore. Presently she is pursuing her I I Year Masters Degree in
Spirituality at J nana Deep Vidyapeeth, Pune.
In this article she emphatically writes, how Mgr Mascarenhas, like
the Prophets of Old Testament, upheld the values of the kingdom
through his far-sighted vision, preaching, writings and benevolent works.
I ntroduction
In every age there have been men and women, who obedient to the
Fathers call and to the promptings of the Spirit, have chosen a special way of
following Christ in order to devote themselves to Him with an undivided
heart (I Cor 7:34). In this way, through the many charisms of spiritual and
prophetic life bestowed on them by the Spirit, they have helped to make the
mystery and the mission of the Church shine forth, and in doing so, have
contributed to the renewal of the society. These words of Pope J ohn Paul II
in Vita Consecrata were certainly true of Fr Raymond Mascarenhas, the Servant
of God, who was a priest, writer, composer, translator, poet and prophet,
RFC MASCARENHAS:
A PROPHET FOR OUR TIMES
Sr Namrita BS
40
visionary, Konkani scholar as well as orator and the Founder of the Congregation
of the Sisters of the Little Flower of Bethany. Raymond did respond to the
voice of God and read the signs of the times in the early 19
th
century and
answered a call within the call through Bethany, the promising garden which
is now humming with life and light.
In this modern era, when faith and religion are in question, and religious
heroes and heroines and their experiences are seen as neurotic, the evolution
of RFC Mascarenhas prophetic life and living and his insightful stand has a
living justification of the Gospel values and have been perceived and accounted
for the spread of his ideas over those of other scholarly men and women of
our scientific age. Mgr Mascarenhas walked the untrodden path and that
made the difference. Hence in this article, I shall try to highlight a few aspects
of the Prophetic life of Mgr Mascarenhas and articulate how he was a prophet
for our times.
1. A Prophetic Vision
A prophet is one who reads the signs of the times and challenges the
existing unjust and inhuman socio-economic order and allows God to transform
it.
1
To read the signs further means, not only to identify the joys and sorrows
of the people, but also to analyze them, to find out the causes, even the
root cause of the situation. The Prophets of Israel were deeply immersed in
the life situation of their people. They lived in full solidarity with the people.
The supreme example is J esus of Nazareth, the Son of God who became
incarnate as Son of man. The prophets then analyzed why the particular
situation had come about and pointed out to the causes and to the root
cause. Thus we see that Prophetic vision is not against prophetic living; instead
as a visionary child destined to serve God. Mgr Mascarenhas vision commanded
admiration and reverence because it was believed to be the product of divine
providence. His vision was a model of revelation on the style of Biblical prophets,
such as Ezekiel, Isaiah and J eremiah aided in his validation as a powerful priestly
figure. Hence, in placing his plans before his superior the Right Reverend Paul
Perini, SJ , he says in all humility, I speak as if in foolishness...
2
. Nonetheless,
out of a vision rooted in the deep spirituality and untiring missionary zeal of
the godly man that he was, Mgr Mascarenhas, opened the first of our houses
1
Coyle, Kathleen, SSC, Prophetic Mysticism: The Call of Empowered Women Religious, In Christo,
J uly 2008, 133.
2
DSouza, Violette, BS, Unless the Seed Die, 1985, 29.
3
Sr M Bertha BS, Mgr Raymond: A Mystic and A Prophet, 2007, 11.
41
outside Mangalore Diocese in the newly erected diocese of Calicut
3
. Will
these dry bones live?
4
. The grand vision of Ezekiel (37:1-14) in which the
whole valley, filled with dry bones, is made to come back to life through the
prophecy of Ezekiel, is an expressive symbol of the future of Israel. The Lord
Yahweh says, I am going to raise you from your graves ..., put my spirit in
you... and resettle you on your own soil. Thus all the Prophets of Israel, and
J esus himself, foretells a bright future and a final life in fullness. Today Bethany,
the living epitome of Founders well-nourished promising garden gives expression
to the above question. Not only the dry bones have come alive but over
them flesh and skin have come. Indeed, today Bendur is one of the most
developed parishes of Mangalore with a number of schools and colleges around.
It is like an evergreen Cyprus, full of life and light.
