Mangalore: Bi-centenary Birth Anniversary of Frad Saib, Architect of Cordel Church

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Apr 14: The bi-centenary birth celebrations of Fr Alexander Dubois, affectionately known as 'Frad Saib', will be organized at Holy Cross Church, Kulshekhar in the city from April 21 to 23, 2009.

The procession of offerings will leave Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatta here at 4.30 pm on April 21. Blessings will be by Fr George Santhumayor OCD, Superior, St Josephs Monastery, Carmel Hill. Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Krishna J Palemar will inaugurate. MLA U T Khader and advocate Ivan D'Souza will be the chief guests. At 6.30 pm on the same day, Vespers will be conducted. Denis Prabhu, vicar general, Mangalore diocese, will be the main celebrant.

At 4.30 pm on April 22, Fr Francis Serrao SJ, Provincial Society of Jesus Bangalore, will declare Kulshekhar church as a memorial of Frad Saib. Fr Lawrence C 'Souza, director, St John's Medical College, Bangalore will unveil the plaque inscribing life history of Frad Saib. Fr Gregory W Vas, parish priest, Blessed Teresa of Kolkata Church, Paldane will unveil the plaque inscribing the prayer. The plaque containing names of donors will be unveiled by Fr Walter D'Mello, parish priest, Our Lady of Miracles Church, Mangalore. Inauguration of 'Someaacha Paxanvacho Mollo' will be by Fr Valerian D'Souza, former parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Cordel. Bisho Aloysius D'Souza of Mangalore diocese will deliver the blessings.

Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza will be the main celebrant for the Concelebrated Solemn Jubilee Eucharistic celebration scheduled to be held at 5.30 pm. Fr Victor Joachim Machado, Rector, St Joseph Inter-diocesan Seminary in the city, will be the preacher. The Jubilee felicitation programme will be held at 7.15 pm, which will be presided over by Bishop Aloysius Paul D'Souza. MLA Yogish Bhat, Yenepoya University chancellor Y Abdulla Kunhi and Nitte University vice-chancellor Dr Shantaram Shetty will be the chief guests. Corporators K Bhaskar, Mariamma Thomas, Mohan Padil, Shakila Kawa and Gretta Rebello will be the guests of honour. The programmes for the day will conclude with community dinner at 8.30 pm.

At 6.30 pm on April 23, a Konkani Play, 'Cordelcho Frad Saib' will be staged. Dr J W Lobo, director, International Affairs, Christ University, Bangalore will be the chief guest. Fr Ronald Serrao, dean of studies, St Joseph's Inter-diocesan Seminary, will be the guest of honour.

Fr Alexander Dubois, born on March 19, 1809 in the Archdiocese of Rouen, France, sowed the seeds of kindness and love wherever he went. People affectionately called him 'Frad Saib' or ‘Kullerda Ajjer' during his lifetime, and even now his name is uttered with reverence and gratitude.

Fr Alex reached Mangalore in 1865 AD, when he was 56 years old. As Milagres was the only parish present here then, he was appointed as the parish priest there. He immediately started his apostolic work with zeal and traveled far and wide to cater to the spiritual needs of the people as the parish then covered a large area. His saintliness was evident in whatever he did and he concentrated his mind and heart on God every minute and was knows as the 'Man of God'.

Fr Alexander, a great devotee of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was seen kneeling and praying often in the balcony of the church even during late nights. He consumed simple food, practiced penance and led an austere life. He was very compassionate towards the poor people.

When he proposed to demolish the old structure of the church at Milagres and replace it with a new and bigger building, leaders did not accept his proposal. Therefore, he decided to set up a new church at Cordel, a place he frequented for praying and meditating. Frad Saib laid the foundation stone of the Cordel Church on September 14, 1873, the feast day of the Triumph of the Cross. He contributed 30,000 francs of his own patrimony and another 30,000 francs received as legacy from his God-father for the church building.

After the end of the rainy season in 1877, cholera spread in several parts of the city and suburbs and Frad Saib who immersed himself in tending to the sick, was afflicted with this deadly disease, became seriously ill and offered his soul to his Creator with grace and dignity on December 11, 1877, on the eve of Milagres parish feast.

There are many stories that depict the miraculous powers  Frad Saib had, both of healing the sick and conferring other favours to the needy, both during his lifetime and thereafter, many of which find a mention in the book titled ‘Frad Saib’ authored by V J P Saldanha.

Frad Saib has won the sainthood in the hearts and minds of his devotees, who hold him in high esteem, respect, reverence and love, even though he is yet to be favoured with the honours of the altar.