THE CLERGY & RECTORS

Prior to it being made an independent Shrine

1573                 Fr. Joao Diaz SJ who was appointed to Bandra (Santa Ana). A Spaniard, he was ordained a

                         diocesan priest in 1536,

                         but  after meeting Fr. Francis Xavier in Malacca in 1546 became a Jesuit and worked in the

                         western coast region of India.

1587                  Fr. Manoel Gomes SJ, Vicar of Santa Ana.

1616                  Vicar of St Andrew’s, Bandra.

1730s                Fr. Thomas Villanova SJ, last Jesuit Vicar of Andrew’s Church.

1739                  Fr Paulo Dias, Vicar of St Andrew’s and in-charge of the Shrine.

1761                  Fr. Dr. Francis da Cruz.

1846-48            Fr. Antonio Joaquim da Silva, curate of St. Andrew’s.

1869-74            Fr. Erasmo Francis Xavier, from Ranwar,  residing in St Andrew’s and Chaplain of the Shrine.

1877-88            Fr. Elias Hypolito Fernandes, of Pakhadi – Chuim.

1888-1907        Fr. Elias Braz Dias of Pakhadi Boran, residing in St Andrew’s.

After being made an independent Shrine

1943-50            First Rector, Msgr. Dominic de Sa, born in Agashi (1880) and studied in Damaun as well

                          as Rachol, Goa.

1950-53            Msgr. Placidus Edward Fernandes from Kantwadi. He constructed the Rectory – Marianella

                          the Pilgrim House opposite the Shrine, and began construction of the Oratory.

1953-59            Rev. Dr. Vivian Dyer from Mazagon. He completed the construction of the Oratory.

1959-88            Bishop Longinus Pereira from Bandra. He was the longest serving Rector, and organized

                          efficiently the celebrations of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, despite the growing

                          number of pilgrims. He has also had the privilege of receiving both the Popes who have visited

                          India at the Mount.

Tombstone of Bishop Longinus Pereira, located in the basilica

1988-95            Fr. Joseph Praxedes Pereira also from Bandra. After serving the archdiocese in various

                          capacities, he served as an efficient Rector at the Shrine. During his tenure he laboured

                          hard to build the multi-purpose building named Mary Hill opposite the Shrine.

1995-                Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues the present Rector of the Basilica is a renowned educationist.

                          Having completed his post graduation through the University of London, he obtained a

                          doctorate in Canon law ( in Rome,). He has toiled in the ministry of education both at school

                          and college levels, which also included the seminary. He continues to guide the activities

                          of the Shrine, and is now preparing the plans for a permanent Marian exhibition depicting

                          the scenes of the twenty mysteries of the Holy Rosary.