His great work of founding the Congregation of the Sisters of the Little
Flower of Bethany had the clear purpose of giving an opportunity to girls from
poor families for embracing religious life. The Bethany Sisters then dedicated
themselves to the welfare and education of the poorer sections of the society.
The ideal before him was therefore: Good news to the poor, sight to the
blind and freedom to the oppressed (Lk 4:18). Thus his final goal was to
transform the community from dead bones to a living people. In fact, this
is what the people of Bendur expressed when he was transferred, summing
up his ministry in their parish. They compared his mission and vision to that of
Prophet Ezekiel, who narrates his magnificent vision in which God, through
the Prophet, gives life to dry bones (Ez 37:1-4), and restores them to their
human dignity.
5
2. Every True Prophet is a Genuine Priest
My way of understanding the phenomenon is by making clear the basic
assumption: namely, that priestly life is experiencing God. Although this might
seem an ordinary expression, it is not an unfolded reality; hence, when we
talk about priestly life we are talking about the journey within. The journey
within us is an invitation and a process; beckoning us to see the world with a
difference, with more humane eyes. We often consider it the privilege of a
few. On the other hand, J esus way of being a priest and a prophet consisted
above all in the power to see life as God sees it and penetrate the mystery
with the wisdom communicated to him by the Father.
6
We are called by our
4
Dsouza, Violette, BS, Unless the Seed Die, 1985, 20.
5
Farewell Address to Mgr Mascarenhas given by Parishioners of Bendur on 23 J uly 1931.
6
Coyle, Kathleen, SSC, Prophetic Mysticism: The Call of Empowered Women Religious, In Christo,
J uly2008, 75-86.
42
baptism to become mystics, we are born from above (J ohn 3:3), as J esus
reminded Nicodemus, so that we can live in the truth. The Spirit searches
everything, even the depths of hearts (1 Cor 2:10). Our call as religious is to
echo Gods word in the society; a prophetic lifestyle is meant to serve each
other because every true prophet is a mystic and every genuine mystic is a
prophet.
7
Hence, a prophet is one who speaks by the divine inspiration or as
an interpreter through whom the will of God is expressed. Rather, it suggests
something dynamic- a process, energy, or movement.
In fact, the life and ministry of Mgr Mascarenhas show that he had two
prominent dimensions in his spirituality: contemplation and action. In his ministry
as a pastor and a diocesan priest he read the signs of the times and
understood the need to transform the existing social and economic situation
particularly of the poor girls and women. Mgr Mascarenhas stood like an
undaunted hero and put himself into action so as to transform the existing
situation and venture into an action that would create a socio-economic and
religious environment in order to liberate an oppressive dilemma. This is not
unlike J eremiah who was uncertain of his call as prophet:
Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, Before I formed you in
the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I
appoint you a prophet to the nations. Then I said, Ah, Lord God! Truly I do
not know how Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth;
and the Lord said to me, Now I have put my words in your mouth (J er 1:4-
10).
By likening himself to these Biblical prophets, Mgr Mascarenhas creates a
typology where he himself is the prophetic voice for the twentieth century.
3. Prophetic Mission-An Expression of Gods Compassionate Love
Mgr Mascarenhas compassionate love which resulted from his deep
communion and contact with God ignites him to redeem the suffering humanity
and bring to it the liberating touch of Christ. Thus, mission needs mystical
awareness and prophetic life. They are meant to serve each other because
every true prophet is a mystic and every genuine mystic is a prophet.
8
Hence,
contemplation should lead us to action. When we move into the cave of the
heart, we switch off the inner stream of our thought and feelings; we soak in
7
Painadath, Sebastin, We are Co-Pilgrims:Towards a Culture of Religious Harmony, A J ournal of
ISPCK, Delhi, 2006, 9-12
8
Ibid.
43
the divine energy as J esus, the mystics and saints did while they lived on
earth; in reality Mgr Mascarenhas was no exception. He preached by word
and example. He would say,
I have to give you Christ, teach you how to love Christ and send you
out to the villages to witness to Christ by your life. If I should give this love,
it is necessary that I should have it within me in full measure. This is why I go
to the Blessed Sacrament to fill my heart with love. I should be a cistern of
Gods love, if I am to give this love to others through various channels. Without
this, my apostolate in Bethany will be like a sounding brass and a tinkling
cymbal, as St Paul says (1Cor. 13:1).
