Thousands of admirers bid tearful adieus to their most loved priest: Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca

By Prof. Archibald Furtado
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 08 Jul 2024: Today, is a day of unusually heavy pour since morning, as the nature too joined its hands in mourning of one of its most celebrated son, Fr Valerian, who was abruptly called to his original and final destination by Him on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2024. Since then, gloomy and sad five days passed by and each one of his parishioner, student, relative eagerly wanted to have a glimpse of their beloved pastor, teacher, a true man of God, in whom all draw solace and comfort in different ways over the years.

 

Around 12.00 noon the mortal remains of Very Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca brought to the Milagres Cathedral, Kallianpur, the holy place and the surrounding which was very dear and close to his heart, for more than 22 great years, placed in a beautifully decorated coffin. The mourning parishioners gathered in large number, broke into tears and unusual crying in despair and consoling each other… was a sight no words can explain…!!

 

People lined up to pay their last respects with holding wreaths and fresh jasmine flowers, trying to touch the holy vestments he wore, the joined hands with Crucifix - Fr Valerian, till a week ago used to celebrate and distribute Sacraments, the feet where they entered brought peace and happiness and that smiling face missing its divine glow…today looked like, a tired man served tirelessly taking rest or in deep sleep.

Every viewer had his own emotional attachment, experience to share, regret to whisper, blessing to be grateful but everything to express in deep silence – ‘Lord God, Yours will be done, as it is Heaven…’.

 

The sudden and untimely demise of Very Rev Fr Valerian Mendonca sent shocking shivers to many, yet to accept or believe that Fr Valerian’s funeral today.  Well-wishers, irrespective of caste and creed, religion or faith, arrived in large number, daring the rain and uncomfortable weather, to pay their last respects to a truly ‘universal man’ watched his thoughts as they became his words, a very careful person in choosing the words, as they converted into actions and those actions into habits and ultimately it formed Fr Valerian’s Character and now become his destiny…

 

At sharp 3.30 pm today, Monday, 8th July, 2024, the ‘Funeral High Mass’ will be celebrated in the Milagres Cathedral Church, Kallianpur, in the  presence of Bishop of Udupi, other Bishops, Priests from the Diocese and from the neighbourhood, past and present parishioners and well-wishers….followed by last rites and burial in the adjacent Cemetery.

More details to follow……