Sastan : Final Journey - Tearful Farewell to Fr Vincent Martis


Final Journey : Tearful Farewell to Fr Vincent Martis 
Report by Dr. Eugene D’Souza and Kevin Rodrigues
Pictures by Mayur Studio, Barkur

WATCH VIDEO
 
Udupi, Feb 5: The people of St. Antony’s Parish Sastan bid a tearful farewell to their beloved parish priest, late Fr. Vincent Martis in the evening of Friday, 5th February 2010. He had been the parish priest of Sastan for the last nine years and had endeared to the people of the parish because of his friendly disposition and good work that he had done in the parish including the starting of an English Medium School, construction of the Community Hall and providing a four storey building for the Kannada Medium School. He had also completed the formalities to affiliate the English Medium School to the CBSE, Delhi.
 
Prior to the funeral at St. Antony’s Church, Sastan, the embalmed body of Fr. Vincent was taken from Fr. Muller’s Hospital to Milagres Church where a solemn Requiem Mass was offered by Rev. Fr. Denis Moras Prabhu, the Vicar General of Mangalore Diocese. Rev. Fr. Victor Machado, Rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Mangalore preached the homily recounting the contribution of late Fr. Vincent. Following the Mass, people of Mangalore who were present for the Mass paid their last respect to late Fr. Vincent.
 
From Mangalore, the glass casket containing the body of Fr. Vincent was taken in an ambulance to Belman to his ancestral house where Fr. Francis D’Souza, the Diocesan priest conducted the prayer service. The ambulance then proceeded from Belman to Moodubelle where, Fr. Vincent’s ailing elder sister, Mrs. Theresa Alva (wife of late Robert Alva) could glance for the last time her loving brother. From Moodubelle, the ambulance reached Sastan at around 1 pm where Fr. Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest of Kundapur and Dean of the Kundapur Deanery  and Fr. Dominic Viegas (OFM) from Holy Family Church, Brahmavar and the Parish Pastoral Council members and other parishioners of Sastan received the casket near the entrance of the church.




































The body of Fr. Vincent was kept in a specially arranged stand in front of the church in order to enable the parishioners and other mourners to pay their last respect. A large number of people, Christian as well as non-Christian from and around Sastan who had great respect and affection towards Fr. Vincent were seen queuing up to have the last glimpse of Fr. Vincent. Many people from other parishes where Fr. Vincent had served either as an assistant parish priest or as the parish priest had come in large number through hired vehicles.
 
On the arrival of Most. Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore at around 3.50 pm, the body of Fr. Vincent was transferred to the wooden coffin and was placed on the stand in front of the altar in the church.  The main altar of St. Antony’s Church, Sastan was decorated with white roses and purple cloth symbolizing mourning. The choir had been singing hymns throughout the time that the body of Fr. Vincent was kept for the public to pay their last respect.

The solemn funeral Mass was offered by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius D’Souza at 4pm. Around 75 priests from different Deaneries attended the funeral Mass. Among them were: Rev. Dr. Baptist Menezes, Episcopal Vicar, Udupi, Rev. Fr. Mathew P. Vaz, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Sorrows Church and the Dean of Udupi Deanery, Rev. Fr. Marcel Saldanha, Parish Priest of Milagres Church and Dean of Kallianpur Deanery and Rev. Fr. Alban D’Souza, Parish Priest of Kundapur and the Dean of Kundapur Deanery. There were also a large number of religious sisters belonging to different congregations.
 
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Aloysius D’Souza said that Fr. Vincent had given selfless service to the people of Sastan and he participated in their pain and sorrow of losing their beloved parish priest. He further said that it was the will of God that he is no more with his people. In spite of being away from them, Fr. Vincent would always intercede in heaven with God for the welfare of the people of all the parishes that he had served, especially the parishioners of Sastan.
 
In his sermon, Fr. Vincent Menezes, Parish Priest of Cassia and batch mate of Fr. Vincent while in Seminary, spoke about the theology of priesthood and that of death. He said that a priest should live and work according to the life teachings of Christ and late Fr. Vincent lived and worked according to his priestly vocation in the path shown by Jesus Christ. He elaborated the sentence from the Holy Gospel that unless the grain of wheat falls in the soil and dies, it will not produce new life. So was the life of Fr. Vincent who toiled for the welfare of his parishioners wherever he had served.
 
In his eulogy following the end of the funeral Mass, Rev. Fr.  Valerian Pinto, Parish Priest of Kulshekar and also the classmate of Fr. Vincent Martis narrated in brief his family background, education and training for priesthood in the Seminary. He said that he knew Fr. Vincent very well while in Seminary and was his study guide. He also recalled the dedicated service that Fr. Vincent had rendered in various parishes. His contribution to the Parish of Sastan has been memorable. Fr. Vincent had made many parishioners self sufficient different parishes that he had served. He had helped quietly many people in need.
 