9
Moreover, he was passionately in love with the Blessed Sacrament. He
pressed on with perseverance and determination alone to accomplish great
things for God and for the world. Nevertheless, he inspired his spiritual daughters
to be fearless and to face every situation with calmness.
10
I ndeed, the
compassionate ones are prophetic. His compassion towards the economically
backward women was remarkable. For him compassion was not a sentiment
but an active participation in the mission of J esus. They never mince words
but speak exactly what is in their minds. They speak their minds within a
context of liberating oppressed people and believing in a God who is
compassionate and faithful. Thus interiority and prophetic proclamation
constituted the characteristics of his spiritual stance.
4. A Prophet for Our Times
Each age has spiritual giants who influence the way people in future
generations relate to their God and fellow human beings. Mgr Mascarenhas is
such a prophet of the 20
th
century. He reminds us of the spiritual life and
highlights for us alternative ways of living out those concerns. Of course, no
one can mirror all the dimensions of the mystery of the life of Christ. But
occasionally individuals arrive on the scene who manifest in a striking way
particular aspect of the paschal paradigm of Christian existence. Such individuals
provide us with insights and inspirations for the rhythm of our own journey.
They focus our faith on aspects of the life of the Spirit which we may have
forgotten.
9
Sr M Bertha BS, Mgr Raymond: A Mystic and A Prophet, 2007, 13.
10
M Theresine BS, M Esuria BS, Reminiscences, 2009, 51.
44
As a young priest he was sent to take up work in difficult places. Here
am I, send me, was his response like Prophet Isaiah, when he was asked to
take up his ministry. He committed himself whole heartedly to his mission.
11
Mgr Mascarenhas has influenced many and has profound effect on
contemporary spirituality through his different, sometimes opposing, life and
visions, through his scholarly works: writings, composing, and translations.
How do we then develop a mystical consciousness by which we experience
and nourish the divine energy in the core of our being and vibrate that
energy as compassion to those whom we serve in our ministry? Having
researched the mysterious concept of the life of a prophet of our times, I
now focus my attention on his prophetic works.
Literary Activities as part of his prophetic life.
As I dwelt more deeply into these unique experiences, and explored
their underlying spiritual and theological depth and intensity, my research
question, then, became why and how does Mgr Mascarenhas works bear
prophetic witness. Mgr Mascarenhas was a popular preacher and a prolific
writer. His efforts to spread a literary awareness among the Konkani-speaking
people, especially the poor, deserve a special mention. To enable them to
learn to read and write by instructing them in their mother tongue, he published
a primary reader entitled Pailem Pustak.
12
A good idea of his work as a
translator can be gained from the following examples: Little Office of the
Immaculate Conception, Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Office of the
Dead, Funeral Rites and Rituals, Masses for the Dear Departed. At a time
when the Bible was not available in Konkani, he began translating the books
of the Bible first the Gospels, then the whole New Testament which he
published. He had also translated most of the Old Testament books. So the
Word of God was the guiding light on his path. A Few Minutes with Mary on
Saturdays, the Imitation of Mary (a translation of his previous publication in
English published by the Catholic Truth Society at Trichinopoly) are his other
contributions. He also wrote a book on the Life of Christ. The Little Office of
the Immaculate Conception rendered by him into Konkani is the one that is
generally used by the Marian Sodalities. Towards the end of his long life, as he
was failing in health, Mgr Mascarenhas undertook the task of translating the
whole of the Old Testament.
11
J ohn Fernandes, Father Mascarenhas- A Pastor who was a Prophet, in the J oskiran, J ournal of
Religion and Thought, Vol 10, No 1, March 2013, 34-35.
12
M Violette BS, Unless the Seed Die, 1982, 46.
45
In the field of Sacred Music
A talented poet and composer, Mgr Mascarenhas has translated more
than fifty hymns from Latin and English into Konkani each with a symphony of
the Harmony of Celestial Revelations. Most of these collections have become
so popular that people chant them in Churches and in homes.
13
The collections
of these are found in Shembor Kontigo- an old Konkani hymnal.
