Fr. Dancy: The Young Man who Walked the Path Shown by St. Francis of Assisi

Report by Dr. Eugene D’Souza
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 16 May 2010: Fr. Dancy Martis who heard the voice of his conscience and followed the path shown by St. Francis of Assisi and had joined the Capuchin Order was ordained a priest on 29th April 2010 at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Gurpur by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza along with three other deacons of the same Order. He offered his first solemn Holy Mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 6th May 2010.

Fr. Dancy was born on 16th December 1981 as the third among six children of Baptist and Celestine Martis. His other siblings are Nancy, Vincy, Maxy, Felcy and Lancy. Fr. Dancy’s mother, Mrs. Celestine Martis has been active in social service and is presently the member of the Udupi Taluk Panchayat.

Dancy had his education up to 10th standard in St. Lawrence High School, Moodubelle and passed the SSLC examination in 1997. As a student he was a member of the Altar Servers’ Sodality. While in Higher Primary, Dancy was a member of the school parliament and acted as minister of communication in the school cabinet.

Fr. Dancy says that he owes his vocation to Fr. Peter Cyprian (Capuchin) who was in Moodubelle for three and half months to assist late Fr. J.J. Saldanha who was indisposed and recovering from an illness. During these few months, Dancy who was studying in 10th standard came in contact with Fr. Cyprian and was quite impressed by his simple lifestyle and spirituality. Being convinced that he had a divine call, Dancy decided to join the Capuchin Order. After getting the results of SSLC, Dancy approached Fr. Joachim D’Souza, then vocation promoter for the Capuchin Order in Mangalore region.

Having made up his mind to join the Capuchin Order and exploring ways and means to join it, Dancy told his mother about his decision as his father was abroad. Having secured the permission from his parents, Dancy went to Dayalbagh Ashram, Ujire for the orientation programme and PUC studies for two years.  After PUC, Dancy was sent to Pre-Novitiate training at the Assisi House at Bijai, Mangalore where he spent one year.

Having finally decided to continue in the Capuchin Order, Br. Dancy entered the Novitiate House at Monte Mariano at Farangipet for a year and took his first vows on 16th May 2000 at Farangipet. Later, he was sent to post-Novitiate programme for a year to Clara Vihar, Potnal in Raichur.

For his philosophy and graduate studies, Br. Dancy went to Deena Seva Ashram, Bangalore. While, studying philosophy as regular course, Br. Dancy completed the graduate studies through correspondence course of the Mysore University in 2004.  For one year Regency, Br. Dancy proceeded to St. Francis of Assisi School at Mizoram where he taught up to 7th standard. After returning from Mizoram, Br. Dancy underwent Theological studies and priestly formation at Kripalya, at Bogadi in Mysore and partly in Bangalore. At the end of the second year theological studies, Br. Dancy took the final vows. After rigorous four years of training in priestly formation, Br. Dancy was elected to the Order of Diaconate on 3rd July 2009. After securing Bachelor of Theology degree, Br. Dancy was posted at Infant Mary’s Church at Katipalla for practical training in priestly ministry up to Easter of 2010.

Br. Dancy was ordained a priest on 29th April 2010 at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, Gurpur by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza along with three other deacons. He offered his first solemn Holy Mass in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on 6th May 2010 which was concelebrated by 30 priests. Following the Mass, a felicitation programme was organised in St. Lawrence Parish Hall Moodubelle. The programme began with Prayer Dance. Fr. Sunil D’Souza, Parish Priest of Tannirbhavi anchored the programme. Fr. Maxim Misquith, Parish Priest of Stella Maris Church, Kalmady raised the toast in honour of Fr. Dancy. On this occasion, Fr. Peter Cyprian who had inspired Fr. Dancy to join the Capuchin Order spoke as provincial representative and Provincial Councillor.  Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Parish Priest of Moodubelle and Fr. Joseph Mascarenhas, parish priest of Katipalla also gave their best wishes to Fr. Dancy on this occasion.

At the end, Fr. Dancy expressed gratitude to his parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, benefactors and all those who had directly and indirectly helped him to ascend the Holy Altar in the service of Christ and the Church. The people who had gathered for the felicitation programme individually congratulated Fr. Dancy and kissed his consecrated hands. Nearly 800 people were present for the First Holy Mass and felicitation programme of Fr. Dancy.

Bellevision congratulates Fr. Dancy on being ordained a priest in the Capuchin Order and wishes him all the best in his priestly ministry.