Udupi/M’Belle: Capuchin Minor Seminary ’Assisi Nilaya and Padre Pio Prayer House’

By Dr. Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 14 Mar 2016: The dream of the Capuchin Friars to have their own Minor Seminary building since the last six years was realized when the newly constructed ‘Assisi Nilaya’ and Padre Pio Prayer House near Naalkubeedhi in Kattingeri-Moodubelle was inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais (OFM Cap)-Provincial Minister, Holy Trinity Province Karnataka and blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo, Bishop of Udupi Diocese on Monday, 14 March 2016 in a grand function that lasted from 3.30 pm to 5 pm. Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Varado, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Parish Priest of Moodubelle,  Rev. Fr. Denis D’Sa, PRO of Udupi Diocese, Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes, Superior of Assisi Nilaya along with his community of Friars, Mrs.  Ranjani Hegde, President of Belle Grama Panchayat, a large number of Capuchin Friars, Diocesan Priests, religious sisters and parishioners from Moodubelle and neighbouring parishes were present for the inauguration function.

 

Prior to the formal inauguration function, Albert Martis, who had donated the land and constructed the structure along with his son Herald Martis, handed over the key to the main gate of the building to Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais. Thereafter, Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais inaugurated Assisi Nilaya and Padre Pio Prayer House, first by cutting the red ribbon and thereafter opening the lock of the main gate and sliding the collapsible doors and entering the building along with Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo, Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes  and few others.

 

 

Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo conducted the prayer service relevant to the inauguration of  a new building and thereafter blessed the entire structure by sprinkling holy water.

 

Soon after the inauguration and blessing of the new building, members of St. Roque II Ward led by Mrs. Helen D’Souza, Gurkarn of the Ward presented ’hore-kanike’ to Assisi Nilaya in the form of  a murrah of rice, vegetables, bananas and other provisions which were received by the Friars of Assisi Nilaya.

 

Just before inviting the guests to the stage, a prayer dance choreographed by Mrs. Anita Alva was presented by a team of five girls.

 

The stage function was presided over by Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo. Other dignitaries on the dais included Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais, Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde, Alphonse K. Alva, Vice President of Moodubelle Parish Pastoral Council, Benedict Martis, Gurkar of St. Francis Xavier I Ward in which previous Assisi Nilaya was situated in the Mudartha Charitable Trust building, Mrs. Helen D’Souza, Gurkarn of St. Roque II Ward in which presently Assisi Nilaya and Padre Pio Prayer House is located and Bernard and Mrs. Regina D’Souza, Trustees of Mudartha Charitable Trust who had provided residence for Assisi Nilaya for the last six years.

 

Following the welcome address by Rev. Fr. Anil Sunil D’Souza(OFM Cap), Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas in his message expressed happiness at the construction of their own Minor Seminary building by the Capuchin Friar and wished them well for future. Further he said that Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes has been carrying on the twin responsibility of being the Assistant Parish Priest  of Moodubelle and also Superior of  Assisi Nilaya. On behalf of all the parishioners of Moodubelle, Fr. Clement  complimented Capuchin Friars for their great achievement in having their own building for Minor Seminary and that too in Moodubelle parish.

 

Rev. Fr. Fred Mascarenhas, Dean of Udupi Varado appreciated the natural surroundings of the new Minor Seminary and said that as their founder St. Francis of Assisi was  one of the ardent promoter of environmental wellbeing, the Capuchins have chosen the right place to locate their Minor Seminary which is appropriate for prayer and meditation as well as studies.

 

Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais felicitated Albert and Mrs. Benedicta Martis for donating their land to the new Minor Seminary, Benedict and Mrs.  Flavia Martis for their support and help while Assisi Nilaya was situated in the Mudartha Charitable Trust’s building, Harold and Mrs. Anita Martis for constructing the new building, engineer Ganesh Bailoor and Mrs. Christine Fernandes for her help.

 

In his address, Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais thanked Rev. Fr. Clement Mascarenhas and people of Moodubelle for their cooperation, support and donations because of which the beautiful building could be constructed.  He thanked the Bishop of Udupi, Dr. Gerald Lobo for granting permission to construct the new building for the Minor Seminary. He recalled the contribution of Rev. Fr. Robert Lasrado, former Superior of Assisi Nilaya who was instrumental in initiating the construction of the new building of Assisi Nilaya. He thanked Rev. Fr. Robin Victor D’Souza for providing guidance and advice in the construction of the new building. He also complimented the present Capuchin community of Friars, Fr. Victor, Fr. Prakash, Fr. Anil Sunil and Fr. Valerian for the completion of the project.

 

Mrs. Ranjani Hegde in her message said that she was happy for the young students who would have their own hostel in the form of Minor Seminary and assured support and any kind of help from the Panchayat administration.

 

Bishop Gerald Lobo honoured Bernard and Mrs. Regina D’Souza, Trustees of Mudartha Charitable Trust who had provided their building for Assisi Nilaya for the last six years.

 

 

Most Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address said that the longstanding dream of the Capuchin Friars to have their own Minor Seminary building has been realized. Commenting on the location of Assisi Nilaya and Padre Pio Prayer House, the Bishop said that St. Francis Assisi who was an environmentalist had advised his followers, especially Friars to have a small forest near their community house where the birds and animals could live. However, in this case, the Bishop said that the Capuchins found a forest first and built their house in it. Recalling the greatness of Padre Pio, the Bishop said that Padre Pio has been known for his prayer, saintliness and merciful approach towards the sinners. In the Year of  Mercy, Padre Pio’s relics have been taken to Vatican in Rome where thousands of people pay their respect. He expressed happiness for the fact that the new building would be known as ‘Assisi Nilaya and Padre Pio Prayer House’ and made an appeal to the people to visit the prayer hall and spend some time in the serene atmosphere which is conducive for not only for prayer but also for meditation and study. The Bishop appreciated the service that is being rendered by the Capuchin Friars in the Udupi Diocese, especially at Moodubelle and Perampalli.

 

Rev. Fr. Victor Fernandes, Superior of Assisi Nilaya proposed the vote of thanks during which he recalled the role played by former parish priest of Moodubelle, Rev. Fr. Joswey Fernandes  and former Principal of St. Lawrence PU College, Rev. Fr. Paul Sequeira for having supported Assisi Nilaya and  providing admission to the seminarians in PU classes.

 

Rev. Fr. Dolphy Joseph Pais honoured Rev. Fr. Cyprian D’Souza(OFM Cap) who was instrumental in getting  Mudartha Charitable Trust building to Assisi Nilaya six years ago and Rev. Fr. Robin Victor D’Souza(OFM Cap) who had provided guidance during the construction of the new building.

 

Rev. Fr. Prakash Lobo (OFM Cap) compeered the entire inaugural programme.