5. Relevance Today
Finally, an attempt is made to understand and appreciate the relevance
and practical significance of the prophetic life, living, experience and insights
of Mgr Mascarenhas as a true prophet of our times. The prophetic works and
writings lead to an integral vision and universal understanding of realities. In
recent years the life and works of Mgr Mascarenhas have become one of
particular significance to great theologians and scholars and of course to his
spiritual daughters. Above all, Mgr Mascarenhas attempt is a model, to create
a gender just society. If you want to be a prophet you must carry your cross
and follow J esus of Nazareth. There cannot be a true disciple of Christ without
the cross.
In addition, he was an outspoken man. He did not hesitate to even
question bishops when required. He was a member of the Municipal Council
and the District Educational Council, being the only priests there and Director
of the Roman Catholic Provident Fund for a number of years, until on his own
accord he resigned from these posts. His monumental works like the Church
of Udyavar, the Church of Bendur, the Presbytery of Agrar, the sites of the
Churches in Siddakatte, Nirkan and Alipade, St Sebastians School, St Margaret
Marys School, St J osephs Kankanady School, built inspite of so much poverty
and hardships excited the attention of priests and people alike, speak the
little that he had done for the Diocese, but the little however which could
not be entirely lost sight of when putting on record such damaging things
against the last decade of his years, when the fruits of his toil were being
enjoyed by others, and the Diocese was receiving so much credit from them.
In all these situations he was trying to show that there is something for him
in the public eye which deserved consideration, and not mere motive for
glory. His humility was so great that he offered his pain and agony to his
Blessed Mother and the Crucified Lord:
13
M Violette BS, Unless the Seed Die, 1982, 47.
46
In the light of eternity and in the presence of our Crucified Lord and
the Mother of Sorrows, they are indeed a worthy close to my career which is
being stamped with the seal of the Cross, nevertheless in the interests of
truth and justice and for the sake of my own representation and that of
Bethany which I have no right to expose to ridicule.
14
All the same, in fulfilling their task the prophets have to pay the price for
their mission. The cost of prophetism has been, and still is, very high. All the
prophets of Israel, then J ohn and ultimately J esus himself, have paid this
heavy price. Prophets were misunderstood, ridiculed, opposed, rejected,
persecuted and even put to death. The prophets who had to sacrifice their
lives for the cause for which they stood. But true prophets stand firm in their
commitment suffer persecution and even death bravely. By this they prove
the truth and strength of their mission. Ultimately the cause for which the
prophets stood is realized in the hearts of the people for whom they sacrificed
their life. Thus, the birth of a new society, new world has given new hope of
a new heaven and earth.
Conclusion
In the life and ministry of Mgr Mascarenhas we pursue many traits of the
life of a prophet. Like the prophets he denounced untruth and injustice. He
declared justice, truth and love. His preaching, works, writings, deeds, vision
and mission are witness to this. He served the poor, the sick and comforted
the lonely and the sorrowful; everything was in accordance to the fulfillment
of the Scripture, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has chosen me to
bring Good News to the poor and sight to the blind (Lk 4:18). Ultimately his
goal was to create a just society from dead bones to a living people.
However, the price he had to pay for his prophetic vocation was high. As a
cost of commitment to the Church and to Bethany he had to pay double
share that is the Crown he bore as the lot of Prophet. By valuing the
giftedness of the life of a prophet and his unique gift to the 20
th
century
world and his figure of reverence within the contemporary New Age movement,
mostly due to his holistic view of life, as well as his status as a prophetic priest,
occupy a special place in the history of our Church and the world. Thus, he
offered his precious contribution to the growth of the Church of his time,
employing the gifts received from God and showing himself to be a man of
brilliant intelligence, deep sensitivity and recognized spiritual authority.
14
Letter of RFC Mascarenhas, dated 23 February 1941.
47
BI BLI OGRAPHY
Farewell Address to Mgr Mascarenhas given by Parishioners of Bendur on J uly
23, 1931.
J ohn Fernandes, Father Mascarenhas - A Pastor who was a Prophet, in the
J oskiran: J ournal of Religion and Thought, March 2013.
Kathleen Coyle, SSC, Prophetic Mysticism: The Call of Empowered Women
Religious, in In Christo, J uly 2008.
Letter of RFC Mascarenhas, to Bishop of Mangalore dated 23 February 1941,
Bethany Generalate Archives, Mangalore.
Theresine, M and Esuria, M, BS, Reminiscences, Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 2009.
