Three Saint founders of religious congregations – whose feasts we celebrate on three consecutive days – have a presence in Goa:
Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491–1556) was a Basque priest, who co-founded (with St Francis Xavier and others) the Society of Jesus – Societatis Jesu, known as the Jesuits (S.J.), an important force during the time of the Counter-Reformation. Their motto: Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam: For the Greater Glory of God. The focus of their work is the missions and education. St Ignatius was a talented spiritual director, who authored The Spiritual Exercises. He is a foremost patron saint of soldiers and of spiritual retreats. Feast day: 31 July. Main house in Goa: Jesuit House, D. R. de Souza Road, Garcia de Orta Garden, Panjim.
Saint Alphonsus de Liguori (1696–1787) was an Italian bishop, spiritual writer, composer, musician, artist, poet, lawyer, scholastic philosopher and theologian. He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, known as the Redemptorists – Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris (CSsR). Their motto: Copiosa apud eum redemptio: With Him there is plentiful redemption. Their charism is to follow Jesus Christ by preaching the Word of God, especially to the poor and the abandoned, in a simple language and expressing abundant care. The founder’s most famous works are The Glories of Mary and The Way of the Cross. He is a Doctor of the Church and patron saint of confessors. Feast day: 1 August. Main house in Goa: 876, Next to JMJ Hospital, Alto de Porvorim.
Saint Peter Julian Eymard (1811–1868), a French priest, founded two religious institutes: the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament for men and the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament for women – Societas Sanctissimi Sacramenti (SSS). Their motto: Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum: Thy Eucharistic Kingdom Come. So, their focus is to live the mystery of the Eucharist fully and to make known its meaning. The founder was named the ‘Apostle of the Eucharist’. Feast day: 2 August. Main house in Goa: 19, Rego Bhag Colony, Alto de Santa Cruz, Goa.
I knew of Ignatius Loyola who co-founded the SJ but didn’t know that Alphonsus de Luguori was the founder of the Redemptorists and had not known about Peter Julian Eymard at all. Remarkable that you discovered that their feast days were on consecutive days! Thanks Oscar.