Media Release

Udupi, Nov 23: The funeral mass of Fr Valerian Justin Menezes (V J Menezes) was held on November 22 at 4 pm at St Fidelis Friary- Monte Mariano Church, presided over by Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, the Bishop of Mangaluru along with Fr Alwyn Dias, the provincial minister of Karnataka Capuchins, Fr Melwyn D'Souza, the Guardian of St Anne’s Friary Mangaluru and many priests, religious brothers and sisters and laity, here.

Fr Jason Pais preached a lovely poetic homily wherein he said, "Fr V J truly had an experience of the love of God and he was always enthusiastic to share that experience with the people of God. Fr V J’s homilies, retreats, compositions and other literary works always reflected the abundance of spiritual wealth he owned. Today Fr V J is enjoying the wonderful eternal rewards that Christ the King had promised him."

Fr Prakash Lobo, the editor of Kutmacho Sevak - a Konkani monthly in his eulogy beautifully narrated the life of Fr V J. As a Capuchin priest, spiritual retreat preacher, Konkani writer and composer, and an organizer he always tried to share the love of God with humanity. His jovial nature attracted many young people to change their lives and come back to Christ.

Benita Menezes Coelho, the youngest sister of Fr V J shared her experience with Fr V J. She also gratefully remembered all the Capuchin friars and the staff of St Anne’s Friary for taking good care of her brother priest.

Fr Alwyn Dias expressed his gratitude to the bishop, priests, friars, religious sisters and the laity for their support and presence during the funeral ceremony. He also thanked specially the friars at St Anne’s Friary for the wonderful care and love given to Fr V J during his last years of life.

Soon after the eucharistic celebration, the body was laid to rest in the Capuchin cemetery.

A large number of people came to pay their respects to Fr V J and offered their prayers to God.