Introduction :
Fajir, a place amongst the greenery is situated near Mangalore University, Konaje, 22 km from Mangalore city. The Church dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy here has a long history of 175 years. Before it became an independent parish in 1841, it was a part of Panir Church. During the course of history three Churches have emerged from this parish and thus this parish has become a mother Church for Ammembal, Mudipu and Elliarpadav Parishes. In 1991 this parish celebrated its 150 years Jubilee.
History :
Once Fajir parish was a part of Ullal (Panir) parish. Fajir church was built at the time of the Padroado controversy in about 1838. In 1841 parishioners revolted against the jurisdiction of Verapoly and erected a pandal at Fajir for religious services.
Fajir became an independent parish under the Patriarch of Goa. In 1867, Fr Anthony Coelho became the first parish priest. The construction of the church was begun in 1867 and completed in 1882. Fr Cherubim Cossessao Fernandes constructed the dome of the first church.
In 1886 Fajir came under Mangalore diocese. Fr Joseph Menezes renewed a portion of the church in 1909. Fr Francis S. D’Souza built a chapel at Ammembal in around 1911. Fr Salvadore C.A. Rodrigues began the construction of a chapel at Mudipu Holy Hill, but could not complete it. In 1955, a portico to the church was built during the time of Fr Piadade N. Pinto.
Fr Rosario Fernandes built the new presbytery which was blessed on May 14, 1963 by the Vicar General Msgr W.A. Lewis and the church was blessed on December 7, 1967.
Fr Gregory Serrao, the 24th parish priest of Fajir, constructed the belfry and Fr Victor Gerald D’Souza, the church portico.
Fr Joseph Menezes began St Joseph’s Primary School in 1904 and Fr Gregory D’Souza built the extension to the school.
Inauguration of new church :
The blessing and inauguration of newly-built Our Lady of Mercy Church, Fajir was held on December 15, 2014 during the tenure of parish priest Fr Stany Pereira. Mangalore Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza blessed and celebrated the solemn Eucharist at the newly-built church. The Bishop also blessed the newly-built presbytery, belfry and Church hall on this occasion.
Parish Priests who have served in the Parish :
- Fr Anthony Coelho (1867)
- Fr Cherubim Cossessao Fernandes
- Fr Joseph Menezes
- Fr Francis S. D’Souza
- Fr Gregory D’Souza
- Fr Salvadore C.A. Rodrigues
- Fr Piadade N. Pinto
- Fr Rosario Fernandes
- Fr Norbert Lobo (1987 - 1988)
- Fr Gregory Serrao (1988 - 1993)
- Fr Victor Gerald D’Souza (1993 - 2000)
- Fr Paul Pinto (2007 - 2008)
- Fr. Stany Pereira (2008 - 2015)
- Fr. Valerian Pinto (2015 - 2018)
- Fr. Sunil Joseph Veigas (2018 - 2021)
- Fr. Anil Joel D’Souza (from 2021 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from dioceseofmangalore.com
Last updated in Dec 2021.
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