The book The Seeds He Sowed: The Life, Vision and Ecological Legacy of Rev. Dr. Fr. Bolmax Pereira (1976–2026) was released by His Eminence Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrão, Archbishop of Goa and Daman and President of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC), during the Feast High Mass at St. Anne’s Church, Ponda, on 4 October 2026, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
The release formed part of the 8th Centenary Celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis of Assisi (1226–2026) organised by St. Anne’s Parish, Ponda. The memorial volume pays tribute to the life and ministry of Fr. Bolmax Pereira, a priest, botanist, educator and passionate environmental activist whose work brought together faith, science, social justice, youth engagement and care for Creation.
The book was released in the presence of Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Francis Rozario OFM, Fr. Anand from the Diocese of Indore, Fr. Neville from Sri Lanka, Fr. Anthony Carvalho of the Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE), several other priests and religious sisters, and Dr. Kennedy D’Silva, who prepared the book on behalf of the 8th Centenary Celebration Committee.
The Seeds He Sowed remembers Fr. Bolmax not merely through his professional achievements and responsibilities, but also through his personal values, family relationships, friendships and commitment to the people and causes he served. Born in Quepem, Goa, Fr. Bolmax combined his priestly vocation with his academic work in Botany and his concern for the protection of Goa’s forests, wetlands, mangroves, rivers and biodiversity. He was also deeply involved in environmental education, youth mentorship, agriculture, Konkani culture and community initiatives.
The book is presented in two parts. The first recalls Fr. Bolmax’s life, vocation, values, achievements and the many responsibilities he undertook in the Church, educational institutions and environmental movements. The second documents ecological initiatives undertaken during the 8th Centenary Celebration and Season of Creation 2026, reflecting the continuing relevance of his vision.
Among the initiatives recorded are the Our Common Home Ecology Handbook and its educational videos shared with more than 200 schools across Goa, the Rev. Fr. Dr. Bolmax Pereira Memorial Inter-School Ecology Quiz, the Memorial Lecture on Climate Change, coastal clean-up campaigns, the Canopy Project, the Franciscan Green Homes Initiative and programmes promoting water conservation, biodiversity and ecological responsibility.
The book also recognises the collective contribution of hundreds of volunteers, parishioners, members of the 40 Small Christian Communities, the Diocesan Commission for Ecology, teachers, students, environmentalists, government departments, community organisations and people of different faiths who participated in these initiatives.
Speaking about the purpose of the memorial volume, Dr. Kennedy D’Silva, on behalf of the 8th Centenary Celebration Committee, emphasised that the book is not simply an account of a life that has ended, but a record of a legacy that continues to inspire action. The title, The Seeds He Sowed, reflects the belief that the values Fr. Bolmax planted in people—faith, knowledge, justice, compassion and environmental responsibility—can continue to grow through the efforts of future generations. The publication is intended to encourage readers, particularly young people, to move beyond remembering Fr. Bolmax to practising the values he cherished. It reflects the Franciscan call to care for our Common Home and the conviction that small, consistent actions can contribute to meaningful change in society.
