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Portuguese
built this oldest Church in the year 1568. The Church was
reconstructed in 1910. Its attractive design is in Roman
style. Situated near Hampankatta of Mangalore city, its
locality is very calm and cool.
History
Early Periods:
St. Thomas the Apostle of India kindled the light of faith
during the first century A.D. in the Southern Part of India.
The early Franciscan Missionaries later continued the Gospel
preached by him in Kanara in the year 1510. Befittingly
Mangalore is called "Rome of the East". Alphonso-de-Albuquerque
a Portuguese explorer conquered Goa and was its Viceroy
of the Indies from 1510-1515. This made it easy to Portuguese
King Immanuel to send missionaries to Kanara for evangelization
of Christianity. Albuquerque conquered this territory from
the Bijapur Sultan Ismael Adil Shah. Later in the year 1542
St. Francis Xavier a Spanish Jesuit arrived in Goa from
Portugal and propagated the true faith.
The
Portuguese under Diego de Silveira attacked Mangalore in
the year 1568. On January 5th 1568 the city was occupied
and Portuguese built a fort called the "Fort of St. Sebastian"
at the place where now stands the Deputy Commissioner's
office. The Portuguese also had trade links in Kanara and
Malabar and as such they built a factory for curing, storage
of spices and other condiments prior to shipment. Since
they felt the necessity of a church for their spiritual
welfare they built a church (Holy Rosary Church) referred
to as the "Factory Church" of Bolar. The Royal stone emblem
of the Portuguese king is lying at the entrance of the Cathedral
as insignia of their landing in 1568. The Cathedral now
stands in the same place where the Portuguese built their
first church after capturing Mangalore on 5th January 1568.
They opened three churches namely 1) Holy Rosary at Bolar
2) Our Lady of Mercy at Ullal 3) St. Francis Assisi at Farangipet.
In the year 1570 Fr. Vincent who was at the time the Provincial
of Jesuits in Goa sent a fresh batch of missionaries into
Kanara. The Archbishop of Goa exercised his ecclesiastic
jurisdiction over the coast. On December 3rd 1609 Pope Paul
V extended his jurisdiction along the coast as far as Dharmattam.
The Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle visited Mangalore
in 1623 and he mentioned about the existence of these 3
churches mentioned above. The Holy See appointed Thomas
De Castro a native of Divar in Goa Vicar Apostolic of Kanara
on 30th August 1675. He later died on 16th July 1684. The
venerable Fr. Joseph Vas played an important role in the
history of the Rosario Church in the year 1681. Archbishop
Brandao of Goa assigned him this task. Venerable Fr. Joseph
Vas repaired the existing Bolar Rosario Church, which was
known as the "Factory Church".
Age
of Agony:
The period from 1784 to 1799 forms a turbulent and sad page
in the history of the Christians in Kanara. On 30th January
1784 the British surrendered to Tippu Sultan's forces. Tippu
Sultan was enraged with the Christian community as he suspected
their fidelity, as his subjects and issued orders to his
Commanders to arrest all Christians in Kanara, confiscate
their lands and valuables and destroy their churches and
lead them as captives to Srirangapatnam. This catastrophe
took place on the fateful night of Ash Wednesday February
21st 1784. These cruel orders were carried out and several
thousands of Christians in his domain were lead as captives
to Srirangapatnam. Their fate was sad and gloomy and many
perished through starvation and fatigue on the way. The
survivors who reached Srirangapatnam were rounded up and
by torture forced to embrace Islam.
During
this period Tippu's forces desecrated and destroyed 26 out
of the 27 churches in Kanara and Rosario Church was one
of them. Thus began their long suffering and bitter lent
for 15 years to follow. Srirangapatnam was besieged and
fell to the British forces in 1799 commanded by Colonel
Arthur Wellesley, the future Duke of Wellington, who was
destined to defeat Napoleon Bonaparte at the battle of Waterloo.
Colonel Arthur Wellesley was the brother of The English
Governor-General of India, Richard Wellesley, Second Earl
of Morning ton. Thus ended the torture and captivity of
Christians.
Return
from Captivity:
After return from the captivity, in 1813 the help of various
sources rebuilt Rosario church. The British Government contributed
Rs.4,000/- towards the building of Rosario Church and Milagres
Church in the same place as they formerly stood before1784.
