The Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, along with the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy and the Diocesan Commission for Sacred Music, hosted the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of ‘Gaionancho Jhelo’ at Rachol Seminary on the 18th of December 2023, to praise God through hymns and music and to acknowledge the pioneering work done by late Fr. Vasco do Rego SJ and others who made a substantial contribution to Gaionancho Jhelo
The event began at 6.30 pm with the video recording of Fr. Rego, singing the carol ‘Visvasacho Dis’, his first composition, recorded by Mr. Melwin Misquita, that was followed by a brief welcome address by the Rector of the seminary, Rev. Dr. Donato Rodrigues. The chief guest for the event was Fr. Lino de Sà and the following were the guests of honour: Mrs. Fatima Cabral e Cota, the wife of late Maurelio Cota, Rev. Fr. Bernado Cota, Rev. Fr. Peter Cardoso sfx, and Mr. Jerome Rodrigues. The chief guest and the guests of hounour were appreciated and thanked for the immense contribution they made to Gaionancho Jhelo by way of lyrics and composition of melodies.
The people in attendance were enthralled by the presentations of select hymns from the Gaionancho Jhelo by various choir groups of Goa, beginning with Cantate De Domino led by Rev. Fr Avinash Mascarenhas from Pernem deanery, Laudat by Rev. Fr. Newton Fernandes from Canacona deanery, the Santa Cecilia Choir of the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol led by Rev. Fr. Mathew Rebello, Chorus Angelorum led by Rev. Fr. Mansueto Fernandes Chinchinim deanery, a choir led by Mrs. Preethi Coutinho from the Central Zone, Saviourites of Loutolim led by Mr. Seby Fernandes and Vakhann’nni led by Rev. Fr. Simon D’Cunha comprising of 150 musicians and singers from different parts of Goa which with the rendition of ‘Visvasacho Dis’ first Konkani carol. Rev. Fr. Afonso Mendonça, the Director of the Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, proposed the vote of thanks, which brought the proceedings to an end.