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St. Francis Xavier's Ashram Raia, Goa |
Goa was always in the minds of Fr. Zimmermann and companions for Indian recruits for the Society. There were already three priests working in Indore diocese who were from Goa (Frs. Vincent Blasco Barreto, Patrick Albuquerqe and Antony Vaz). After Goa became part of the Indian Union in 1961, plans were ready and the great pioneer, Fr. Peter Verhlen, who had pioneered vocation work in Mhow, Kaduthuruthy and Mangalore was appointed in Goa. He wanted to venture into south Goa possibly because of the better percentage of Catholics. Fr. Vasco D’Souza, the chaplain of Our Lady of Rosary chapel in Fatorada offered him a small room. Fr. Peter was assisted by the regents one of whom has become a Bishop viz Bp. Leo Cornelio.
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Fr. Peter introduced several projects, like diary farm, distiller for cashew fenny and rubber tree plantation as a part of self sufficiency for the house. In 1966 there were 10 students. Fr. Walter Mendonca was appointed as prefect and vocation promoter. He would address altar boys and school students, hold weekend vocation camps and summer camps for the probable candidates and this method gave rich dividends. After Fr. Peter and Fr. Walter’s period, Frs. Caetano D’Costa, Seby Quadros, Joseph Pereira, Joaquim Fernandes, Innocent Fernandes, Mathew and Tony Menezes have rendered a commendable job. The Rectors who succeeded Fr. Peter are, Fr. Salvador Serrao, Fr. Caetano D’Costa and Fr. Joaquim Fernandes. Author W.O. Saunders has these childhood memories of his father: ‘I had seen him mend his shoes and toil for an hour drawing rusty nails out of old boards to get nails to patch the woodshed or garden fence….that I might wear better shoes than he, and have the leisure that never was his”. (Courtsey Mark Link, S. J. Daily Homilies). This is the legacy Fr. Peter Verhalen has left to the posterity when he died on December 12, 1998 and was buried on December 16, 1998 in Goa. |
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Fr. Peter Verhlen |
Initially the candidates were recruited from Vth class; now it is done with boys of IXth class and above. The latest statistics show that 19 Goans were ordained priests of whom seven are working in foreign missions, in Africa and South America. There are 15 students at various levels of formation and the house has 18 students.
The present staff consists of Fr.Caetano D'costa (Rector), Fr. Sylvester Rego (Farm Incharge), Fr. Manuel Antao (Vocation Promoter).
Goa Staff
Fr. Caetano D'costa, Fr. Sylvester Rego and Fr. Manuel Antao
