Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 23: The 'Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice' (Latin: For the Church and the Pope) medal, an award of the Roman Catholic Church, also known as the 'Cross of Honor', was bestowed on Sr Mary Vas by Apolostic Nuncio Dr Salvatore Pennacchio in New Delhi on Saturday June 21.
The medal was instituted by Pope Leo XIII (July 17, 1888. “Quod Singulari”) in memory of his golden sacerdotal jubilee. It is currently given for distinguished service to the church by lay people and the religious. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity and the religious by the Papacy.
During the year the Nuncio petitioned the Holy See to bestow upon Sr Mary the Papal Honor, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, “In recognition of her effective and distinguished service to the Nunciature, New Delhi, India”. By the act of decree and medal, “The Holy See has recognized her extraordinary service to the Church and her generosity of mind and heart in sharing her many gifts and talents to the nunciature for 23 long years”.
On Saturday June 21, a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated by Dr Salvatore Pennacchio and concelebrated by Msgr Romanus Mbena, Msgr Marco Sprizzi, Fr Dr Charles Vas, brother of Sr Mary Vas and director of Sangeet Abhinay Academy, Mumbai, and Fr Royal Anthony, education director, Catholic diocese of Bareilly at the Chapel of the Nunciature New Delhi.
The current version of the medal is awarded in golden. The obverse depicts the Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul. On the left arm of the cross is the inscription pro Ecclesia (For the Church), on the right arm of the cross is Et Pontifice (And Pope). At the point of the bottom arm of the cross is the coat of arms of the reigning pope His Holiness Pope Francis I. At the points of the other arms are the small Greek crosses.
Sr Mary Vas (maiden name Cecilia) was born at Omzoor, in the diocese of Mangalore in December 1935. She is the daughter of the late Jacob Vas and the late Seraphine Pereira Vas. She comes from a family of 5 children - 3 girls and 2 boys. Amongst them, three are religious viz Fr Charles Vas SVD, Mumbai, Sr Mary Vas CFMFS, Delhi and the late Sr Josephine Vas PDDM. Amongst the other two, one is a teacher viz Stella D’Souza, Mangalore and the youngest one, Pius Vas, is a renowned lawyer of the Bombay High Court, Mumbai.
After completing her high school studies in Mangalore, Sr Mary joined CFMFS in Delhi in 1955. She went to Italy in 1981 and studied music for six years and stayed there for another three years. On returning to India she joined the Nunciature in February 1991 and has given her service for a long period of 23 years.
Sister Mary remarked that she was quite surprised when she received the news of the award. She thanked the Nuncio for the same. She owed her gratitude to the sisters of the congregation who have always walked with her and especially her parents and family members for all that they mean to her.
The other distinguished guests present for the function included Pius Vas, advocate, Bombay High Court, his son Jason Vas, solicitor, and Emmy Vas and Sunil D’Souza, niece and nephew of Sr Mary Vas. Also present were Shanti D’Souza, Lucy and Peter Gabriel with their respective families, and other sisters of the community of Sr Mary, her Provincial Sr Ivy and Superior Sr Lincy.
Pius Vas, the youngest brother of Sr Mary spoke during the felicitation programme and expressed his gratitude to the Holy See and the Nuncio and heartfelt wishes to Sr Mary. He recollected the humble beginnings of the family and beautifully expressed as to how the parish from where the family began viz Holy Family Church has become a reality in the life of the Vas Family, all because of the good works and pious life led by their parents. The speech was so touching that it made the whole atmosphere in the library of the Nunciature very emotional.