Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 12: Frad Saib and Parish Day of Holy Cross Church, Cordel, was celebrated with great solemnity on December 11.

The thanksgiving Holy Eucharist was presided over by Fr Paul Melwyn D’Souza. The concelebrated Mass began at 5.30 pm in which the main celebrant preached a meaningful homily on Frad Saib and Eucharist. The Mass was followed by an impressive Eucharistic procession, which ended with Benediction. During the mass and procession, hymns were sung both in Konkani, Kannada, Hindi and Latin by the choir which was appreciated by all. Parish priest Fr Victor Machado rendered the vote of thanks and honoured the donors.

Fr Alexander Dubois, French friar who is regarded by native Mangaloreans as ‘Frad Saib’ of Franco Cordel, locally known as Kulshekar and by others as ‘Kullerda Ajjer’ laid the foundation stone of the then Holy Cross Church, Cordel on September 14, 1873. He was a devout catholic priest who inspired several people to embrace Christianity owing to his personal charisma, in and around the city. His mausoleum at the significant place around the church complex being flocked by people of all faiths while few take away the pinches of soil from his grave who believe that it has miraculous powers to heal diseases. The locals have legendary tales on ‘Frad Saib’ who used to visit their household in the evenings, in order to recite family rosary. Moreover, he has spread the special devotion to ‘Sacred Heart of Jesus’ among the natives.

‘Frad Saib’ had laid the foundation stone for Holy Cross Church, Cordel when he was serving as the parish priest at Milagres Church, located in heart of the town. The symbolic procession of few construction materials was held from Milagres to Cordel Church. However, on December 11, a similar procession took place from Milagres to Cordel with a difference. It was ‘Frad Saib's’ funeral procession. On that day, his mortal remains were deposited in the sanctuary close to the in-completed church. Since then, his venerated grave became a permanent feature of Cordel. Even today after 140 years of his death, December 11 is being observed as `Frad Saib’s Day'.

A large number of parishioners including several priests and nuns from across the city and suburbs attended the occasion to be blessed by ‘Frad Saib’s’ miraculous powers.