VISIT OF APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO PILAR AND RACHOL SEMINARIES
The 5th of December was an auspicious day for the Pilar Fathers as the Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal, Most Rev. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli and the Archbishop of Goa, His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao, descended on the pristine Pilar plateau for a brief visit to the Mother House of the Society of Pilar and the Pilar Monastery Church. After a gracious shower of petals by the bevy of students of the Pilar Educational Complex lined up at the foot of the Pilar hill, they were greeted atop the hillock by the Superior General of the Society of Pilar, Rev. Fr. Nazareth Fernandes, the Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Pilar, Sr. Luiza Fernandes and a galaxy of priests, brothers and seminarians. A silent prayer was said at the tomb of Ven. Agnelo, a saintly member of the Society of Pilar. The Pilar Theological College sang a beautiful rendition of the Magnificat as the Nuncio and the Cardinal knelt in prayer at the church altar.
The Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, in his address to the Pilar Fathers and Pilar Sisters, expressed his happiness to have had the opportunity to visit the home of the Pilar Fathers whose missionary work he had heard much about. He appreciated their witness to the Majesty of God both in their missionary work as well as the way they looked after the historically and architecturally rich Church of Pilar. He exhorted them to keep giving glory to God in their missionary work which should highlight most importantly the humble sharing of Christ’s love and values, creativity in doing mission and persistence in all tasks undertaken. After imparting his Apostolic Blessings on all those gathered, the Most Rev. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli bid adieu to the gathering.
His Excellency continued his pastoral journey by visiting the Patriarchal seminary of Rachol. In the Seminary he first visited the Seminarian and the Seminary Staff. In his message to the Seminarians he exhorted them to not just grow in the knowledge of the church teachings and scripture but to deepen their experience of the Lord. After a short interaction with the seminarians he met the priests of the Archdiocese in the Seminary auditorium. He appreciated the wonderful work the priests are doing in the diocese and called them to give a real and deep spiritual experience of the Lord to the people. Finally after lunch the Apostolic Nuncio bade farewell to all carrying with him fond memories of his short pastoral experience in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman.
He also made a point to visit St Joseph Vaz Sanctuary and his house at Sancoale where the rector of the Sanctuary Fr. Manuel Dias, Parish Priest of Sancoale Fr. Kennet Teles, Asst. Parish Priest Fr Peter Britto and the parishioners welcomed him.