The new Milagres Church was built in the year 1811 and the
Rosario Church in the year 1813. The Rosario Church was
raised to the rank of a Cathedral on 16th April 1850.
Rev.
Fr. Urban Stein S.J. a German (1845-1888) was the first
Parish priest of the Cathedral. He introduced the order
of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation in the Cathedral in
the year 1888. Mother Nymppa Paullina Fernandez daughter
of John Francis Fernandez, deputy Collector, South Kanara
was the first superior. During this time it was decided
that those who would contribute Rs.200/- to Rs.500/- and
superintend the work of the Cathedral for one year should
be granted the honour of Principals or Founders.
On
12th May 1845 the Holy See appointed Bishop Bernardino of
St. Agnes O.C.D. a Carmelite, Pro-Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore.
He died at Rome on 13th March 1853. On 15th March 1853 the
Vicariate of Mangalore was separated from Verapoly and on
the same day Fr. Michel Anthony of St. Louis O.C.D Vicar
General of Bombay was appointed Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore.
Bishop Michel hailed from San Ramos, Italy. He was consecrated
Bishop of Bombay on 15th May 1853. Bishop Michel invited
the Christian brothers (known also as De-la-Salle Brothers)
who opened St. Mary's English School on the Cathedral grounds
in 1853. The sisters opened a school for girls on St. Ann's
grounds in March 1859 at the behest of the Bishop. In addition
the sister's managed a large orphanage. After some time
their community shifted to Cannanore in the year 1868 at
the invitation of Fr. Martello. Bishop Michel then founded
a congregation of active Carmelite Sisters in the year 1867.
These sisters commenced their work at St. Ann's school from
the time the sisters of St. Joseph left Mangalore. From
then onwards these educational institutions have been rendering
yeoman service to all the communities, irrespective of caste
or creed. The St. Mary's school started by the De-la-Salle
brothers is known as Rosario High School under the management
of Catholic Board of Education, Bishop's House, Mangalore,
which is a Registered Body.
The
Carmelites too have played a great role in the history of
Rosario Church. In the year 1870 the Holy See, asked Bishop
Michel Anthony to resign his office, which he did with admirable
humility. The Holy See appointed Bishop Mary Ephraim O.C.D.
Vicar Apostolic of Mangalore on 3rd January 1870. Bishop
Mary Ephraim arrived in Mangalore on 5th November 1870.
Bishop Marie Ephraim was Lucian Garrelon in the world, prior
to God's call. He was born in France in the year 1827. When
he was 14 he decided to become a priest. He was ordained
priest at the age of 23. He was received at Mangalore Port
by a large number of Catholics and brought by procession
to Rosario Cathedral where a Pontifical High Mass was celebrated
and the "Te Deum" was sung. At the Cathedral Bishop Michel
Anthony who left Mangalore for good in the year 1871 for
Quilon, where he died on 18th December 1878, received him.
Bishop Mary Ephraim had a short period as Vicar Apostolic
of Mangalore as he died on Maundy Thursday i.e. the 10th
April 1873. His mortal remains were buried in the Cathedral.
Later
on Most rev. Nicholas Maria Pagani S.J. was consecrated
Bishop of Mangalore on 25th October 1885. He had a brief
incumbency and died in Mangalore on 30th April 1895 and
is buried in the Cathedral.
On
2nd December 1895 Mgr. Abundius Cavadini S.J. succeeded
to the Holy See of Mangalore. He was consecrated on 28th
June 1896 at Bergamo, in Italy. He died on 26th March 1910
and on 17th August the same year Mgr. Paul Perini S.J. was
appointed his successor. He was the last Jesuit Bishop of
Mangalore. (The diocese of Mangalore was transferred to
the secular Clergy on 12th June 1923.)
New
Church Building:
In the year 1910 Rev. Fr. H.I. Busoni S.J. the then Parish
Priest demolished the old structure and commenced the work
on the large and beautiful church worthy of dignity of a
Cathedral. Br. Divo S.J. (St. Xavier's) Bombay Mission was
the master architect. Bishop Perini was consecrated here
on 4th December 1910 when the sanctuary alone had been completed.
This dome is a crowning work of architectural magnificence
in the diocese. Fr. Busoni erected a belfry and installed
4 sonorous bells from Italy. Bishop Perini S.J. then Administrative
Apostolic of the Diocese consecrated the main altar of the
Cathedral on 3rd April 1924. He died in Bangalore on 28th
June 1932 and interned at Calicut Cathedral on 30th June
1932.
