Rev. Fr. Theodore Pereira called to the Heavenly Reward
“Well done good and faithful servant…”
Many Goans migrated to Mumbai (Bombay) in the early 60s for better prospects. Many others made frequent visits to the land of opportunities those days. Dominic and Maria from Porvorim were no different. They too had been to Mumbai where they collaborated with God’s plan to welcome in this world their little angel Gustav Pereira on 26th October 1933. God’s giftgrew in stature steadily and solidly in Mumbai but his heart was beating for Goa. He got himself enrolled in St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim in 1948. As a young school lad he was enamored by the brownhabbit and the long flowing beard of the Monte Capuchins. He was hooked. He went home and told his parents “I want to be a Capuchin”. After finishing his high school he joined the Capuchins. He was sent to Monte Mariano Friary (Farangipet) in Mangalore as a novice where he took his simple vows in 1952 and took the name of Theodore.
His formators finding him fit for studies and for capuchin life sent him for his philosophical studies to St. Anthony’s Friary in Quilon where he stayed till 1956. From there he was promoted for his theological studies to St. Joseph’s Friary in the hill station ofKotagiri (Next to Ooty). Being a serious and dedicated student he passed his seminary training with excellence. He was ordained a priest in 1959 a time when the universal Church was preparing for the historical and memorable Second Vatican Council. Even after ordination he loved to serve the people of Kotagiri with his genius in music for which he is remembered by the local people even today. His contribution to music inKotagiri will be remembered for a very long time.
The Goemchi xith-koddi invited him to Goa in 1961 where he was placed in his alma mater, St. Anthony’s High School, Monte de Guirim as a school teacher, chaplain and assistant Boarding Director. At that time the boarding had nearly 700 boys and the school was at its pinnacle especially in sports. His heart was divided between Goa and Kotagiri. He was wanted and needed in both the places. This time kotagiri was the winner. He went back there in 1963 as a professor of theology, liturgy and music. After three years of nonstop teaching his superiors decided to send him for higher studies in liturgy and music. In 1966 he marched to the eternal city of Rome. Overcoming the racist attitude of the westerners those days he did his masters in music and liturgy. Br. Theodore came back in 1972 as Doctor Pereira. This time again it was Kotagiri that captured his attention. He went there as a well qualified professor of Liturgy and music.
The one big Capuchin province was now divided. Fr. Theodore was posted in Deena Seva Ashram Bangalore in 1981 as a prefect of formation and Lector. He was a man of prayer and duty which he did extremely well till 1984. He then found himself once again in Goa serving the various capuchin houses in Goa. He has lived most of his life in Alverno Friary Guirim and some years inNavelim and Cuncolim. He served the Arch Diocese of Goa as an Episcopal vicar for the religious for a couple of years. He represented various commissions on liturgy and music both nationally and internationally. He worked very hard in Goa to promote vocations for the Capuchin order. He went about with his camera making slides for his talks, with his violin conducting choirs, with his pen writing books, with saplings planting trees. He had great thirst for learning and for finesse of things. A man well educated who believed in quality of work and purity of thought. His contribution to St. Anthony Capuchin Province of Goa is immense. Thanks to him today Goa is a Province, our documents of various houses in order, many youngsters entered the order.
Last few years Fr. Theodore was not keeping too well. His lifelong enemies were his varicose veins and diabetes. At the end his body became so ‘sweet’ that it had to leave this earth. He is now buried in the new Cemetery of the Province in Alverno Friary.
Adeus Brother! May God give you the reward youdeserve.
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