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The Discalced Carmelite communities of Margao, Mapusa and Xellim gathered at the ruins of Convento Do Carmo, the first foundation monastery at Old Goa to celebrate the feast of the first Carmelite martyrs, blessed Dionysius and Redemptus. The feast is celebrated every year on November 29, but this year November 29 being the First Sunday of Advent, the feast of the first Carmelite martyrs was celebrated on November 30.
The Eucharistic celebrations were presided over by superior of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao, Fr Silvestre D’Souza. The homily was delivered by Fr Joe Tauro during which he recalled the simple and dedicated life of blessed Dionysius and Redemptus and their contribution as conventuals (members of a convent) to the monastery at Old Goa. He further invited the Carmelite friars and scholastics gathered to imbibe the virtues of these two heroes for Christ.
The liturgy was co-ordinated by the postulants (candidates seeking admission into a religious order) of the Carmelite Monastery, Margao and the choir was led by the initiation students of the Carmelite Seminary, Peddem-Mapusa. Fr Silvestre thanked the friars and the scholastics.
Blessed Dennis was a French sailor, a seaman and a cartographer while blessed Redemptus anon clerical Carmelite brother had been a Portuguese soldier. These first martyrs of Teresian Carmel were beatified by Leo XIII in 1900.
