June 2007
ROSARIO CATHEDRAL
The
Church of the most Holy Rosary, Mangalore
Portuguese built this oldest Church in the year 1568. The Church
was reconstructed in 1910. Its attractive design is in Roman style. Situated
near Hampankatta of Mangalore city, its locality is very calm and cool.
History
Early Periods:
St. Thomas the Apostle of India kindled the light of faith during the
first century A.D. in the Southern Part of India. The early Franciscan
Missionaries later continued the Gospel preached by him in Kanara in the year
1510. Befittingly Mangalore is called "Rome of the East".
Alphonso-de-Albuquerque a Portuguese explorer conquered Goa and was its Viceroy
of the Indies from 1510-1515. This made it easy to Portuguese King Immanuel to
send missionaries to Kanara for evangelization of Christianity. Albuquerque
conquered this territory from the Bijapur Sultan Ismael Adil Shah. Later in the
year 1542 St. Francis Xavier a Spanish Jesuit arrived in Goa from Portugal and
propagated the true faith.
The Portuguese under Diego de Silveira attacked Mangalore in the
year 1568. On January 5th 1568 the city was occupied and Portuguese built a fort
called the "Fort of St. Sebastian" at the place where now stands the
Deputy Commissioner's office. The Portuguese also had trade links in Kanara and
Malabar and as such they built a factory for curing, storage of spices and other
condiments prior to shipment. Since they felt the necessity of a church for
their spiritual welfare they built a church (Holy Rosary Church) referred to as
the "Factory Church" of Bolar. The Royal stone emblem of the
Portuguese king is lying at the entrance of the Cathedral as insignia of their
landing in 1568. The Cathedral now stands in the same place where the Portuguese
built their first church after capturing Mangalore on 5th January 1568. They
opened three churches namely 1) Holy Rosary at Bolar 2) Our Lady of Mercy at
Ullal 3) St. Francis Assisi at Farangipet. In the year 1570 Fr. Vincent who was
at the time the Provincial of Jesuits in Goa sent a fresh batch of missionaries
into Kanara. The Archbishop of Goa exercised his ecclesiastic jurisdiction over
the coast. On December 3rd 1609 Pope Paul V extended his jurisdiction along the
coast as far as Dharmattam. The Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle visited
Mangalore in 1623 and he mentioned about the existence of these 3 churches
mentioned above. The Holy See appointed Thomas De Castro a native of Divar in
Goa Vicar Apostolic of Kanara on 30th August 1675. He later died on 16th July
1684. The venerable Fr. Joseph Vas played an important role in the history of
the Rosario Church in the year 1681. Archbishop Brandao of Goa assigned him this
task. Venerable Fr. Joseph Vas repaired the existing Bolar Rosario Church, which
was known as the "Factory Church".
Age of Agony:
The period from 1784 to 1799 forms a turbulent and sad page in the history of
the Christians in Kanara. On 30th January 1784 the British surrendered to Tippu
Sultan's forces. Tippu Sultan was enraged with the Christian community as he
suspected their fidelity, as his subjects and issued orders to his Commanders to
arrest all Christians in Kanara, confiscate their lands and valuables and
destroy their churches and lead them as captives to Srirangapatnam. This
catastrophe took place on the fateful night of Ash Wednesday February 21st 1784.
These cruel orders were carried out and several thousands of Christians in his
domain were lead as captives to Srirangapatnam. Their fate was sad and gloomy
and many perished through starvation and fatigue on the way. The survivors who
reached Srirangapatnam were rounded up and by torture forced to embrace Islam.
During this period Tippu's forces desecrated and destroyed 26
out of the 27 churches in Kanara and Rosario Church was one of them. Thus began
their long suffering and bitter lent for 15 years to follow. Srirangapatnam was
besieged and fell to the British forces in 1799 commanded by Colonel Arthur
Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, who was destined to defeat Napoleon
Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo. Colonel Arthur Wellesley was the brother of
The English Governor-General of India, Richard Wellesley, Second Earl of Morning
ton. Thus ended the torture and captivity of Christians.
