IN MEMORY OF BLS. DIONYSIUS AND REDEMPTUS
The annual celebration of the feast of the proto martyrs (first martyrs) of the Discalced Carmelite Order: Bls. Dionysius (Denis) and Redemptus was held on the 29th of November, 2016 at the ruins of our monastery in Old Goa. The Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Charles Serrao, Provincial Superior, along with 17 priests as concelebrants.

It can be recalled that in 1619, Fr. Leander of the Annunciation, a native of Burgos in Spain, contacted authorities in Goa for the purpose of making a foundation. Fr. Leander was able without great difficulty to secure temporary license from Don Cristobal de Sa Lisboa, to put up a church and a modest residence, which soon grew into a novitiate community. The Archbishop and Viceroy contributed to the construction of the magnificent church which was inaugurated on 25 April 1620 and completed in 1621.

Today, one can see the ruins of the first foundation Carmelite Monastery at this place. The ruins are still standing like St Augustine’s tower. More than 100 friars were trained in that Monastery. Regularly Carmelites from around the world visit this site. It became the cradle for nearly 20,000 Carmelites of Asia. There are tombs of significant personalities of the royal family and of Carmelites friars on the premises and in the Convento Do Carmo church.

Delivering a homily during the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Provincial Councillor for Spirituality, appealed to the faithful gathered to strengthen their relationship with Jesus and gives witness to him like the two Blesseds. Taking the help of the documents of the Church and Sacred Scriptures, Fr. D’Souza recalled the martyrdom in the Church down the centuries and in our times. Elaborating on the different types of martyrs he said that a Christian martyr offers his life for others (red martyrdom). But many may not get this opportunity. He went on to explain the concept of ‘white martyrdom’ that is witnessing Christ without shedding blood. Fr. Joaquim Loiola Pereira, Secretary to the Archbishop of Goa and Daman, spoke on the occasion. He recalled his association with the Carmelites and how from the Minor Seminary he accompanied the seminarians to this spot every year as part of their history lessons. Fr. Archibald Gonsalves, Superior, Carmelite Monastery, Margao proposed a vote of thanks. Every year, the Carmelites observe this feast as a mark of remembrance of their first martyrs.

Fr. Charles Serrao declared that the Extraordinary Definitory (which includes Fr. General and his team of Definitors and all the Provincials of the Order) will be held here in Old Goa in 2019 to mark 400 years of the first foundation of the Discalced Carmelites in Asia.

The Karnataka-Goa Province, acknowledges the hard work of Fr. Archibald Gonsalves in the last two years to get all the papers and pursue the case. Before him we have to recall the zeal of Rev. Fr. Nemesio Alzola of happy memory and Late Mr. Mariano Dias. The latter who served this cause out of personal interest was ably supported by Fr. Clifford D’Souza. Now we have the services, of Mr. B. S. Banthia, and Advocate of the Supreme Court.

We pray and hope that we would get enough land around the present ruins to re-establish our presence in the near future. May the two Blesseds intercede for us all.