M Violette BS, Unless the Seed Die, Bethany Publications, Mangalore, 1985.
M Bertha BS, Mgr Raymond: A Mystic and A Prophet, Bethany Publications,
Mangalore, 2007.
Painadath, Sebastin, We are Co-Pilgrims: Towards a Culture of Religious
Harmony, A J ournal of ISPCK, Delhi, 2006.
48
Favours Received
BETHANYS BIRTH - IN THE WORDS OF
MGR RAYMOND MASCARENHAS
The Congregation of the Sisteres of the Little Flower
of Bethany was Founded on 16 J uly 1921. Here is an
extract from first report of the then Parish Priest of
Bendur Rev Fr RFC Mascarenhas, the Founder of
Bethany presented to Rev Dr Paul Perini, SJ , dated 19
March 1925 on the feast of St J oseph.
s
My Lord,
I respectfully beg to lay before you the report of a work of mine, here
in Bendur, - a community of lady-teachers- which I have brought together,
and which, on account of the name which I have given to the house they
live in, and is the centre of their activities, I shall call Bethany.
Your Lordship will remember what I spoke to you with regard to this
my intention about J anuary 1920. The need of a work of this kind was long
felt and freely expressed among us - Priests. It was also strongly suggested
to me by some to begin such a thing. Although I endorsed the need of
such a work, yet I felt that I was not meant for it and that I could not do it,
and so I said. However, as the schools I opened in Bendur began to develop,
I found myself more and more in circumstances, which not only convinced
me of the necessity but furnished me with the opportunities of doing it. For,
it was a necessity to employ a large number of lady-teachers.
Lady-teachers who came in to keep themselves occupied until they
could marry at the first opportunity were a source of great inconvenience,
even for personal reasons, apart from the frequent changes that were the
consequence.
Similar difficulty was caused by those lady-teachers, also, who made
our schools a stepping stone to better prospects in other schools, especially
those of Government.
Hence, it was necessary to secure teachers who would not think of
leaving in order to marry, or for the sake of better emoluments elsewhere,
Mgr RFC
Mascarenhas
49
but would stick and work for higher motives. While I began to feel the
inconveniences from the employment of teachers of the former kind, I was
happy to find a few of the last desirable type. But soon a new difficulty
arose with regard to these latter. They, after a time, began to express
anxiety about their future. They exposed to me the difficulty they would
have of continuing for long this work by remaining in their family, and asked
of me to find a place for them in some convent outside, as their circumstances
were not suitable for our convents. I t would not have been difficult to
satisfy this last request, but I saw that we were thus losing our best teachers
and in this way the work of schools was being seriously paralysed; and
secondly, it seemed a pity and a religious drain on our Diocese that chosen
souls of this kind, who were daily growing numerous, should not be able to
secure the object of their desire here, but should be obliged to go elsewhere
for it; and this, while there was so much work for God, not only of education
but other kind too, which was left undone and which they could very well
do.
I t was in these circumstances that I had the above-mentioned
conversation with your Lordship about J anuary 1920 which was repeated at
a later date, in which, after giving my reasons, I expressed my desire to try
to do something in this line; adding quasi in insipientia dico.
Your Lordship spoke to me of the misgivings you felt about the success
of the work but told me to act if I felt an inspiration to do so, and make use
of the opportunities I had. You added that these works are not made to
order as it were, but have to commence from simple and unostentatious
beginnings and have to develop gradually. You illustrated the same by the
history of beginnings of the Society of J esus as also of the Congregation of
the Sisters of Charity, J eppoo. You explained to me how the Foundress of
the latter with her first companions worked for many years as lay people
before their Congregation was recognised. Similarly, you suggested to me
that what I may do by way of commencement would be to get a few of
these to live together in a house of their own and follow a simple rule of life,
and await developments.
Having thus talked the matter over with your Lordship, I began to
work towards this end.
It will be in place here to quote what I wrote to your Lordship, J une
24, 1920, with reference to the erection of a Sodality of the Children of
Mary in the Parish. I wrote: Let me subjoin here the other particular reasons
50
which I mentioned to your Lordship when I asked for your consent to start
the Sodality. They were *** To develop among the select ones, as
circumstances permit, and as Providence helps, a religious spirit which might
gradually bring some of them to live together and form themselves into a
community which might be the nucleus of a Congregation doing unpretentious
but solid work in the way of education etc. This is indeed a large order but
if ever it should come to pass, it must be from small beginnings such as
these.
