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 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 multipurpose building named Mary Hill opposite the Shrine.
1995 - 2016 Msgr. Nereus Rodrigues retired as Rector after 21 fruitful years, a renowned educationist,
he completed his post graduation through the University of London and obtained a
doctorate in Canon law (Rome). He has toiled in the ministry of education both at school
and college levels. St. Andrews College ( Bandra west) is also one of the fruits of his labour.
The Marian project and exhibition at the Mount, depicting the scenes of the twenty mysteries
of the Holy Rosary was initiated by him.
With his approval (through Fr Aniceto Pereira and Mr. Peter deSouza ) the official web site of the Basilica was launched in 2012.
(1923 - 2020)
R.I.P.
November, 26th 2020
Click here to view the funeral mass of Msgr Nereus Rodrigues
2016 - Bishop John Rodrigues...current Born on 21st August, 1967, has the distinction of being consecrated as Mumbai's
youngest Bishop, his Episcopal Ordination was on 29th June, 2013. This 'Bandra Boy' has been a Stanislite,
Andrean and Xaverite who has had a very rich academic and varied ecclesiastical career.
After completing his Licentiate in Systematic Theology from the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome in 2002 he has
held many important portfolios of the church in Mumbai, including the post of Dean and Rector at St. Pius X College,
Goregaon, until his new posting as Rector of this Basilica on 1st June, 2016.
His motto: : To Build up the Body of Christ (Eph 4:12)