The First Indigenous Congregation

HANDMAIDS OF CHRIST
-The First Indigenous Congregation
Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves, the Founder of the Congregation of Handmaids of Christ, a holy priest with an indomitable courage and deep trust in God was seized with an ardent desire to reach out to the poor and the despised, while he was the Parish Priest at St. Alex Church way back in the early1930s.

The Parishioners of Calangute in those days found him casting his net into the deep to chase his cherished dream of reaching out to the marginalised of the coastal belt of the Calangute village. It was his zeal and eagerness to serve those least and the last, which compelled him as a good shepherd, to found the triple Institutions viz. St. Alex Orphanage in 1930, Little Flower of Jesus School in 1931 and the first indigenous Congregation called Irmãs de Sto. Aleixo (Sisters of St. Alex) with its Statutes being approved on 19th September, 1934, which is the Foundation date of the Congregation.

Providentially, he found a wingless angel in the person of Conceição Rodrigues, a mature and zealous Parishioner who readily joined hands and instinctively volunteered to shoulder the responsibility of young ones who were entrusted to her care. With her unlimited zeal with prior experience of being an ex- Franciscan Sister in Bombay and the cooperation of few others, the Founder started an Orphanage at Santos house, Gauravaddo in 1930.

His acquaintances, experiences and his concerns for the poor and the needy, had previously urged him to found a school for the Goans settled in Sonapur, Bombay in 1924. Presently, the same school is being managed by the Trust. Analogous to what is dear to his heart, he started a school in 1931 in Matty’s House at Calangute across the road from the Church, to educate the village children who otherwise spent their childhood and youth either helping their parents in mending fishing nets or wasting their time at the sea shore, sometimes even engaging in lose living. The school is presently flourishing at the present location in Calangute with its Primary wing being shifted to Gauravaddo, Calangute.

As Professor at Daman Seminary and Spiritual Director for the Seminarians prior to his transfer to Goa, he had acquired vast knowledge and deep experiences of Religious life even though he was a diocesan Priest. Undeterred by the hardships and undaunted  of the socio political and religious milieu, he simultaneously began a lay Apostolate of the Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi for Women who showed willingness to live a detached and communitarian life at the service of the less fortunate ones. 

The esteemed responsibilities of the Diocese he held with multi-faceted tasks such as Vicar Forane of North Goa, Judge as well as presiding over Zonal Circles, did not deter him from showing special predilection to his triple institutions namely St. Alex Orphanage, Little Flower School and Third Order of St. Francis of Assisi. God’s ways are unique. Within two years, on 27th Dec 1932, Fr. Herculano was appointed as Vicar General of Ghats at Belgaum, which he accepted with total submission to God’s will.

Undoubtedly, at this juncture he must have found himself at the crossroads, where his faith, trust and predilection were put to test. Leaving these blooming Institutions, under the care of seemingly inexperienced people was apparently a predicament. He travelled to Goa often and wrote letters in Portuguese until 1945 to maintain close contacts and offer directions to those put in charge of the nascent institutions. The Founder’s humanitarian work was recognised by the Holy See by conferring on him the title Papal Chamberlain. The God whom he consistently trusted never failed and worked everything good for Him and for his triple Intuitions which are presently well grounded even long after his earthly journey since 1950.
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Alex, founded in the treasured village of Calangute, and is now known as Congregation of Handmaids of Christ, is spreading far and wide, following the vision of the Founder Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves and reaching out in compassion and love to those in need, particularly women and children. Presently, the Congregation has 33 communities of which 21 are in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman with Generalate at Mother House (St. Alex Convent), Calangute, Goa and 11 communities scattered in other states of India like, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Assam.
Undeniably, the people of Calangute have been always supportive of the noble work that Msgr. Herculano had started way back in1930s and still continue to be faithful to their generosity. The exchange of benefits shared is of great paybacks. Even though Msgr. Herculano Gonsalves was buried in Calangute Cemetry, his Mortal Remains are preserved in the Monument sited in the beautiful garden of St. Alex Convent, Calangute. Paying a homage to this holy man at his Monument will surely offer dividend blessings to individuals as well as to families in Calangute and beyond. May the holy man who laboured selflessly without worldly pomp and glory, be ironically made known to the world for the greater glory of God. We, the Handmaids of Christ, look forward that this will once again become a joint venture for us, Handmaids and the people of Goa, beginning with Parishioners of Calangute.
Can you be part of this sacred project? All we need is that you visit this Monument where the bones of the holy priest are preserved and pray devoutly and earnestly for your intentions. Many people have already been receiving favours through him. He had powerful connections with God while he tread this earthly journey. Surely he has built stronger connections now in heaven. Will he not intercede for you and me? The Arraadi hillock awaits for you to step up and enter the stunning garden of St. Alex Convent, enjoy the serene ambience, empty your afflictions and lighten your hearts at the monument and experience the wonders God can work in your life to be proclaimed in written words. Wish you safe journey through Boa Viagem to the holy hillock of St. Alex Convent.
Handmaids of Christ
St. Alex Convent
Calangute, Bardez, Goa

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