St. Anthony and the legend of the Lilies in his right hand.

In religious imagery, Saint Anthony of Padua is especially beloved; apart from the Holy Family, he is the probably the only saint depicted with the Christ Child and in a particularly tender way: he is often shown holding a book (presumably the Bible) in one hand and the Child Jesus in his other hand while stalks of white lilies (representing purity, innocence, integrity and his lifelong struggle against the devil) are present in the foreground. But what is noticeable in these depictions is the fact the Child Jesus tenderly puts his hand on the saint’s face, as if to simultaneously embrace him and bless him. It is a picture that evokes a child’s love toward his parent and the parent's love toward his child. As a matter of fact, statues have depicted this scene ever since the 17th century. But it is no mere pious representation: it really happened in the saint’s lifetime. One night the Divine Child visited Anthony, kissed him and told him that He loved him. Anthony, in that visitation, was entrusted with the Child Jesus and the lilies that are always depicted in religious art represents that trust and divine favor. It is no wonder that such a representation is so loved; it expresses the want of the human heart.

St. Francis of Assisi, Patron of St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Gurim, Bardez, Goa

October 4 , 2014

Today is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), one of the best-loved Catholic saints, who was the founder of the Order of Friars Minor (Capuchin) and the Secular Franciscan Order. He is the Patron of the renowned institution of St. Anthony's High School, my Alma Mater, Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa. Our present Pope has adopted his Papal name as 'Francis' - after St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his humility.

 Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi, Monte de Guirim.

Bardez Goa.

Main altar of the Chapel, dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi.

Twilight view of the Arabian Sea from Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa.

The Alverno Friary & Residence

Resting place of the great Capuchin Friars of Monte de Guirim.

Cross of peace and tranquility facing the Chapel on the Hill. Monte de Guirim. An ideal quiet place for prayer, solace, comfort and inspiration.

On the right side of this cross, as one looks at the picture above,  the giant old nunerca tree stood strong perhaps for generations. This tree was a legend in its lifetime. It was like a mother that sheltered and protected her children under her huge arms from the hot sun and rain.  For the physical training exercise, boys lined up for the “drill” under this legendary tree. In the afternoon boys some played, while other read books. Mission Sunday event was held on this mini plateau. Its own branch roots were very cleverly nurtured back into the earth with soil around it round tin pipes, thereby providing support for itself. Though botanists tried to save it, the old tree sadly did not survive. But a new one that was immediately planted in its place soon grew to its full size and provides a nostalgic reminiscence to the visiting scholars of the old days.

Habemus Papam! (L) - (We Have a Pope!)

Habemus Papam! ("We Have a Pope!")

came  the announcement yesterday given in Latin by the Cardinal Protodeacon, the senior Cardinal Deacon, upon the election of a new Roman Catholic Pope. He is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina. At 76, he is the first Jesuit ever to be elected Pope. He is known to have been a very simple and humble man, commuting by bus and cooking his own meals.

There is something special about this announcement that gave me goose bumps as soon as I heard the news.

Viva Il Papa! were cries heard in jubilation in St. Peter's Square, Rome, and as banner headlines in the newscasts all over the world announcing the Pope's election.

Humility and servitude personified!

People around the world waited eagerly for this moment, glued to their TV sets. This news was proclaimed from the central balcony of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Later the new pope was presented to the people and he gave his first Urbi et Orbi blessing.

Most importantly though for me it only seems fitting and apt that we have a new Pope who has adopted his new name as 'Francis' - after St. Francis of Assisi, who is known for his humility.

What's in a name?

Incidentally, Francis is a common name in Goa, India, and all around the world.  St Francis of Assisi is also the patron of my Alma Mater - St. Anthony's High School, Monte de Guirim, which is run by Franciscan Friars for the last 71 years.

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/10/chapel-of-st.html

At this juncture, we should not forget the name Francis for yet another reason - St. Francis Xavier - the pioneering Jesuit Missionary of the Orient.

“Vere dignum et justum est".

Is it not then, fitting and just, that 'Francis' is the apt name that the new Pope, a Jesuit himself, has adopted after two great Catholic Saints?

*  Francis - after St. Francis of Assisi - a symbol of humility - the Franciscan Friar and preacher. Francis' devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God's creation. St. Francis cared for the poor and sick, he preached sermons to animals, and praised all creatures as brothers and sisters under God. St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and ecology, was born in Italy around 1181 or 1182.

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/12/blog-post.html 

and

* Francis - the great Missionary to the East - St. Francis Xavier - the Jesuit and Apostle of the Indies - whose relics are kept in a silver casket, elevated inside the Cathedral of Bom Jesus, Old Goa.

Coincidence?

The new Holy Father has Italian and Spanish roots - St. Francis of Assisi was Italian and St. Francis Xavier was Spanish.

