Nov. 24 marks the birth anniversary of Fr. Faustino De Souza, born in 1893, and is celebrated as Founder’s Day for the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth (SFN).
His life was a testimony of profound humility and a tireless mission to restore hope and spiritual life in Goa, which was recovering from the suppression of religious institutes.
Fr. Faustino De Souza was a man whose life mirrored the virtue of humility he often preached. His “Pearls of Wisdom” for his sisters emphasized virtues such as love, silence, divine providence, sacrifice, mortification, and above all, humility.
This cornerstone of his spirituality was most clearly demonstrated in his approach to criticism and adversity.
Like the biblical image of the “lamb taken to the slaughterhouse,” Fr. Faustino chose silence and acceptance over self-defense. When faced with accusations or misunderstandings, he reportedly did not rush to justify himself or his good works.
This detachment from reputation allowed his work to speak for itself and served as a powerful example to his nascent community and the Church in Goa. He believed that humbling oneself would make one “beloved of God and man.”
Fr. Faustino was a zealous priest and visionary who became a missionary of hope for the marginalized in Goan society. He recognized the spiritual and social void left by the suppression of religious orders and responded by founding the SFN Congregation in 1935 to serve local families, later desiring to branch out to neighboring states.
- Uplifting the marginalized: His mission focused on the poor, orphans and the aged. He opened schools and boarding houses on the outskirts to serve troubled families, ensuring their physical and spiritual well-being. By caring for boarders, he instilled values and provided holistic education, transforming their circumstances and future. The tradition of distributing the sweet godde on Founder’s Day is a reminder of how he encouraged and empowered students in their studies.
- A call for learning and communication: Fr. Faustino understood the importance of knowledge and communication in spreading the mission. He urged the sisters to learn languages and take up writing and communication ministry. He himself published spiritual booklets and saw writing as a crucial tool for sharing the good news. This encouragement for intellectual and communicative growth empowered the women of his congregation to become effective instruments of Christ’s love and hope.
For Fr. Faustino, the number of vocations and the quality of missionary work were direct measures of the community’s fidelity to God’s calling and the virtuous lives of its members.
- He saw a decline in numbers or missionary effectiveness not merely as a practical setback but as a symptom of spiritual lapse. He believed the lack of women responding to God’s call was often rooted in the failure of those already in the community to live according to God’s calling.
- His remedy was always a call to examine the inner self. He emphasized that a sister’s external works of service must flow from an intense interior life of prayer, humility and faithfulness to the rule. He urged them to:
- Examine their conscience: Identify and rectify areas where actions, thoughts or attitudes were not aligned with Christ’s teachings or the spirit of the congregation.
- Renew their commitment: Live their vows with greater dedication and love, understanding that their joy, piety, and unity were the most powerful witness to religious life.
- Pray for vocations: By living virtuously, they would make their community spiritually attractive and fertile ground for new vocations.
In essence, he believed the greatest recruiter for the community was the saintliness and sincere living of its members. His approach highlighted that genuine spiritual health leads naturally to growth and effectiveness.
Fr. Faustino De Souza’s legacy remains a source of inspiration for selfless service and altruism, reminding us that true greatness is found not in seeking respect but in gaining it through virtuous living; not in seeking honor, but in genuine service and Christ-like humility. His life was not measured by external recognition.
Sr. Molly Fernandes SFN is a member of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Sancoale, Goa, India. She currently serves as the Directress of the Holy Family Communication Centre and editor of the congregation’s magazine. A speaker and writer, she actively evangelizes through mass media, using communication as a tool for faith formation and outreach.
