Goacom-Goanow
20 MAY 2004

Tribute to Fr Freddy

FR FREDDY J DA COSTA lived merely for 51 years, but the stupendous achievement he has to his credit today can be matched by very few people. Fired by a pioneering spirit right from his student days at the Saligao Seminary, the young and ever-smiling Varca-born priest was always frank in his approach and opinion. A tragic accident at Haveri in Hubli, Karnataka, in the early hours of May 17 nipped the young gulab (rose) in the bud.

FR FREDDY J DA COSTA A pioneer in Roman script Konkani journalism, editor, publisher, playwright, teacher, preacher, social worker and, above all, a man of action.	FELICIO CARDOZO Revered freedom-fighter, writer, journalist, linguist, Konkan protagonist, teacher and a man of high principles. Closest ally of Fr Freddy in life as well as in death.
At the Siridao Church, where he served last as a parish priest	Children, whom he loved dearly, pray for his soul at the Eucharistic celebration
The service at the Siridao Church.	At his printing press, New Age Printers in Verna.
His staff members break down in grief.	Departing from Siridao
Outside the printing press at Verna	His inconsolable family members, in Varca
Innumerable mourners lining the route to the Varca cemetery, where his body was laid to rest on the evening of May 19.	On his last journey, with his priest colleagues as pall bearers.
His grieving mother.	A last farewell to Fr Freddy.
The 300-year-old Varca Church of Our Lady of Glory, which was packed to capacity with people coming from every corner of Goa, to pay their respects for Fr Freddy.	Born on: July 20, 1953 Ordained priest on: April 24, 1976 Departed on: May 17, 2004 Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrao figures among the group of priests who joined the Saligao Seminary along with Fr Freddy J da Costa. In 1980, he received the Man of the Year award instituted by the President of Maharashtra Congress in Mumbai. In 1995, he received the Kulagar award.

On May 19, Fr Freddy's body was brought to the Siridao parish, for a memorial eucharistic service organised by the deanery of Goa Velha, where episcopal vicar Fr Joseph Salema was the main celebrant. The church was packed to capacity and many among the mourners could not contain their tears. En route to Varca, the large motorcade that accompanied the body made a brief halt at New Age Printers, Fr Freddy's printing press, where Fr Alexio lead a prayer meet. A sea of mourners were seen at Varca, to pay their last respects to Fr Freddy and offer sympathies to the bereaved family.

His sudden demise shocked Goa, and the thousands that attended his last journey wondered why a praiseworthy priest like him had to die so young. Konkani, particularly, in the roman script needed him most at this juncture, because he had shown the reassuring way through his teaching and the 22-year-old premier Konkani monthly Gulab how language could be developed. He was a Goan journalist of high calibre and has left a large vacuum in the local media. Virtually every bit of the large mass of church and religious literature printed in the Diocese and needed by over 150 churches and other religious institutions came out of his most uptodate printing press, New Age Printers, in Verna. His was a recognised brand name in the printing industry in the State.

During the Eucharistic celebration held on May 19 at the Varca Church, a preacher noted rightly that Fr Freddy resembled a fragrant rose, which radiates beauty and fragrance as long as it is in bloom, but soon the petals wither away and fall, and soon nothing is left of the once beautiful flower. Another preacher said: he is liked the symphony left unfinished by a celebrated composer which had to be finished by other composers. Fr Freddy had endeavoured to set the right tone for Goan society and the Konkani movement, but he did not live long enough to witness its success. He departed rather too early, leaving everyone shocked and saddened because death didn't come to him through severe illnesses he had overcome, but like a bolt from the blue, in the dead of the night, so far away from the place and the people he loved so dearly.

In his homily Archbishop Ferrao, who was the main celebrant, said that the church has lost a devoted priest, his colleagues miss a dear friend, his brothers and sisters have lost a priest brother, his parish has lost a good shepherd, Varca has lost an eminent son, the media fraternity has lost a fellow journalist and the Konkani movement a stalwart.

Fr Freddy J da Costa, who was laid to rest at the Varca cemetery, with thousands of mourners lining the funeral route around 6 pm, has left behind larger monuments of social significance than we humans can raise in his honour. Can any institution replicate the monthly magazine Gulab and sustain it consistently for a period of 22 years? The "Fulamcho Khuris" shrine at Bambolim will remind every passerby of the great Goan cleric whose admirable endeavours transcended the spiritual plane.

Few, who knew him well, can stop singing praises in honour of the virtuous priest, who has left us shellshocked. May his soul rest in peace as well as those of Felicio Cardozo and Franky, who accompanied him on the heavenly journey. The members of his staff vowed in the presence of his body that they will ensure that Gulab celebrates its silver jubilee. Yes. Fr Freddy flagged off so many good things, which different sections of Goans will now have to strive to complete.

Joel D'Souza

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