After the 45 member Seminary Orchestra brought cheer to the hearts of the audience by playing Mozart, the Rector, Fr. Dennis Fernandes, formally welcomed the august gathering.

 

The main item was the staging of the Konkani play “Panz”, written by the well known playwright Shri Pundalik Naik and directed by Fr. Polly Lobo. Its delivered a powerful message, challenging the audience to protect the environment against depredation, and children against exploitation. The story is built around two queer personages acting as thieves: one steals plants from people who did not care about them and plants them in his garden to nurture them with care; the other steals children from parents who were unable to give them a decent childhood and takes care of them in an ashram.

 

The other item was the Musical “Be the Moon” based on the life of Bl. Joseph Vaz. The libretto was by Fr. Simião Fernandes and the music by Fr. Romeo Monteiro. It was directed by Fr. Donato Rodrigues. The operetta challenged those gathered to reflect the luminosity of lasting values of Christ, the Sun, by being the moon in their families, Church and society. 

 

In between these two main items were presentations by the Seminary Choir and a traditional Goan dekhnni, presented in a unique dramatic manner.

 

The Chief Guest, in his address, highlighted the role of the Rachol Seminary as the epicenter of Evangelization throughout India. Archbishop-Patriarch Filipe Neri Ferrão recalled the person of Bl. Joseph Vaz as a model for seminarians and missionaries. The annual magazine-journal of the Seminary, “Luceas”, was released at the hands of the Chief Guest, who also distributed prizes to students who had excelled in academics during the last scholastic year.

 

Deac. Dylon D’Costa compered the function.