Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jul 3: Fr Valerian Mendonca, rector of Milagres Cathedral in Kallianpur, passed away due to a heart attack on Wednesday, July 3 evening. He was 75.
Fr Valerian Mendonca was a native of Pilar, Shirva, born on December 9, 1949. He was ordained on May 7, 1976. His parents were Gabriel Mendonca and Seraphine Mendonca.
He held an MA in English and a Diploma in Communications (Radio & AV Aids), alongside a B Th from Urban University, Rome. He subsequently served as an assistant director at St Anthony's Ashram in Jeppu, assistant priest in Vamanjoor, and pursued studies in Secunderabad and at the Canara Communication Center in Mangaluru. He later served as director of the Kallianpur Milagres Cathedral and held various roles in Mangaluru, Talooru Church Administration, and at the Udupi Mother of Sorrows Church. Presently, he was serving as the main priest of the Kallianpur Milagres Cathedral.
Fr Valerian's extensive service record includes:
- 1976: Assistant Director at St Antony’s, Jeppu
- 1976-1978: Assistant parish priest at Omzoor
- 1978-1979: Studies in Secunderabad
- 1979-1980: Secretary at Canara Communication, Padua
- 1980-1983: Assistant parish priest at Kallianpur
- 1983-1985: Vice-principal at Milagres, Mangaluru
- 1985-1986: In-charge principal at Milagres, Mangaluru
- 1986-1987: Ecclesiastical administrator at Tallur
- 1987-1988: Vice-principal at Milagres, Mangaluru
- 1988-1995: Lecturer at Milagres, Kallianpur
- 1995-1997: Vice-Principal at Milagres, Kallianpur
- 1997-2003: Principal at Milagres, Kallianpur
- 2003-2007: Principal at Aikala
- 2008-2012: Director and principal at Sandesh, Mangaluru, and secretary of KRCBC
- 2012-2017: Parish priest at Barkur, chancellor of Udupi Diocese, director of Social Communication Commission, Udupi
- 2017-Present: Parish priest at Udupi, chancellor of Udupi Diocese, director of Social Communication Commission, Udupi
- 2020 - present: Rector Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur
Fr Valerian Mendonca: A legacy of music and composition
Fr Valerian Mendonca has composed numerous songs, poems, and religious lyrics in Konkani, Kannada, English, and Hindi. He produced several audio cassettes and CDs, with his liturgical compositions gaining international recognition. Fr Valerian was also skilled in playing musical instruments such as the harmonium, electric keyboard, guitar, violin, and accordion, and he trained many others in these arts.
He composed Konkani lyrics for hymns and bhajan recordings by Dr F Charles Vas, SVD, Sangeet Abhinay Academy, Mumbai.
Fr Valerian’s first cassette was a collection of Christmas carols titled “Natalachim Gitam,” released in 1980 while he served as the secretary of the Canara Communications Centre. From 1990 onwards, Fr Valerian Mendonca and Fr Clement Mascarenhas jointly produced cassettes and CDs in various languages.
Valerian Mendonsa was also a renowned musician, with many of his devotional songs having been widely appreciated. His passing away has been deeply mourned by many, including Udupi Dharmadhikari V. Gerald Isaac Lobo, eminent scholar Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, Kulapathi V. D. Roche D'Souza, and Public Relations Officer Denis D'Sa.
Konkani:
- Somyak Vandan
- Moga Ulo
- Jezu Mhojo Rai
- Movall Mog
- Shanti Sagar
- Abba Bapa
- Happy Christmas
- Noman Moriye
- Naman Zuze Vaz Bapa
- Somyachi Vodvik
- Jezu Boro Govlli
- Jivithacho Unddo (12 cassettes)
Kannada:
Namo Parameshwara (1 cassette)
Hindi:
- Pyare Yesu
- Yesu Mera Meeth
- Jai Ho Prabhu
- Prabhu Ki Stuti
- Jeevan Ki Roti (5 cassettes)
Fr Valerian Mendonca's musical contributions have enriched the spiritual lives of many, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of religious music.
Fr Valerian Mendonca’s dedication and service to the community have left a lasting impact. The community mourns his passing and honors his contributions.
His passing has been deeply mourned by many, including Udupi Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo, Vicar general Monsignor Ferdinand Gonsalves, chancellor Dr Roshan D'Souza, and public relations officer Fr Denis D'Sa.
Funeral Service of Fr Valerian Mendonca, will be held at Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur on Monday, July 8 at 3.30 pm.
Mortal remains will be brought to Milagres Cathedral at 12.00 noon for public viewing till 3.15 pm.