CARMELITES IN GOA COMMEMORATE PROTO-MARTYRS
The Carmelites in Goa celebrated their annual Mass in honour of their first martyrs, Blessed Denis and Blessed Redemptus, at the historic ruins of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Monastery in Old Goa. Fr. Silvestre D’Souza, Provincial Superior, presided over the Eucharistic celebration.

Concelebrants included Fr. Rosario Oliveira, Parish Priest of Se Cathedral, Old Goa; Fr. Cannio Cardozo, a Carmelite priest serving in the Canada Mission; Fr. Marlon Rodrigues, Superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao; along with eight other Carmelite priests serving in Goa.

In his homily, Fr. Silvestre emphasized that living out the Christian vocation is similar to "white martyrdom." He urged the faithful to remain committed to their Christian calling, noting, “Persecution and martyrdom are practically at our doorstep. We must be prepared to witness to the Lord, even to the point of shedding our blood.” Reflecting on the early Church’s veneration of martyrs, he observed, “The veneration of saints began with the cult of the martyrs.” He reminded the congregation of the first three centuries of Christianity, marked by intense persecution, yet unwavering in growth. Citing the Acts of the Apostles, Fr. Silvestre added, “The more the Church is persecuted, the more it grows.” He further recalled Tertullian’s words, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of Christianity.”

Fr. Silvestre also highlighted the example of Carmelite saints who aspired to martyrdom, including the Martyrs of Compiègne (Discalced Carmelite nuns), St. Edith Stein, and particularly St. Teresa of Jesus and St. Thérèse of Lisieux. He spoke of the first Carmelite martyrs, Blessed Denis and Blessed Redemptus, whose martyrdom inspired the growth of the Carmelite mission in Indonesia. “Today, Christians are persecuted across the world. Standing firm in our faith and living Gospel values is becoming increasingly challenging,” he said, urging the faithful to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.

The Mass in honour of Blessed Denis and Blessed Redemptus is traditionally celebrated on November 29. However, this year, due to the Exposition of the Sacred Relics of St. Francis Xavier, it was held on November 6, 2024. Fr. Marlon Rodrigues expressed gratitude to all who participated and helped organize the Mass.

The liturgical choir was led by the Postulants, with support from members of the Margao Secular Carmel Communities. Faithful from all three Secular Carmel communities in Goa, Chicalim Cloistered Carmel extern sisters and other attendees joined in the celebration. During the event, Mr. Glen Cabral, a social activist, was honored for his dedication to the Carmelite community, particularly for his efforts to preserve the ruins of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and Monastery in Old Goa.