ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER
Saints celebrated on the 20th of November
VENERABLE AGNELO DE SOUZA, PRIEST
Venerable Father Angelo de Souza was born on January 21, 1869 to Miguel Arcanjo Mariano de Souza and his wife Maria Sinforosa Perpetua Megalhaes in Goa, India.
Tragically, Agnelo lost his both his parents at a young age. He and his siblings were brought up by an uncle.
VEN. AGNELO WAS CALLED TO THE PRIESTHOOD
After a rigorous ten year priestly training at Rachol Seminary and a crucial almost 10-year period of seclusion, fasting, sacrifice and intense prayer within the imposing walls of the Pilar Monastery which was then ensconced on a lush forested hill slope called Pilar after Our Lady of Pilar whose statue was previously brought to the monastery by the Franciscans, Agnelo became a very virtuous priest and an effective preacher.
HEALTH ISSUES
Agnelo had a frail physique which made him prone to illness. While studying at the Rachol Seminary he had to be given special leave to board with a neighbouring family. His otherwise commendable role as Parish Priest of Kumta and later Savordem had to be curtailed.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR
But his years as Spiritual Director at the Rachol Seminary was a major and crucial contribution to the Church in Goa as he trained, counselled and inspired many seminarians who would later, now as priest themselves, unhesitatingly gave glorious testimonies of Fr Angelo’s saintliness and life of heroic virtues.
MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY
Most notable in the life of Fr Agnelo was his meekness and humility, always obedient to his superiors. He was always the last to take his place at the meals table and that too at a corner place. In fact this corner position is maintained even today at the Pilar refractory. The name Angelo was taken from the name Agnes (the Saint on whose feast day he was born) which in turn is taken from the Latin word “agnus” meaning lamb, as in the Agnus Dei during Holy Mass.
Once, Fr Agnelo and his companion reached a Church, where he was to preach, late into the night. The Church was locked and the caretaker asleep inside. But rather than disturb the man, Fr Agnelo insisted that they sleep outside under a tree. He was meek and humble to the core.
AN EFFECTIVE PREACHER
But undoubtedly, Fr Agnelo’s greatest contribution was as preacher. Under the guidance of his Superiors, he would take assignments in far and near Goan Parishes.
Fr Agnelo collapsed and died on November 20, 1927. His remains rest at Pilar Seminary.
(Information from: Herald Publications -
https://www.heraldgoa.in/Cafe/The-Times-of-Venerable-Father-Agnelo/182768)
PRAYER FOR A REQUEST THROUGH THE INTERCESSION OF VEN. AGNELO DE SOUZA
Prayer for petition:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we gratefully acknowledge your plan for our salvation, even by working miracles through your chosen servants. We thank you for giving us your faithful servant, Ven. Agnelo, as an example of how to follow in the steps of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. With our whole heart we pray that you may lead us through your Spirit to imitate his saintly life. Grant us also the favour we ask (mention the favour) as a sign that he now shares the Glory of our Risen Lord.
Prayer for the canonisation of Ven. Agnelo:
O God of infinite mercy, we humbly prostrate at your feet, we beg with wholehearted trust, that if it be your Holy Will, and if it serves our salvation, grant Ven. Agnelo the honours of the Altar, through the solemn declaration of Our Provident Mother, the Church. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
(For any favour received, please contact: The Vice Postulator, Cause of Ven. Agnelo, Pilar, Goa 403 203, India. Email: vpagnel@yahoo.in - from a relic card)
Comments
Post a Comment