First
Mangalorean Bishop:
On 28th February Fr. Valerian J. D'Souza was appointed as
first Mangalorean Bishop of Mangalore. In 1930 when in Rome
for his "Ad limina" visit he paid a visit to Ireland, where
he died on 14th August 1930. On 16th May 1931 Fr. Victor
Rosario Fernandez was appointed and consecrated Bishop of
Mangalore. He administered the Diocese as Bishop for 25
years. He was a man of prayer, strength of character and
missionary zeal. He died on 4th January 1955. Bishop Basil
Perris who died on 27th April 1958 succeeded him. He served
a brief period as Bishop of Mangalore. Then Fr. Raymond
D'Mello of Allahabad Diocese was appointed Bishop of Mangalore
on 5th February 1959. Subsequently on 20th April 1964 he
was transferred as Bishop of Allahabad. On 22nd March 1965
Fr. Basil D'Souza was appointed Bishop of Mangalore. This
period has seen the blossoming of many humanitarian institutions,
Educational institutions, and welfare schemes for the poor
and downtrodden in Diocese. Today this church is an official
church of the Bishop of South Kanara and called as Cathedral
Chair (Bishops Seat).
From
the year 1866 territories belonging to the Cathedral have
been bifurcated for administrative convenience. Last of
all on 1st June 1935 the new Parish of St. Rita of Cascia
was formed. The names of the Parish Priests who have served
as guardians of the Faith in the Cathedral are recorded
in the church chronicles.
All
the Parish Priests who were also Correspondents of the Rosario
High School have given their whole-hearted support and encouragement
to the school. They along with the Headmasters of the School
have been responsible for the spirit of dedicated service
to the Catholic community.
Other
Services of the Cathedral:
Rosario High School:
By the blessing of Lord Jesus and Mother of the Most Holy
Rosary this more than 100 years old Rosario School has always
had dedicated teachers and Headmasters. It is truly Alma
Mater of the school "Men's Sane In Corpora Sano" means a
sound mind in a healthy body befits this institution. As
we look at the schools academic achievements we can find
that the highest percentage secured in S.S.L.C Public examination
was 97% in 1963 and this lofty standard has been kept up
by the school ever since. The school has recently upgraded
to Junior college level (Plus two). This school is especially
for boys only, but due to amalgamation of other nearby schools
it has absorbed girls from those schools and will be retained
until that batch completes education in that school. There
are more than 1400 students in the school up to High school
standard. The school provides all opportunities for the
all round development of its students by introducing various
extra curricular activities such as music centre, gymnastic,
NCC and also full fledged computer education section.
St.
Vincent Paul Society:
This 75 year old an international standard service organization
specially meant for taking care and upliftment of poor of
community and the society. Dedicated social workers of this
society visits many poor and distressed people and help
them in all aspect so that the distressed people find solace
in their difficulties.
Miscellaneous:
ICYM a Catholic youth organization is also founded in order
to bring up the leadership and service qualities of the
catholic youths.
In 1999 a Rosario Cultural Hall was built for facilitating
cultural activities of the community and society.
Mass
(prayers) Activity:
Mass performance will be conducted during Sundays and a
weekday as follows:
Weekdays: Morning 6.30 in Konkani
Evening 5.30 in English
Sundays (Morning only): 6.00 in Konkani
7.00 in Malayalam
8.00 in Konkani
9.30 in English
On 7th October of each year Feast of Our Lady Rosary shall
be celebrated with great enthusiasm and glory.
Mass
Offerings:
Rs.100/- for Sunday Mass
Rs.75/- for Daily Mass
Rs.50/- for Any day any time Mass.
For Legacy Mass Rs.2000/- will be accepted on prior decree
of Bishop.
The interest earned on this sum shall be used for Mass,
prayer and any other kind of occasions.
How
to reach Rosario Church:
Since the Church is situated in Old port area and near State
Bank Bus stop of Hampankatta area it is very convenient
to reach by bus. New visitors can hire auto-rickshaws, which
may cost not more than Rs.15/- from Hampankatta area.
Postal
corresponding Address:
Parish Priest Rosario Cathedral,
Mangalore - 575001
Phone: 91-(0) 824-420942
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here to go to the main page of this section.
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