Message 2024

A true story is being told of Jim Johnson who was given the job of saving a failing hotel. Others had tried, but all had failed. Jim decided to try something different. He did all that was needed, from a materialistic and economic point of view, to make it possible for the hotel to function- above all he added one extra ingredient. Every night he drove to a hill overlooking the hotel and there he prayed for one hour for God’s blessing on his work in the hotel. He prayed for the staff and for the guests. He put the whole project in the hands of God. He brought to God in prayer every decision he had to make. He talked to God about every aspect of running the hotel. In time, he came to think of God as the Manager of the hotel and he was just there to do his bidding.
Very soon the situation at the hotel began to improve. There was a much more personal investment of time and interest on the part of the staff. The atmosphere became much more welcoming. The guests were impressed, and this spread by word of mouth and soon the hotel was doing a thriving business. This is all because one man brought the situation to God, day after day.

This is exactly what Our Founder Msgr. Herculano did in order to spread the ‘spark’ of his holiness. He stood on the solid rock of his child like trust in the Divine. He relied fully on the power of Prayer to move against the tide of the standards of the prevailing society and always remained in tune with the plan of God while he carried out his plan. That’s the reason he encouraged his Sisters to pray with a specific purpose and he would regularly write to them, “Whatever you do, do to please God.” He was mindful that if we have been saved by grace, we need to live in that same grace each day. He demonstrated peace and joy in all his undertakings and often inspired the Sisters, ‘to live joyfully in the Lord”

He fixed his eyes on his heavenly father and trusted in the Divine providence in his entire endeavour and never lacked anything, not just for himself but to those whom he desired to offer his best. He was often found at his knees talking loudly to the Lord as if he was in a fierce colloquy with an intimate friend. Awestruck by his steadfast Spirituality Msgr. Catao writes, ‘His life was based in a solid piety. It was spiritually enchanting to see him, after a prolonged preparation on his knees, celebrating the holy Eucharist with much love and dedication. During the Eucharistic Celebration he was very often lost in ecstasy. His homilies, action-filled, were both a pleasure to hear as well as a learning experience and this is why the Prelates used to put him in charge of preaching not only to the faithful, but also to the aspirants to the priesthood and to the priests.

Claudio D’Silva narrates that, ‘his love of the Holy Eucharist was impregnated with a burning desire to share the sufferings of our Redeemer. Rapt in ecstasy of love he would often speak with devotion and confidence to Our Lady loudly addressing her “minha Mãe”’. His devotion to Our Lady was childlike. Claudio D’silva reminisces that the closing years of his life were edifying. Repeating incessantly his favourite prayers and ejaculations, he endured his ailment patiently. He would remain for hours kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament in the Convent Chapel engrossed in intimate colloquy with Jesus.

Despite his positions of high ranks in the Church he preferred to live humbly and simply to the extent he refused to wear the costumes of Msgr. and yet he radiated the presence of God in his life. His only longing to glorify God, win people to Christ, and living only for him, all for him and always for him. The spirit that kept vibrating on sound footing emerged in him the novel ideas in consonant to the Will of God. Msgr. Herculano resisted the temptation to rely on his own abilities and looked heavenward to see prophetically ahead and around the next bend in the road. Rooted in Christ through his steadfast faith, he was able to deal wisely with the realities of the world and the people around. Definitely, he might have experienced the feeling of inadequacy and being ill equipped. But nothing deterred his spirit. The fire for God’s love burning in his heart, kept him moving ahead despite the huddles he faced time and again. He built his edifice on the Edifice of Christ. ‘God is our provider and he will provide’ was often uttered from his mouth.

Whether to found the triple Institutions viz. St. Alex Orphanage, Little Flower of Jesus School or the Congregation of Handmaids of Christ or any other good works, he sought the unfailing guidance and protection of God and the powerful intercession of the Saint Alex. Dr. E. De Souza writes in Konkani the assuring words saying, ‘Hem voddlem cam jem Mons. Herculanan kelem, dista maca Devan nirmilelem ani Doni Deu tem aplea hatantulem kednanch soddcho nam.’ (This magnificent ventures accomplished by Herculano strongly appears to me was destined by God and God will never allow it to abandon from his hands.) His heart had no rest until he found himself accomplishing what he was ordained to accomplish, be it in Daman or Bombay or Calangute or even as a Vicar General in Belgaum. On his knees, he emerged the best version of himself in order to reach out more and more effectively to the poor and the needy particularly the children and women in distress.
While his establishments were still in the nascent stage when he had to respond to the Master’s call coming through Ecclesiastical Authorities, to accept the appointment as the Vicar General in Belgaum, he did not give a second thought. ‘What will happen to my institutions?’ ‘Who will suckle them?’ ‘They are just initiated’. Trusting in the power of Divinity, he moved on to where God was calling him. The shaft of light that Herculano lit through his God oriented plans, seem to have been apparently extinguishing its desirable glamour. The Lord who inspired him to initiate the 3 big projects seems to not care for. But God’s ways are surely not our ways. Msgr. Herculano did not allow himself to be bogged down by apparent failures. He did not care for what was tempting him to think contrary of God’s ways. Paul words might have resonated into his ears. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28. He trusted in God’s unfailing results.

Through his letters and his constant visits to the Sisters and his Orphans, he nurtured the seed. And his triplet institutions flourished. He allowed his dream which was larger than himself come true leaving behind a huge legacy. The small seed that he had sown is now growing into a big tree, branching out steadily in Goa and beyond.

We his Sisters hold our holy Founder dear to our hearts and take pride in his legacy. We try to ignite ourselves with the fire of his deep spirituality which found expression in his love for the least and the lost. Msgr. Herculano has shown us that all things are possible to him who trusts in the Lord. Herculano allowed God’s Grace enter into his life with stunning power in order to bring out what was near to impossible.

References:
• News on A VIDA (Traços Biográficos) by Fr. F.X.G. Catao 26th March, 1951 & 30th March 1951
• V IXTT 21st February 1948 Discurso by Dr. E. De Souza