Fr Vasco do Rego
PANAJI
Fr Vasco do Rego, noted Goan crusader, Konkani stalwart and Jesuit priest, passed away in Pune on Ash Wednesday (February 17). He was 96.
Fr Rego was widely acknowledged for his contribution to the Church in Goa in the fields of Liturgy in Konkani and translation and editing work of the Konkani Bible as well as of the Konkani Missal and the Konkani Lectionary, all monumental works.
Fr Rego had served the Jesuits and the Church in several positions such as Student Counsellor of St Vincent School, Pune, Spiritual Father of Rachol Seminary, Student Counsellor and Rector of Loyola High School, Margao, Rector and Novice Master at Xavier Training College, Desur-Karnataka, Director of Retreat House, Baga, Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, Old Goa, Chaplain of Stella Maris Chapel, Miramar, and Editor of Konknni monthly “Dor Mhoineachi Rotti”.
He also did pioneering work on the Konkani hymnal “Gaionacho Jhelo”, which is used in Goa and elsewhere by Konkani speaking Catholics.
He was a strong protagonist of Konkani language and wrote numerous articles and poems on various issues.
Fr Rego was awarded the first award of Dalgado Konknni Akademi, Panaji, in 2005 and was also awarded the “Goa State Cultural Award” (2013-2014).
During his term as Rector of Bom Jesus Basilica, a number of prominent global figures visited the Basilica, including then prime minister Indira Gandhi, then prime minister of England Margaret Thatcher, then Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau, then president of Portugal Mario Soares and Pope Saint John Paul II.
