Naravi – a tiny beautiful village is nestled in the panoramic landscape of the Western Ghats, about 70 km from Mangaluru. Surrounded by the ever green foliage, it possesses all the requisites of a dreamer’s paradise. A calm and cool climate pervades the atmosphere and beckons the city dwellers to seclusion from the bustle of city life.
A chapel dedicated to St Antony was built in Naravi in 1870 which was served from Belthangady parish.
The mission work at Naravi was started by Professor of St Aloysius College, a native of Switzerland Rev Fr Faustine Corti in 1905 and he served here from 1905-1926. Being a zealous priest though of a great Caliber, he worked strenuously at naravi for 21 years.
Soon after his arrival at Naravi, Fr Corti started to work among the Dalits and poor people.
One of the first things Fr Corti did upon his arrival at Naravi was to erect a large wooden cross measuring about seven meters high, on a hill, now known as ‘Kurusugudde’ (Hill Cross), where the present convent of the Sisters of Charity exists. During his 21 years of thankless service at Naravi, he worked strenuously for the poor and people fondly called him the Living God as well as “Guru of Harijans”. For a long period, Fr Corti used a horse named ‘Kempi’ for his travelling. Quite interestingly, it is said that Kempi saved Fr Corti from dangers on several occasions.
Though he lived in Naravi, he served the people of the surrounding regions like Moodbidri, Peradi, Shirthady, Alangar, Arva, Badyar, Venor, Madanthyar, Ujire and Nellikar among other places. Interestingly, most of the places have their own parishes now.
When a large number of Dalits suffered from smallpox, Fr Corti extended all his help, lived with them in their huts and treated them with care against all odds.
The British government which recognised the service of Fr Corti, awarded him with the ‘Kaisar-E-Hind’ title in 1918. It is during the same period Fr Corti decided to build a church in the vicinity.
When he realised that he needed money to realise his dreams, he returned to Switzerland to collect money for the church building in 1920. Due to his tireless efforts, he became ill and passed away at a hospital in Mangalore on October 9, 1926. His mortal remains were buried at Jeppu cemetery.
Naravi has seen astounding growth during its almost 110 years of history. It is because of the Patron “St Antony of Padua”. Through his inspiration and intercession, many priests and religious have toiled themselves for the development of this place and people.
Naravi Orphanage for Children (‘Naravi Ashram’) :
It was started by Late Rev. Fr Jacob B. Alvares in 1946 with 12 poor children. Today this orphanage is extended, catering the educational needs of many poor children of distant corners of Karnataka irrespective of caste and creed. Thousands of children who studied here have flourished in the society and at present there are 280 children studying in this orphanage. It has 69 years of history.
Educational Institutions :
The educational institutions at Naravi are a platform for hundreds of students for their future life.
Fifty years ago if you want to continue your High School studies, one has to cover 25 kms. of distance. At this juncture, the then Parish Priest Rev. Fr Paul Fernandes thought of starting a High School. At his leadership in 1966 it was actualised. The Naravi High School was inaugurated on 15th June 1966 by Most Rev Dr Basil Salvadore D’Souza, the then Bishop of Mangalore. On 19-01-1967, Cardinal Valerian Gracias and the then Bishop Basil S D’Souza laid the foundation stone for the school building. The whole project was entrusted to the wonder worker – St Antony the Patron Saint of the Parish. He really came to their rescue, through the generous people of the locality and outsiders. As a result on 20.02.1969, a beautiful and multi purpose High School building was inaugurated. A vast play ground at one side of the High School and green scenery at the other side adds colour to the building and hence students are attracted for their studies.
The first Headmistress was Smt. Meriam Lewis, a noble lady famous for moulding the hearts & minds of young. Thirty one students answered the S.S.L.C exam in the first batch and they scored 93.5% result. As the years passed by, the number of the students increased. Rev. Fr Paul Fernandes went on transfer and his post was taken up by Rev. Fr Thomas D’Souza - a dynamic person, filled with the love of Christ. On 31-01-1974 the school got the permanent Recognition from the Government. The Dedicative band of Staff and the cooperation from the student enabled them to secure good results in academic as well as in co-curricular activities. The enthusiast Parish Priests worked as Correspondents of the High School in different times. Late Rev. Fr Paul Fernandes, Rev. Late Fr Thomas D’Souza, Rev. Fr Valerian Pinto, Rev. Fr Rosario Fernandes, Rev. Fr Francis Cornalio, Rev. Fr Stany Rodrigues, Rev. Fr Peter Fernandes visualized the greater heights and fresh avenues that the Institution would occupy in the years to come.
Along with the Correspondent the following Headmistress rendered their valuable services as given below.
Sr Olympia Cutinha ( 1967- 69, 1988 – 91)
Sr Giesella Fernandes ( 1969 – 73)
Sr Lillia Pinto (1973 – 78)
Sr Laura ( 1978 – 83)
Sr Gracy D’Silva ( 1983 – 88)
Sr Electa Pinto ( 1991 – 95)
Sr Mable Goaves ( 1995 – 2000)
Sr Merlin Vas ( 2000 – 02)
Sr Metilda Pinto ( 2002 – 06)
Sr Mary D’Souza ( 2008 – 12)
Sr Asha Helen Pereira (from 2012 onwards)
In 1991 – 92 the High School celebrated its Silver Jubilee under the dynamic leadership of Rev. Fr Rosario Fernandes. To make this great event a stage was put up and on 21-12-1992 it was inaugurated.
Golden jubilee celebration of Naravi High School
Naravi high school celebrated its golden jubilee on 4th December 2015. Most Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore Diocese presided over the programme.
Chief guests Cap. Ganesh Karnik, CBE Secretary Fr Gerald D’Souza, Provincial Sr Matilda Monteiro, Fr Kiran Pinto - H M St Paul English Medium School, Sr Gracia - Superior, Lidwin Lobo – H M Naravi Church High School, Sr Mary Rodrigues - H M St Paul Hr. Pry School, Sr Gracy - H M Pre Primary school and others were present.
School Correspondent Fr Louis Cutinha welcomed, Fr Arun Lobo, Principal thanked. The Ex-correspondents, Ex- head mistresses, Ex staff members and donors were honoured on the occasion.
Other Educational Institutions:
1. St Antony College of Commerce
2. St Antony PU College
4. St Paul’s Hr Pry Eng Med School
5. St Paul’s Hr Pry School
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr Faustine Corti sj (1905-1926)
- Fr. A. Jiaro (1918 - 1926 as assistant , from 1926 - 1928 as parish priest)
- Fr. Angelo Gaviraghi sj (1928 - 1937)
- Fr. P. Pinto (1937 - 1940)
- Fr Jacob B. Alvares (1940 - 1953)
- Fr Paul F. Fernandes (1953 - )
- Fr Thomas D’Souza
- Fr Valerian Pinto (1979 - 1987)
- Fr Rosario Fernandes (1987- 1994)
- Fr Francis Cornelio (1994 - 2001)
- Fr Stany Rodrigues
- Fr Peter Fernandes (2008 - 2010)
- Fr Louis Cutinha (2010 - 2017)
- Fr Simon D'Souza (2017 - 2023)
- Fr Valerian Fernandes (from 2023 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from stantonynaravi.com
Last updated in Dec 2023.
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