Stanley Bantwal
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 4: The feast of St John Maria Vianney, patron saint of retired priests at Vianney Home, was celebrated on Monday August 4.
The feast began with the Eucharistic celebration by Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore, along with Monsignor Denis Moras Prabhu, Fr Henry Sequeira, Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa, and other priests.
A short felicitation programme was organized after the mass, presided over by Bishop D’Souza. Fr Roshan Crasta was the Master of Ceremony and Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa proposed the vote of thanks. Lancy Mascarenhas, proprietor, Lancy Construction, was felicitated on the occasion.
Fr Muller Hospital administrator Fr Richard Coelho, Procurator Fr John Vas, parish priest of Valencia, Fr James D’Souza, Fr Alexander Lobo, Fr Alex Aranha, Fr Denis Castelino, Fr Harry Tauro, Fr Hilary Sanctis, Fr Ivan Madtha, Fr John J D’Souza, Fr John Noronha, Fr Lawrence Mendonca, Fr Marian Pinto, Fr Maurice F D’Souza, Fr Norbert Fernandes, and Fr Vernon Vas were also present.
History
Vianney home is a residence for retired priests of the diocese of Mangalore. The plot for the Home was purchased by Fr 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’ viz. priests. The director and the 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.