Udupi/M’Belle: Large number of people pay last respect to late Benedict Martis on his last journey

By Eugene DSouza
Pics by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 11 Dec 2017: A large number of people from Moodubelle and surrounding parishes paid their last respect to late Benedict Martis wh passed away on Saturday, 9 December 2017. The Requiem Mass followed by funeral service was held in St. Lawrence Church, Moodubelle on Monday, 11 December 2017 at 4pm.

 

The Requiem Mass was concelebrated by 21 priests with Fr. Valerian D’Souza, former Parish Priest and builder of the new church of Moodubelle as the chief celebrant. Other priests included former Parish Priests-Fr. Charles Lewis and Fr. Joswey Fernandes; Chancellor of Udupi Diocese and Dean of Udupi Deanery-Fr. Valerian Mendonca; PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar-Fr. Denis D’Sa; Parish Priest of Moodubelle-Fr. Clement Mascarenhas; former Principal of St. Lawrence Composite PU College-Fr. Paul Sequeira;  priests from Assisi Nilaya, Diocesan Minor Seminary and other priests.

 

In the introductory remarks, Fr. Valerian D’Souza said that late Benedict Martis, though is no longer with us, would be immortal for his generous donations, especially while the new  church was  built. The shrine of St. Lawrence by the side of the church was entirely sponsored by Benedict Martis in the name of his children-Bradley and Brenda which would remain as lasting testimony of his generosity.

 

 

In his homily, Fr. Valerian Mendonca  referred to the last speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr., the American Civil Right Activist on 3 April 1968, “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” With these words, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. built a crescendo to his final speech on April 3, 1968. The next day, the civil rights leader was shot and killed on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

Referring to the life of late Benedict Martis, Fr. Valerian said that his life had been a life of inspiration as he was generous in disposition and never turned away anyone who came to him for any kind of help. Further, Fr. Valerian said that late Benedict Martis was a gift not only to his family but to the entire parish and the diocese. Continuing the homily, Fr. Valerian said that we should thank God for the gift of Benedict Martis rather than feeling sad as death is inevitable to all. There is beginning and end to everything, so also to life.

 

Soon after the Requiem Mass, Henry Fernandes, former Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council and a close friend of late Benedict Martis offered ‘sharaddhanjali’ (eulogy) to late Benedict Martis. 

 

Late Benedict Martis was born on 12 January 1955 as fourth among five children of late Pascal and Bridgit Martis of Gud-dhottu. After completing his education in Moodubelle Benedict Martis proceeded to Middle East to earn livelihood for the family. In May 1985, Benedict Martis married Flavia from Belman and they had the gift of two children, Bradley and Brenda.  

 

After working for fifteen years in the Gulf countries, Benedict Martis returned home to be with his family and spent 22 years in Moodubelle. He had been an active member of various associations of the Parish including Parish Council, Finance Committee and St. Vincent de Paul Society. He had been known for his generosity and helping those who had been in need.  He served as the Gurkar of St. Francis I Ward for many years. 

 

Late Benedict Martis  was the Charter Member of the Lions Club of Moodubelle and served as its President for one term. 

 

Bradley, the son of late  Benedict is married to Shiney from Shankerpura (Pangla) and daughter Brenda is engaged to Ajay Barboza of Pamboor. 

 

Henry Fernandes expressed gratitude to all the doctors, especially from Gandhi Hospital. Udupi for treating Benedict Martis.

 

 

On behalf of the Doctors, Dr. P.V. Bhandary, famous Psychiatrist  of Dr. Baliga Hospital, Udupi paid rich tribute to late Benedict Martis. He said that in spite of suffering from the deadly disease, Benedict Martis never lost hope of recovery and approached the treatment with positive attitude. Whenever he met Benedict Martis or phoned him, the latter would always ask the Doctor as “How are your Doctor?’ Late Benedict Martis used to refer a number of patients irrespective of religion or caste  from Moodubelle to Gandhi Hospital in which he had an interest. He even used to offer to pay the hospital bills of poor patients who were referred by him. Dr. Bhandary further said that Benedict Martis never manifested any pain or suffering, but accepted everything in his stride. He was a noble man as he never complained about any one, neither any one said anything negative about him. Dr. Bhandary said that late Benedict Martis lived the life as per the teachings of his religion and he has been very fortunate that he had a friend like late Benedict Martis.

 

 

The funeral service was conducted by Fr. Charles Lewis in the church and Fr. Clement Mascarenhas  in the cemetery. 

 

The church was full to capacity with people who attended the funeral. People paid their respect at the end of the prayers in the church by piling past the coffin in long queues. 

 

The funeral procession to the cemetery was quite lengthy. After the final prayers in the cemetery, the coffin was lowered in the grave bringing down the final curtain on the life of  Benedict Martis one of the finest human beings loved by one and all.