THIS week would be an important one for the Goans. It would focus on two separate events taking place at two different but closely located historical locations which had once seen glory as capitals of Goa, (Old Goa and Pilar-Goa Velha). These are celebrating anniversaries of two different Roman Catholic personalities belonging to two different periods of history. The first event is the 450th death anniversary of the famous Spanish missionary, Francisco de Jasso E Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus (SOJ) who breathed his last on the remote island of Sanchiare near Canton, China on December 3, 1552. The world today knows this crusading missionary personality as Saint Francis Xavier (SFX). The Goans, including the non-Christian population calls him Goencho Saib with genuine respect and reverence.

The very presence of the saint’s body preserved in what could be one of the world’s most valued and artistically rich sarcophagus in Bom Jesus Basilica, has made Goa a powerful spiritual magnet to attract pilgrims from all over the world. The name and spiritual fame of SFX is a free advertisement for boosting Goa’s heritage and cultural tourism. We have to acknowledge that the critics of SFX have written very bitterly about his role in introducing the notorious institution of the inquisition in Goa and what they consider as the saint’s fanatic religious fervor in 16th century. There are many others who have lauded his simple life, hard routine, deep faith, missionary fervor, intelligence and social service.

With his Spanish roots, French education and Portuguese patronage, SFX viewed the pagan masses in Asia from the prejudiced and clouded Eurocentric western prism of 16th century notions of Christianity. This was a mistake which his followers like Father Thomas Stephans - the composer of the 10692 verses long classical epic, Christapurana of 1616 attempted to correct partially by identifying the spiritual and cultural needs of the locals. Whatever might be the historical facts, these are of only limited academic importance today because SFX has influenced generations of Goans from all the communities and castes. No vicious and communal tirade against his name is ever going to change this social and cultural reality. SFX has established a powerful spiritual command on the psyche of the Goans in India and abroad. That is why non-Christians also flock in thousands to Old Goa to make prayers and offerings.

The saint’s name has been associated with numerous institutions of SOJ which have spawned intellectuals and leaders who have contributed immensely to build modern India. On the day of the feast tomorrow, Old Goa would regain its’ former glory with lakhs of pilgrims drawn by the spiritual glamour of SFX. It would be a mini-version of Prayag’s Kumbhmela. But with a difference.

Seven kilometres away from the sarcophagus of SFX lies the seminary of Pilar, on a majestic hill which was once the cultural citadel of the 11th century capital of Goa Kadambas. The ancient city of Govapuri or Gopakpattana. The seminary is celebrating the birth centenary of the “father/dean/patriarch of the Indian Christian art”, Angelo da Fonseca, an illustrated son of Santo Estevam born on December 6, 1902. Angelo is to Indian Christian art what Mother Teresa was to Christian charitable work. He was a genius par excellence. He was a multimedia artist and used water colours, murals, oil, woodwork and slate to express his artistic vision of Christianity following the neo-Bengali school of Abanindranath Tagore, Haldar and Nandlal Bose.

Appropriately titled The Genius of Angelo da Fonseca, an exhibition of his work is on display in the beautiful and tranquil chapel of the seminary since November 10. This is an exhibition not to be missed by Goans. Having visited it on the inaugural day, I feel it would be a good curative dose for the westernised Christians and non-Christians, than the simple Roman Catholics because it would open their eyes to the true world of pristine Christianity. The exhibition would conclude on December 8. The Pilar theological college publishes a magazine called Euntes Docete which has brought out a special issue (volume 7) edited by the rector, Rev Dr Seby Mascarenhas. It is a collector’s item for students of art and history with some colour prints of Angelo’s work.

An excellent biographical sketch by Fr Cosme da Costa on the life and work of Angelo da Fonseca enlightens us about this great personality. Angelo was a born artist. The creative impulse propelled him to Dr Abanindranath Tagore in Kolkata in 1927. He worked for six months under Tagore and then spent four months under Haldar and Nandlal Bose at Shantiniketan. Angelo’s work displayed in the Pilar exhibition leaves no doubt about his successful efforts to Indianise and indigenise the Christian spiritualism. Perhaps, the same impact was felt in 1934 when he displayed his paintings at Kolkata. His art has been compared to the frescoes of Ajanta. But there is a difference. Angelo blends his profoundly artistic vision with the classical Christian spiritual symbolism. His depiction of the holy family spellbinds you. Jesus appears as an Indian sage. Mary as a suffering Indian mother.

At Santo Estevam, to which Angelo returned in 1934, he used local clay colours. Under colonial Goa, Angelo’s work was not appreciated. He shifted to Pune and settled there at Seva Sangh Ashram where most of his works were produced. Even a Hindutva champion like Veer Savarkar was moved by Angelo’s creativity and had gifted him a silver snuff box. In his lifetime, Angelo had over 1000 water colours, 50 oils besides stained glass windows and grills. The three stained backdrop panels at Pilar seminary chapel are his creations. Angelo’s exhibitions had been held at Rome, Edinburgh, Cork, Lisbon, Dublin, London, Madrid and thanks to the eminent Jesuit historian Fr Henry Heras, the world came to appreciate Angelo’s genius.

So, We would find at Pilar a display on Christianity which SFX could not project in Jesus’s own continent of birth - Asia. Angelo was born 350 years after the death of SFX but his vision was much more refined to suit the time and the place. Did he have a vision of the future?. The true indianisation of Yeshu and his church? Angelo had written in 1934 - “We who have embraced Christianity for centuries have given up our painting, music and architecture. Having labeled them as paganism, we have turned to products of Europe. I hope that in future, we shall learn to treasure what is our birthright and receive it in our churches and homes.” We salute you Angelo as true exponent of Catholicism.