Return from Captivity:
After return from the captivity, in 1813 the help of various sources rebuilt
Rosario church. The British Government contributed Rs.4,000/- towards the
building of Rosario Church and Milagres Church in the same place as they
formerly stood before1784. The new Milagres Church was built in the year 1811
and the Rosario Church in the year 1813. The Rosario Church was raised to the
rank of a Cathedral on 16th April 1850.
Rev. Fr. Urban Stein S.J. a German (1845-1888) was the first
Parish priest of the Cathedral. He introduced the order of Ursuline Franciscan
Congregation in the Cathedral in the year 1888. Mother Nymppa Paullina Fernandez
daughter of John Francis Fernandez, deputy Collector, South Kanara was the first
superior. During this time it was decided that those who would contribute
Rs.200/- to Rs.500/- and superintend the work of the Cathedral for one year
should be granted the honour of Principals or Founders.
On 12th May 1845 the Holy See appointed Bishop Bernardino of St.
Agnes O.C.D. a Carmelite, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore. He died at Rome on
13th March 1853. On 15th March 1853 the Vicariate of Mangalore was separated
from Verapoly and on the same day Fr. Michel Anthony of St. Louis O.C.D Vicar
General of Bombay was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore. Bishop Michel
hailed from San Ramos, Italy. He was consecrated Bishop of Bombay on 15th May
1853. Bishop Michel invited the Christian brothers (known also as De-la-Salle
Brothers) who opened St. Mary's English School on the Cathedral grounds in 1853.
The sisters opened a school for girls on St. Ann's grounds in March 1859 at the
behest of the Bishop. In addition the sister's managed a large orphanage. After
some time their community shifted to Cannanore in the year 1868 at the
invitation of Fr. Martello. Bishop Michel then founded a congregation of active
Carmelite Sisters in the year 1867. These sisters commenced their work at St.
Ann's school from the time the sisters of St. Joseph left Mangalore. From then
onwards these educational institutions have been rendering yeoman service to all
the communities, irrespective of caste or creed. The St. Mary's school started
by the De-la-Salle brothers is known as Rosario High School under the management
of Catholic Board of Education, Bishop's House, Mangalore, which is a Registered
Body.
The Carmelites too have played a great role in the history of
Rosario Church. In the year 1870 the Holy See, asked Bishop Michel Anthony to
resign his office, which he did with admirable humility. The Holy See appointed
Bishop Mary Ephraim O.C.D. Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore on 3rd January 1870.
Bishop Mary Ephraim arrived in Mangalore on 5th November 1870. Bishop Marie
Ephraim was Lucian Garrelon in the world, prior to God's call. He was born in
France in the year 1827. When he was 14 he decided to become a priest. He was
ordained priest at the age of 23. He was received at Mangalore Port by a large
number of Catholics and brought by procession to Rosario Cathedral where a
Pontifical High Mass was celebrated and the "Te Deum" was sung. At the
Cathedral Bishop Michel Anthony who left Mangalore for good in the year 1871 for
Quilon, where he died on 18th December 1878, received him. Bishop Mary Ephraim
had a short period as Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore as he died on Maundy Thursday
i.e. the 10th April 1873. His mortal remains were buried in the Cathedral.
Later on Most rev. Nicholas Maria Pagani S.J. was consecrated
Bishop of Mangalore on 25th October 1885. He had a brief incumbency and died in
Mangalore on 30th April 1895 and is buried in the Cathedral.
On 2nd December 1895 Mgr. Abundius Cavadini S.J. succeeded to
the Holy See of Mangalore. He was consecrated on 28th June 1896 at Bergamo, in
Italy. He died on 26th March 1910 and on 17th August the same year Mgr. Paul
Perini S.J. was appointed his successor. He was the last Jesuit Bishop of
Mangalore. (The diocese of Mangalore was transferred to the secular Clergy on
12th June 1923.)
