MSGR. HERCULANO GONSALVES – A PATH FROM HUMANITY TO HOLINESS…
A Brief Description: In the early thirties of the twentieth century, Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, a Goan Diocesan Priest from Cana, Benaulim, was enthused with a vision to be Christ-like to the poor, the unwanted, the homeless, the distressed and the like. Responding to the call of Jesus – the Good Samaritan, he materialised his vision through concrete works of charity and his spirit still reverberates in the hearts of those who cherished his generosity, greatness and goodness. While he was the Parish Priest of St. Alex Church, Calangute, his compassionate love and zeal propelled him to found St. Alex Orphanage, a shelter for the young girls and homeless children in Calangute in 1930. In order to give them proper Education, he founded Little Flower of Jesus School, the First English Medium School in Calangute in 1931. To continue his noble work of Protection, Care and Education of the orphans and the needy children, he took another daring step and founded the first indigenous Congregation in Goa for women Religious in 1935, as Congregacăo das Irmăs de Santo Aleixo, now known as Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ.
The significance of the Heritage Abode:
- The Mortal Remains: This Abode is truly a remarkable place with a living testimony to faith and assuring royalty, where the spirit of our Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, a holy and virtuous priest still breathes. The mortal remains are found under a canopy with the marble bust in the midst of a well maintained garden.
- Alex Orphanage: As one ascends the hummock, the self-sufficient building of the Orphanage posing at the left, houses a good number of school going children who find a HOME away from home under a vigilant eye of the Sisters In-charge.
- Alex Convent: One can easily seek inspiration in the glory and peace of this Heritage House characteristically called ‘Casa Mai’ (Mother House). Whether it is to worship or to marvel at the hillock, to be awed by the scale of the beauty of the ambience or simply to relax, one cannot move away without being inspired by the Priest with a Vision, Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves.
- Museum: Artifacts in the Museum are objects which were used or contacted by our holy Founder. They are undoubtedly an inestimable treasure of the Congregation. There is power in the relics and they bestow honour, privileges and an indelible impression on the faithful which are consciously and purposefully written and preserved in the book of impressions. Certificates of achievements, merits, and honors and photographs are powerful tools to know more about Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves who trod the path from humanity to holiness.
- Art Exhibition: The nine arched main structure shields the ART EXHIBITION. The artistic display of the spectacular drawings, paintings and sketches of combined aesthetic beauty with systematic accuracy by Goa’s renowned artists, uncovers some of the most significant and momentous events in the life of our holy Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves in ‘his path from Humanity to Holiness’.
Implication: The present as well as future generation is required to remember and hail the great visionary, who sacrificed the last penny of his toil and laboured like the Good Samaritan to offer his best to give new life to all in need, particularly to the Orphans, the Children and the Women in distress. The purpose of the presentation is to make better known our Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves near and far by building up the heritage specifically through the Museum, the Art Exhibition and the Canopy where the bones are enshrined. Undoubtedly, the Visitors gain an appreciation and explore the imperative role played by this one holy man, Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves.
Conclusion: The Sesquicentennial Birth Anniversary of our Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves in the year 2018 on 2nd February, was indeed a mega event in the life of our Congregation ‘Handmaids of Christ’ and a timely reminder to acknowledge the boundless tidings that the Almighty God has led the Congregation this far enabling us to joyfully make known our Founder in his holy life and legacy. The Sesquicentennial Jubilee will go down in the history of the Congregation as a red letter day and a great milestone of achievement for future generations.
This year, 2020 too offers us two special reasons for rejoicing over the great deeds of the Almighty God at the completion of 85 years of the Foundation of our Congregation on 16th January and the 70th Anniversary of the entry of our Founder into Eternal Glory on 21st March. For this reason I am motivated in my inner mind to pen down a few details about the significance of our Heritage Home.
If your heart moves with compassion to reach out to the poor and needy you are welcome to share in the mission of the Handmaids of Christ, Calangute and become a channel of God’s love and mercy by walking in the footsteps of Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, the beloved Founder of our Congregation ‘Handmaids of Christ’.
Sr. Apollonia HC
St. Joseph Convent, Aquem-Alto, Margao-Goa