The village Candolim in Bardez Goa is known to produce great men not only of Goa but even of the World. Abade Faria the World renown Hypnotist was born in this village at Pintos Vaddo, so too the great Catholic Priests, Pintos who spearheaded the Pintos Revolt against the Portuguese rule in Goa much before the French Revolution. Another great son of Goa and the renown Goan Lawyer of last century who rattled the Portuguese government under Salazar, Antonio Bruto Da Costa was born in Candolim only at Pintos Vaddo again.
Monteiros Chapel "Our Lady of Remedios".
The two families in Candolim, namely Faria’s and Pinto’s were prominent famiies that created history by giving birth to the great sons of Goa who played very important roles in their life.
The third family that yet again gave birth to the two great sons of Candolim, namely Dr. Gustavo Monteiro and his younger brother Monsg. Francisco Monteiro popularly known as Pe. Chico Monteiro, was the Monteiro family. Dr. Gustavo Monteiro born on 11.04.19i5 and died on 28.03.1985, during his lifetime was the most prominent son of this village playing eminent role in all segments of Candolim like, Communidade as its president, Confraria, Social, Political, Sporting mainly in the promotion of soccer etc. He had the unique distinction of being the member of Goa Legislative Council (equivalent of current Goa Legislative Assembly) during the colonial rule. Additionally, he held the presidency of Goa Football Association for about 30 years, joining GFA durng Portuguese rule and even paying a goodwill visit to Portugal. In prominence and in popularity Candolim village is yet to give birth to another person like him.
Local Pe.Vigar seen coming to celebrate the Feast Mas
Dr. Gustao Monteiro being a very prominent doctor gaining trust of his patients coming everyday in a big number not only from Candolim but even from the neighbouring and other distant places, was also a great philanthropist whose charitable work remained hidden to a great extent following his religious code – your left hand should not know what your right hand gave.
The village Candolim cannot forget his contribution in the promotion of football starting from 1955 approximately when almost single handedly he formed Candolim soccer team comprising the magnificent footballers namely Cheddo brothers – Cheddo & Jose Marie, Machado Brothers – Andrew & Babazinho, Kamal Brothers - Kamal – Madhu & Satchit, Bushan, Baba Naik, Tony Call and others. Additionally thru his personal efforts, Dr. Monteiro got the services of 4 ace Pakle footballers from Aguada to play for Candolim team which within a very short time jumped into Primeira Divisao. Such a dream team never came again and unlikely to come. This all happened because of the personal efforts put in by Dr. Monteiro both as financier as well as guide and mentor of the team.
During th Feast yesterday, "Feri" where eatables are sold
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Besides, Dr. Gustavo Monteiro has gifted the Candolim football ground to Candolim Panchayat which was later on named after him. It was Dr. Monteiro who laid the strong base for Candolim soccer which is still flourishing.
The Monteiros Palatial House was built in 1603 where it has housed till now 29 generations starting from Diogo Monteiro and produced 8 Priests, Pe. Chico Monteiro being the last one whose stance that he is the citizen of Goa and not of India nor of Portugal rattled the Indian government after Goa was forcibly invaded by India on 19.12.1961. Advocate Gardiner came all the way from London to defend Pe. Chico as per the International Law. This was the rare and the only case of international ramification where the son of Monteiros created international uproar from Goa. For many years from 1962 Pe. Chico spent his time in the promotion of sporting activities among the local boys namely in Football, Volleyball, Table Tennis and even Wrestling. In fact somewhere in 1966 he organized a competitive contest in Wrestling in their compound where prominent Wrestlers from the locality and beyond participated.
Coming back to Dr. Gustao Monteiro, his tradition has been handed over to his elder son Dr. Jose Monteiro who is the prominent medical practitioner in the entire locality gaining full confidence of the patients coming in large number every day to his Consulting Room which was earlier used by his father. Dr. Jose Monteiro is practicing medicine during the last forty years with distinction just like his father from whom he received the Baton which is also now passed on to his youngest daughter, Dr. Ana Soraya Monteiro who besides being employed at GMC Bambolim, has just appeared for her MD examination; she is the third doctor in the Monteiro family besides having her brothr-in-law as yet another doctor who is currently a Cancer specialist, Dr. Jean Luis Menezes. The only son of Dr. Jose, Adv. Gustavo Monteiro – LLB/LLM is a practising Lawyer based in Panjim while Dr. Jose’s wife Marina D. Monteiro is a Professor at St. Xaviers College, Mapusa - Microbiology Department and was earlier occupying the post of Vice Principal of the College.
The month of September is always a special month for the Monteiro family and to the Catholics of this area because the Chapel attached to the Monteiro’s Mansion is named after Our Lady of Remedios whose feast is celebrated on 15thof this month every year. This Chapel was built in 17th century by the family priest Pe. Jose Monteiro to cater to the spiritual needs of the Catholics from the surrounding areas who flock there every Sunday for the Mas at 5.00 PM. The maintenance and upkeep of the Chapel is done by Dr. Jose Monteiro without asking any contribution from the faithful, not even Tray Collection. This Chapel serves the large number of faithful not only from that area but also from beyond.
A.Veronica Fernandes,
Candolim, Goa.
Tel:7507394349.