While delivering the eulogy, Fr. Valerian Pinto could not hold back his tears and with choked voice he paid rich tribute to one of the most loved and admired priests in recent times. Fr. Valerian said that Fr. Vincent was a man of few words and plenty of blessings. He shared with the poor whatever he had. He was close to God and loved by people wherever he had served.   Fr. Valerian noted that the enormous number of people that have attended the funeral of Fr. Vincent shows that he was loved by all.
 
Robert Furtado, Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council offered emotional tribute to Fr. Vincent on behalf of the parishioners of Sastan by recalling the great work that he had done in the parish and placed flowers on the coffin of Fr. Vincent. While Robert Furtado was speaking many parishioners were found wiping their tears. The members of the Parish Pastoral Council, different Associations, Gurkars of Wards and heads of educational institutions run by the parish placed bouquets on the coffin of Fr. Vincent. K. Jayaprakash Hegde, the ex-MLA of Brahmavar and the ex-Minister of Fisheries in the previous Government of Karnataka also paid floral tribute to late Fr. Vincent.
 
William Saldanha, Secretary of the Parish Administrative Council of Sastan expressed thanks to all those who helped in bringing the body of Fr. Vincent from Rajasthan to Mangalore and those who helped in arranging the funeral.
 
On behalf of the family of Fr. Vincent, Rajesh Martis, nephew of Fr. Vincent and who had travelled with him to Rajasthan and miraculously had survived expressed gratitude to Dr. Aloysius D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore for offering the funeral Mass and all the priests and religious sisters and the people of Sastan for making arrangements of the funeral.
 
Bishop Dr. Aloysius D’Souza in his final remarks consoled the parishioners of Sastan and conducted the final funeral prayers. Thereafter, around 6pm the body of late Fr. Vincent Martis was carried in procession by the priests to the cemetery and was lowered in a specially built grave in the cemetery.
 
As the funeral service got over, the sun was seen setting on the horizon. People went back to their homes with tears in their eyes and emotion in their heart of losing their beloved parish priest. As the sun would rise again the next day so the great works that Fr. Vincent had done in Sastan and elsewhere will remind the parishioners that there lived a priest among them who not only loved them but showed them the path of living a respectful and dignified life.
 
Fr. Vincent, along with his sister, Benedicta Tauro, nephews, Rajesh and Prakash and nieces Reshma and Priya was on his way to meet his sister, Sr. Laura in Rajasthan when the Scorpio vehicle in which they were travelling met with a ghastly accident on 2nd February 2010 at Abu Cross Road near Mount Abu at around 12.30 pm. Fr. Vincent, who was in the front seat was believed to have succumbed on the spot due to the massive injuries that he had sustained. The injured were taken immediately to the Brahma Kumaris Hospital near Mount Abu. Later, Prakash, Benedicta Tauro, and Reshma Alva who had sustained serious injuries were shifted to the Rajasthan Hospital at Ahmadabad so also the lifeless body of Fr. Vincent.
 
On 3rd February 2010, following the post-mortem, the embalmed body of Fr. Vincent, accompanied by Priya and Rajesh along with other relatives of Fr. Vincent was flown to Mumbai and from there to Mangalore by 11am. Later, the body was kept in the mortuary of Fr. Muller’s Hospital at Kankanady, Mangalore. According to a reliable report, Benedicta Tauro, Prakash and Reshma though out of danger require surgery and further treatment for recovery which may take quite some time.

  

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Comment on this article

  • george, dsouza

    Sun, Feb 07 2010

    thanks to Daijjiworld for the pictures. may the soul of father rest in peace

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  • frank, Maria Madtha, Puttur/Moodubelle

    Sun, Feb 07 2010

    Heartfelt condolences from all of us. May his soul rest in Peace.

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  • Louis D'Souza, Sasthan/Kuwait

    Sun, Feb 07 2010

    Thanks to Daiji for the snaps. Thanks to our loving Bishop and all the Priests & nuns for attending the funeral ceremony. Thanks to Mr. Jaya Prakash Hegde (Ex-MLA) and each and every one for coming from every part of the country. More than 5000 crowd shows the popularity of our Fr. in our area. When the Scorpio hit the Electric pole the door opened and Fr. fell out the broken Pole came onto his face directly and that was the reason he died on the spot. Any way its Gods wish, we lost a great real priest.