How the work was actually begun.
Among the lady-teachers of my school, I found three, and there was
a fourth one who wished to undergo training and join the staff, who all
wished to live together and form themselves into a community and devote
themselves to any work that might be required of them. Here I found the
material to begin with.
Next was to provide a house for them, which, in my financial
circumstances was a serious difficulty. I was thinking of renting a house, but
a suitable one could not be found; besides, it seemed to me that the very
instability of the material house would stand in the way of success. I then
wished to procure some land whereon to build a little house on the other
side of the road; but my efforts were fruitless. While I was thus uncertain as
to what to do, there was advertised for sale a small piece of ground, half an
acre in extent with a newly-built decent little house very conveniently situated
for the purpose I had in view. The price of Rs 3,000 was rather too big, but
the circumstances appearing providential, I trustfully went in for it; and it
came about, without any prearrangement, that I got possession of it on St
J osephs Day, March 19, 1921. Both to thank Almighty God for the unexpected
favour and at the same time to secure His blessing on the new venture,
through St J oseph, the first thing I did was to enter the house with the
persons concerned, whom I had called for the occasion and held some
devotions in the new house.
Some months elapsed before the house could be suitably furnished,
and what was more difficult, consent of the respective parents obtained for
the four intended inmates to live apart from their family with a view to their
future life. I t did not seem possible that they all would be able to come
before Christmas of that year, 1921. However, there was a combination of
favourable circumstances which enabled the four to come and begin their
51
new life in the house on J uly 16, the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Your Lordship was then in Europe. The coincidence of this particular day on
which I was enabled to begin this work has always strongly impressed me
with the thought that Our Lady, the Patroness of the Order of Carmel does
not see in the new venture anything prejudicial to the works of her
Congregation of Carmel, and that she looks on it with favour.
The first four members of Bethany Congregation
A loving tribute to Our Lady of Mount Carmel
52
FAVOURS RECEI VED
HEALING FROM MULTIPLE AILMENTS
J ust 6 to 7 months back I came to know about Fr Raymond. Before
that, I had never heard of him; but now I have devoted myself to dear
Father, because so quickly I have been healed of multiple ailments. In my last
letter I had written about my severe back, neck and shoulder pain; now that
pain has vanished completely. Received many favours through the intercession
of Bethany Founder Mgr Raymond Mascarenhas. My sincere thanks to the
true Servant of God. His miracles are amazing.
- Francis Gonsalves, Belgaum. 18.1.2013
THANKSGIVING
Mary Rathna II PUC student of J awaharlal Navodaya Vidyalaya CBSE School,
Galibeedu, Madikeri, has scored distinction in her final exam through the
powerful intercession of RFC Mascarenhas.
- Mary Rathna, Mother Gracy Mani, Kutta
MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION
Thanks for the favours of a good life partner and miraculous good news
of conception of a baby through the powerful prayers of RFC Mascarenhas.
- J acintha DSouza & Ivan DSouza Mulund (Mumbai)
ECZEMA ALLERGY HEALED
.:: .:cc..: :cc..:t ::. ...=;.:c:: c.c .:::
.... /: :: .c::. .-: ::t: ::c -/:=c. (:tc:c
/: ::c .:c :t:= .=: :.c .::c:)
::c .: .::. .:c.ct ..c: c:c t:. c.c
.::: .... .:. .c: ;c:. c: c. ::t: :..c :=c
:/: :::c. ^c :c:c: .:. :: ::c . .:/:c.
- gP Pn
(Translation)
My mother was suffering from the Eczema allergy on her foot. The doctors
were unable to give us any hope of her cure. Through the intercession of Fr
53
Raymond her allergy got cured and her health restored. Thanks be to Fr
Raymond.
Likewise, the work on the construction of my brothers house has been
completed without any hitch. All of us praise Fr Raymond and pray that he
may be elevated to the honours of the altar soon.
- Veronica Cutinha, Puttur
G Pg g u
t- c. ../ :.c.: :. .:. .c.:^ c .- :.:/
:c/ :/c.... .-c.. :t~ .:.. :c c:.c : t:...