New Church Building:
In the year 1910 Rev. Fr. H.I. Busoni S.J. the then Parish Priest demolished the
old structure and commenced the work on the large and beautiful church worthy of
dignity of a Cathedral. Br. Divo S.J. (St. Xavier's) Bombay Mission was the
master architect. Bishop Perini was consecrated here on 4th December 1910 when
the sanctuary alone had been completed. This dome is a crowning work of
architectural magnificence in the diocese. Fr. Busoni erected a belfry and
installed 4 sonorous bells from Italy. Bishop Perini S.J. then Administrative
Apostolic of the Diocese consecrated the main altar of the Cathedral on 3rd
April 1924. He died in Bangalore on 28th June 1932 and interned at Calicut
Cathedral on 30th June 1932.
First Mangalorean Bishop:
On 28th February Fr. Valerian J. D'Souza was appointed as first Mangalorean
Bishop of Mangalore. In 1930 when in Rome for his "Ad limina" visit he
paid a visit to Ireland, where he died on 14th August 1930. On 16th May 1931 Fr.
Victor Rosario Fernandez was appointed and consecrated Bishop of Mangalore. He
administered the Diocese as Bishop for 25 years. He was a man of prayer,
strength of character and missionary zeal. He died on 4th January 1955. Bishop
Basil Perris who died on 27th April 1958 succeeded him. He served a brief period
as Bishop of Mangalore. Then Fr. Raymond D'Mello of Allahabad Diocese was
appointed Bishop of Mangalore on 5th February 1959. Subsequently on 20th April
1964 he was transferred as Bishop of Allahabad. On 22nd March 1965 Fr. Basil
D'Souza was appointed Bishop of Mangalore. This period has seen the blossoming
of many humanitarian institutions, Educational institutions, and welfare schemes
for the poor and downtrodden in Diocese. Today this church is an official church
of the Bishop of South Kanara and called as Cathedral Chair (Bishops Seat).
From the year 1866 territories belonging to the Cathedral have
been bifurcated for administrative convenience. Last of all on 1st June 1935 the
new Parish of St. Rita of Cascia was formed. The names of the Parish Priests who
have served as guardians of the Faith in the Cathedral are recorded in the
church chronicles.
All the Parish Priests who were also Correspondents of the
Rosario High School have given their whole-hearted support and encouragement to
the school. They along with the Headmasters of the School have been responsible
for the spirit of dedicated service to the Catholic community.
Other Services of the Cathedral:
Rosario High School:
By the blessing of Lord Jesus and Mother of the Most Holy Rosary this more than
100 years old Rosario School has always had dedicated teachers and Headmasters.
It is truly Alma Mater of the school "Men's Sane In Corpora Sano"
means a sound mind in a healthy body befits this institution. As we look at the
schools academic achievements we can find that the highest percentage secured in
S.S.L.C Public examination was 97% in 1963 and this lofty standard has been kept
up by the school ever since. The school has recently upgraded to Junior college
level (Plus two). This school is especially for boys only, but due to
amalgamation of other nearby schools it has absorbed girls from those schools
and will be retained until that batch completes education in that school. There
are more than 1400 students in the school up to High school standard. The school
provides all opportunities for the all round development of its students by
introducing various extra curricular activities such as music centre, gymnastic,
NCC and also full fledged computer education section.
St. Vincent Paul Society:
This 75 year old an international standard service organization specially meant
for taking care and upliftment of poor of community and the society. Dedicated
social workers of this society visits many poor and distressed people and help
them in all aspect so that the distressed people find solace in their
difficulties.
Miscellaneous:
ICYM a Catholic youth organization is also founded in order to bring up the
leadership and service qualities of the catholic youths.
In 1999 a Rosario Cultural Hall was built for facilitating cultural activities
of the community and society.
For a general background of the
Mangalore Diocese, click
here
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