Padre Agnel- "Servant of God"

The Venerable Father Agnelo Gustavo Adolfo de Souza, S.F.X. 

( 21 January 1869 – 20 November 1927)

Father Agnel, as he is known, was born in the village of Anjuna to Miguel Arcanjo de Souza and Maria Sinforosa Perpetua Magalhães. His parents had nine children, eight sons and a daughter, among whom Agnelo was the sixth child. Even as a small child, all were impressed by his behaviour. From a young age he would remember sermons heard at Mass and would teach doton'n, that is the catechism, to other children, some even older than him. When he was eleven, his parents died suddenly. As his mother was dying, she entrusted her children to the care of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

He was a Roman Catholic priest of the Society of the Missionaries of St. Francis Xavier, Pilar who performed missionary work in the province of Goa. Agnel died on the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was on 20 November in 1927. He collapsed on the pulpit towards the end of the sermon. He insisted on waiting till the Benediction of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He is said to have wanted to die on this feast, and God granted his wish. He died and was buried in Rachol. The parish priest who buried him roughly said these words "Hanvem atanch eka Santak matiek laila" which means "I have just laid a saint to rest". 

His remains were brought to Pilar on 10 January 1939. The cause for his canonization has been accepted for investigation by the Holy See, and has progressed to the point that he has been declared Venerable in 1986. Ven. Fr. Agnelo's day is celebrated on 20 November every year, with novenas beginning on 10 November.

This year due to the Pandemic the faithful devotees of Fr.Agnel had to participate in masses online....

  

 

           MANEAVONT AGNELAK BHAGEVONTACHO MAN MELLUNK MAGNNEM

Ogonnit kaklutichea Deva, / sorpott poddun / Tujeam paiam sorxim, / ami magtanv / vhodda visvasan, / Tuji khuxi ani amchea boreponnak / upkarta zalear, / Man. Agnelak / Santacho man favo kor, / amche Povitr Sobheche, / Igorjeche, / ughodd porghottnne udexim. / Magtanv amchea Somia Jezu Kristache nanvim. / AMEN.