Mangalore: Priests at Vianney Home Celebrate Patron Feast with Ardour

Stanley Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (VM)

Mangalore, Aug 4: The retired priests at Vianney Home celebrated the titular feast of their patron St John Maria Vianney at Father Muller chapel here on Saturday August 4.

The feast began with the Eucharistic celebration by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, bishop of Mangalore along with other priests.

A felicitation programme was organized after the mass, presided over by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza. Fr Alexander Lobo and Lancy Mascarenhas, proprietor of Lancy Constructions were felicitated on the occasion.

FMCI director Fr Patrick Rodrigues,  FMCI administrator Fr Richard Coelho, Mangalore diocese procurator Fr Maxim Noronha, St Joseph's Engineering College rector Fr Joseph Martis, Fr Stany Goveas, Fr Denis Castelino, Fr Mark D’Sa, Fr Louis D’Souza, Fr Maurice F D’Souza, Fr Norbert Fernandes, Fr Alexander F Lobo, Fr Ivan Madtha, Fr John Jos Martis, Fr Joseph M Menezes, Fr J Charles Moraes, Fr John Noranha, Fr Marian Pinto, Fr Hilary Sanctis, Fr Harry Tauro, Fr JP Tauro among others were present.

History

Vianney home is a residence for retired priests of the diocese of Mangalore. The plot for the home was purchased by Father Muller in 1876 and built under the administration of Bishop Victor Fernandes between 1931 and 1955. Formerly it was known as Presbytery which means house belonging to church elders, that is priests. The director and chaplain of Fr Muller Hospital used to co-ordinate their meals with retired priests.

Bishop Basil D’Souza appointed one of the retired priests as guardian of Vianney home which did not work out. So from 1970 to 2000, Vianney home was managed by one of the assistant directors of Fr Muller Hospital. Later, a few among the old priests again requested for a guardian, for which the bishop granted permission.