.c. :c:. := c. .. .::/-.. ..:/ ..
t::.c /.~::.:..
- rd t:/. .c, t.., :ct:..
(Translation)
Last year I had sever stomach pain. I went to the doctor and he suggested
to have a scan. Suddenly I prayed to Fr Raymond Francis Camillus Mascarenhas
and took the tablets, my pain was healed.
- Leena DSouza Kutta
SURPRISED HEALING OF THE TOE
I most gratefully and humbly would like to place on record and testify to
the favours received through the intercession of our Father Raymond
Mascarenhas, the Founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Little Flower
of Bethany.
My husband Narendra Gurung (non Catholic) was suffering from severe
infection on his right toe for which he was even hospitalized for 9 days in
February 2012. Doctors diagnosed it to be cellulites. The infection got worse.
Despite being treated by several doctors and skin specialists for months even
to the extent of surgically removing the nail off the toe, there was no sign of
cure. The toe continued to ooze out pus causing excruciating pain. He could
not walk even.
I, being a member of the Bethany Lay Associate in Kolkata, was given
the Prayer for the Beatification of the Servant of God Father Raymond
Mascarenhas. I prayed to Father Raymond every night for the healing of my
husbands toe. To our utter surprise thanks to God and Father Founder, my
54
husbands toe is totally healed. This was manifested when we consulted a
general surgeon he asked us to remove the bandage and said not to
bother as nothing was wrong and advised us to just take an x-ray of the toe.
The x-ray revealed only a fracture in the toe. Miraculously without even a
tablet or ointment the toe totally got healed on its own.
I have deep faith, gratitude and love for our Father Raymond
Mascarenhas. This is more so after reading the touching life story of Father
Founder. I, till date, continue to pray every day to Father Raymond and for his
intercession for my two sons, particularly for my elder son, Abhishek Augustine
Gurung (who is suffering from confused identity), for Gods guidance and
right direction in life!
I am confident and with deep faith in God and Father Raymond I will
soon testify many more favours of his powerful love and miracles.
May Gods Goodness soon be showered over all mankind through the
Canonization of the Servant of God Raymond Mascarenhas.
- Agnes Gurung, Behala, Kolkatta 29.4.2013
LOST AND FOUND
My nieces son, thirty two year old boy, was lost for the past one year and
four months. I prayed through the intercession of Mgr Raymond FC
Mascarenhas. Two months ago he is found as he was. I strongly believe this
is the miracle which can be attributed to Father Founder.
- Sr Marie Paul
55
FAVOURS RECEIVED THROUGH THE
INTERCESSION OF THE SERVANT OF GOD
RAYMOND FC MASCARENHAS AND PUBLISHED
IN RAKNNO, THE KONKANI WEEKLY OF
MANGALORE DIOCESE
2009/ 20 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him. Please continue
to pray for other favours.
Celine DSouza, Mannagudda
2009/ 21 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him. The delay is
regretted.
Sandra Baretto and
family, Honnavar
2009/ 22 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.
Lancy, Shilpa, Bajpe.
2009/ 23 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.
Sr Paula BS
2009/ 24 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.
Gracy Rodrigues
2009/ 25 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.
Dolfy DSouza, Venur
2009/ 26 Received favour through the intercession of Servant of God
RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to him.
Cynthia Rodrigues
56
2009/ 27 My heartfelt thanks to the Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas
for the favours received through his intercession.
Sr Helen Rebello, BS, Mudigere
2009/ 28 My heartfelt thanks to the Servant of God Mgr RFC Mascarenhas
for the favours received through his intercession.
Sr J oseph Mary, BS
2009/ 29 My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours
received through his intercession.
Sylvia Pais, Bejai, New Road
2009/ 30 My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours
received through his intercession.
Sr Amrita, Kolkata
2009/ 31 My heartfelt thanks Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours
received through his intercession.
Sr Victoria, Ankola
2010/ 01 My heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours
received through his intercession.
Monteiro Family, Belman
2010/ 02 Our heartfelt thanks to Mgr RFC Mascarenhas for the favours
received through his intercession. We pray that we may get
complete health and happiness.
Rita and Valerian Menezes, Shimoga
2010/ 03 I have received all the favours I had asked for through the
intercession of Mgr RFC Mascarenhas. My heartfelt thanks to
him.
A devotee
59
60