Udupi: Udyavar parish all set to commemorate its sesquicentennial

By John M D'Souza

Udupi, Apr 18: St Francis Xavier Church at Udyavar, is one of the older churches shining like a gem in the history of the diocese of Mangalore. This church, known for its spiritual and disciplined people and also for its contribution towards vocation to priesthood and religious life, is now all set to celebrate its 150 years of post centenary golden jubilee celebration. Well-known for its contribution to vocations, this church has nurtured a bishop and also many priests and religious sisters who have offered their lives happily in the footsteps of Christ.

It is said “When fear knocks at the door, send faith to answer it; and you shall find no one there.” Since this year has been dedicated as the year of faith, along with the mission to strengthen faith, good thoughts and right guidance in the faithful, this most anticipated event will be celebrated on May 1. The parishioners will celebrate this day with parish priest Fr Cyprian Pinto, together with the church vice president Lawrence D’Sa and the church secretary John D’Souza who have been offering their commendable service to the parish. On behalf of this jubilee year, 3 days pilgrimage was arranged to the land of St Francis Xavier in Goa and 4 days of retreat had been organised at the church.

150 years ago, this church was a part of the Kallianpur parish (presently the Cathedral of new Udupi diocese). Later, two intrepid leaders of Udyavar Late Dominic Pereira and Late Louis Lobo, together with the full cooperation from the parishioners of Udyavar, put forward their request for a separate church, to the then Archbishop of Goa, Dr Amerin Passo, who in the year 1863 granted the permission; and this church of Udyavar, devoted to St Francis Xavier was constituted and was structured as a small gazebo besides the road near the present day elementary school. This was then inaugurated on 10-01-1866 by Fr John Louis Marian D'Souza who offered the holy mass as a parish priest.

With a strong faith and sacrifice of the ancestors, and with their generous minds, the church at Udyavar started to grow in all aspects. Due to soil problems, a new church could not be constructed during that time at that location. But, on 31-05-1903, the then assistant priest of Kallianpur Monsignor Raymond Mascarenhas was transferred as the parish priest of the church which yet again brought awareness amongst the people of Udyavar. Filled with a strong determination, the new parish priest along with the help of generous donors purchased 3 acres of land on north side and began the mission of constructing a new church. Under the leadership of the parish priest, without looking back and without considering the exhaustion, the new church was erected within a span of 2 years time. The new structure was blessed by the bishop Kavadhini on 06-01-1909. The church was not constructed by its people alone; instead, it was constructed on the foundation of deep spirituality, discipline and a strong faith of the people, under the eminent leadership of Msgr Raymond Mascarenhas. This blessed priest was named as “Gods Servant” on 03-06-2008, and the people of Udyavar are the witnesses of his sanctity.

Many new parish priests were assigned to serve the people of Udyavar and were candid in offering their service. New belfry, pulpit, statue of our patron saint, portico, altar were constructed. Further, various church associations like altar boys and girls sodality, women sodality etc were established in the church. On the occasion of the Silver jubilee of the church, Eucharistic celebration was offered on 06-01-1935 by Msgr Raymond Mascarenhas.

In April 1940, Fr Avelin D’Silva was ordained as the first priest from the church during the service of Fr Cashmeer Fernandes. Further, in the year 1946, Fr Paul Crasta was ordained as a priest. Later Fr John Fernandes, Fr Xavier Pinto, Fr Vincent Pereira and many more were ordained as priests from the church. Presently, many of the priests are offering their services in this diocese and other dioceses and also in foreign and missionary countries.

In the year 1950, Fr Frank Peris established a community of dramatics as “Dramatic Association” at Udyavar. Every year a drama written by Late Henry D’Silva (Raan-Udyavar) would be played at Udyavar. Tripple stage performance of Fifteen mysteries and Passion of the Christ were firsts in the history of the diocese of Mangalore.

As the years passed by, Fr Anthony Noronha, Fr Aloysious F Pinto, Fr Loius D’Souza, Fr James Andrade, Fr Thomas D’Souza, Fr Stanley Pereira, Fr Henry Fernandes, Fr Richard Coelho and Fr Charles Noronha served as the parish priests and contributed in the development of the church. New belfry, boundary wall around the church, parish community hall, chapel at Bolargudde, high school, English medium school, two convents and a presbytery were constructed. Contemporary development has been taken place in various religious, educational and cultural fields. Since the church structure was 100 years old, a new church project had been intended and was planned to be inaugurated during the sesquicentennial. However, the same could not be made possible due certain unavoidable reasons.

The church constitutes of 540 families and majority of them being middle class, most of them are educated. All the people are active in religious matters and are very strong in their faith. The church comprises of 15 zones (Vado) and these zones are equally headed by male and female zonal representatives. The small Christian community in the church is very dynamic and lively. The members of the associations like altar boys and girls sodality, men and women sodality, third order, vicent-de-paul society, catholic sabha, women association are very enthusiastic and voluntarily offering their services. The church choir comprising of melodious voices actively participates in the liturgy and is very well known in the diocese.

The parishioners have maintained a very high level of friendliness, peace and good relationship with the people of other communities and religions. Present parish priest Fr Cyprian Pinto had organised an all community based Christmas celebration in year 2012, and people from all the religion joined as one community and celebrated this occasion in a grand manner. The association formed in UAE named as “Udyavarites” has been phenomenal in supporting the church in all the developmental aspects.

This year began with the inauguration of the insignia and the theme “Let us strengthen our parish community joining together as one family with strong faith and love” for the sesquicentennial by parish priest Fr Cyprian Pinto during the holy mass on 01-01-2013, the New Year day.

Let the parish achieve the greatest heights and shine in all the fields such as faith, discipline and education. In addition to the above, let us thrive as one family and be an inspiration to others.

All the beloved parishioners settled at different places, devotees of St Francis Xavier, donors, well wishers and all the religious brothers and sisters are invited to attend this occasion.