May long be the Reign of Pope Francis I
(so far the 7th Pope in my lifetime)

Viva Il Papa!

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/10/chapel-of-st.html

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI, Monte de Guirim

HAPPY FEAST DAY

of St. Francis of Assisi

http://tonferns.blogspot.ca/2010/10/chapel-of-st.html

The Friars of Monte - 'Habitual' Humour

Imposing School Building

of the Nineteen Sixties

St. Anthony's High School

Monte de Guirim, Bardez, Goa, India.

'Bridging the Wings'

(Photos by Tony Fernandes)

'Habitual' Humour.

Fathers and Brothers in Uniform
during my time at Monte

They were unique with other exceptional and brilliant qualities besides their regular titles. They were fully devoted their vocation and dedicated to their professions in their chosen fields and proudly donned their distinct dark brown ‘habits’ contrasting with the white cords around their waists, hoods, sandals and ‘crown-cuts’. They were excellent in the arts - talented and innovative, having good organizational skills.

Here below is an appreciation, albeit somewhat on the witty side.

Monte de Guirim. 1953 - 1964

Fr. Pacificus Principal

True to his name, he could calm a storm.

As a builder and strict supervisor, he added and supervised the new school building.

Fr. Diogo, Principal

Excellent English and Konkani Preacher.

Clear delivery. Held audiences spellbound for hours.

Fr. Ambrose, Headmaster

Excellent English Teacher. Suave Administrator.

He taught more with good advice and words than a cane.

Fr. Patrick, Headmaster

History/Good Hockey Player

Known for providing students with the latest eventful news in politics and science at the end of the period. He must have also been the fastest running Friar on the Western Coast of India - in a habit, hockey stick in his left hand, and with the ball from one end of the field to the other.

Fr. Ephrem, Boarding in Charge

Excellent Math Teacher. Euclid of Monte. Absolutely applied the rule of law. Strict disciplinarian. Good marksman with a cane. Superb aim with a piece of chalk even at 50 feet.

Fr. Chrysostom, Physics & Chemistry

Scientist of Monte de Guirim.

Well-known for authoring a special Chemistry Book for School use. NASA would have been envious of his laboratory in its heyday which included a Leyden Jar, microscope, telescope and even a skeleton in the cupboard!

Fr. Fortunato, Geography

Mobile Atlas without a GPS. Ask him a place from Timbuktu to Buenos Aires and he would take you there.

Fr. Columban, English

Excellent Orator. Good diction. Font of knowledge. Witty. Always put things in a humorous way. I think he could have easily put Mark Anthony to shame.

Fr. Ireneus, Religion

Charismatic English and Konkani Preacher

Well known for his short, sweet and to-the-point sermons with chosen words.
Could easily and instantly turn an atheist into a believer!

Br. Vitalis, Art Director

Michaelangelo of Monte

Great Artist / Brilliant Innovator / A Friar with ideas galore!

Br. Peter, Infirmary in Charge

Well known throughout Goa for snake-bite cure.

Snakes might have been terrified of his curing prowess.

Br. Peter, Religion

No Bro. Peter - No Catechism
No Religion - No salvation.
Excellent Religion teacher.

Br. Polycarp, Infirmary in Charge,
Our Doctor in the House - A One-man Team of the Red Cross
From minor Band-Aid to Inoculalion.
From sickness to well-being.

Br. Titus, Engineer

No Bro. Titus, no lights, no water. Unassuming technical wizard. Knew the power generator, the water-pump system and anything mechanical inside out.

Br. Salvador, Music Director

Transportation Guru/ Very Good Driver / Swimmer.

Tough and bold Music Director. Could sense and pinpoint a false note from a distance.
Standing in the wings, unseen by the audience, conducted the entire presentation of the School Drama for two consecutive days. A combination of Yehudi Menuhin and Sterling Moss of Monte de Guirim. Fastest driver on the Western Coast : Monte to Mapusa in 5 minutes.

IN GENERAL:

As Educators: Providing schooling for students from all over Goa, irrespective of caste or religion.
As Administrators and Teachers: Providing a sense of community and belonging to the village of Guirim and also to the surrounding areas.

Tony (Felix) Fernandes - Ex-Student of Monte 1953-1964

OLD PATH TO SCHOOL

The next day, rising early in the morning, Felicio decided to take a stroll on the old path leading to the fields that he along with other boys walked on their to school . He tried to retrace the trail through the vast expanse of the fields. He was in disbelief to find that it was overgrown with wild plants and weeds. It appeared to be seldom used. Then as he was returning home he was pleasantly surprised at a remarkable revelation - to see a bus passing in front of his house that had “ST. ANTHONY’S HIGH SCHOOL, MONTE DE GUIRIM”, sign-written in bold blue letters on its side, picking up the students. That explained the overgrown weeds! No wonder, he thought, he could not find the old path to school!