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  • SANDRA DSOUZA, MANGALORE/ISRAEL

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    MAY FR.VINCENT MARTIS SOUL REST IN PEACE...thanks to mayur studio good work...very good taken those pic......nd very very sad to hear nd see those pic.....daiji u r doing very very good job, and we wish u good luck ..........

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  • Martha(Pinto)Suares, Barkur/USA

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    Thanks to Daijiworld & team for the coverage of the final journey of Fr.Vincent Martis. May His Soul Rest in Peace.

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  • Carol Martis, Kuwait/Trasi

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    Very sad news, May his soul rest in peace.

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  • Louis D' Souza, Mangalore / K.S.A

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    My Heart felt condolences to Fr. Vincent Martis,May His soul Rest in Peace

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  • Pius Dcruz, Belman / Dubai.

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    Shocked to hear Fr. Martis demise.Anyway God selected ed the best person to work in his garden.We prey to God to give courage and strength to the parishnars and the family members to bear this great loss.

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  • Dr. Cajetan Coelho, Goa, India

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    Respectful farewell to Fr. Vincent Martis. May the Giver of life grant him eternal bliss.

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  • WILFRED D'SOUZA, Kulshekar/Saudi arabia.

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    ''SASNASO VISHEW DHI THAKA YE SOMIYA ANI NIRANTAR PRAKAS THACHER FANKONDI SAMADHANENTH THACHO ATMO VISHEW GEVNDHI'' MAY THE MIGHTY LORD GRANT HIM ETERNAL REST AND GIVE STRENGTH AND COURAGE TO HIS FAMILY MEMBERS TO BEAR THE LOSS.

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  • Shalini D'Souza, Mangalore

    Sat, Feb 06 2010

    May our beloved priest soul rest in peace, May all priests follow his footprints and serve church and people the way Fr. Martis did!!!

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  • Rudy almeida, Nakre/UAE

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Thank you Daiji & entire team for the coverage & the report of the funeral of our great Nakre X Parish priest Fr.Martis.

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  • Fedrod Daril Dsouza, piusnagar/bangalore

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Thank u daiji for giving us funeral pictures of fr Vincent martis.

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  • Beena rodrigues, mundkur

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    thank u daiji for giving the memorable pictures of funeral ceremony of Fr.Martis.

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  • Antony Crasta, Mangalore/Sydney, Australia

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    A great report by Dr. Eugine D`Souza and Mr.Kevin Rodrigues, and pictures by Mayur Studio, Barkur, and thanks to you Daijiworld, for the excellent coverage. May Fr. Vincent`s soul rest in peace.

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  • Maxim D'souza & family, Hungarcutta / Sharjah

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    We thank God for the Daijiworld team for furnishing us with s and uploading the funeral photos of our dearest Fr. Vincent Martis. We also sincerely thank God for all those who helped our parish priest in his difficult time. Thanks to all those who have offered prayers and expressed their condolences. We thank our bishop, the priests, the religous and all those who participated in the funeral service. Fr. Martis will always be remembered in the hearts of St Anthony' parishoners for his exemplary work. We humbly pray, may the good Lord bless our parish in a special way and touch the hearts of our parishoners to forgive and forget all the differences in opinions and help us to walk and work together for the welfare of our church, for the better future of our children and to build a strong united church, a strong society and to make us a better citizen for the good of our nation. May the good Lord bless the soul of Fr. Martis and give him eternal rest.

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  • cyril p dsouza, nakre/israel

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    A lots of Thanks to daiji for giving us, funeral pictures of fr Martis. Heart fall condolence, to yuo 'fr vincent martis' may yuor soul rest inpeace..

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  • Rocky D'Almeida&Fly, , Sastan, Kuwait

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Thank you Daiji for the coverage of the funeral of our great parish priest Fr.Martis.

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  • Canute Mascarenhas, Mundkur

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Thanks Daijiworld for giving lively pictorial report. Heart felt condolences to Fr.Vincent Martis, May his soul rest in peace

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  • Roshan, m'bidri/a'dhabi

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    May his soul rest in peace lord.

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  • Charlie, Sastan

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Fr, Vincent Martis has created a milestone in sastan parish in living and so did in death. Pray for us greaved parisheners from heaven above. We all love and respect you a lot. Thank you Daijiworld for the coverage.

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  • Gilbert Crasta, Trasi - Kuwait

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    Million thanks to Daijiworld for giving us the funeral photos of our beloved Fr. Martis.

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  • Thomas Dsouza, Gorigudda/Israel

    Fri, Feb 05 2010

    God call always good people.My Heart felt condolences to Fr.Vincent Martis.may his soul rest in peace.

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Title: Sastan : Final Journey - Tearful Farewell to Fr Vincent Martis



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