Constantine Vendrame,[1][2][3] also known as the "Apostle of Shillong"[4][5] was a Salesian missionary from Italy who worked for the welfare of Khasis, in North East, India.[6][7]
Constantine Vendrame | |
|---|---|
| Priest | |
| Born | 27 August 1893 San Martino di Colle Umberto, Treviso, Italy |
| Died | 30 January 1957 (aged 63) Dibrugarh, Assam, India |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Shrine of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mawlai, Shillong, India |
Early life and education
editConstantine Vendrame was born on 27 August 1893 to Pietro and Elena Fiori in San Martino di Colle Umberto, Treviso, Italy. He joined the Salesian novitiate at Ivrea on 15 September 1913. He completed his study of philosophy and was sent for his regency to the oratory of Chioggia. He also served for a four-year compulsory military service. After the completion of his military service, he pursued his theological formation while working simultaneously in the oratories of Chioggia and Venice.[6]
Priesthood
editOn 15 March 1924 Vendrame was ordained a Catholic priest by the cardinal Eugenio Tosi at the chapel of the Archiepiscopal seminary of Milan.[6]
Missionary to India
editVendrame arrived in Shillong on 23 December 1924. At the start of the World War II in 1939, Vendrame and another 150 Italian missionaries were put in the concentration camp. After the war Vendrame was asked by Louis Mathias to go to Wandiwash, Tamil Nadu. He came back to Shillong in 1951. He was always busy in preaching gospel, helping needy and bringing people back to the church.[6]
Death
editVendrame died in Dibrugarh, Assam, India, on 30 January 1957.[8][9] On 1 July 2014 the mortal remains of Constantine Vendrame were moved to the Shrine of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mawlai, Shillong, India.[10]
Sainthood
editThe process for canonisation is underway for Constantine Vendrame.[11]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Servant of God, Constantine Vendrame "Salesian Missionary"". Dolfi Shop. Archived from the original on 2019-03-26. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ Today, Shillong (2017-10-23). "Musical drama staged on missionary from Italy, Fr. Constantine Vendrame". shillongtoday. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ Burns (SDB.), Patrick (1980). No Frontiers: The Life of Fr. Constantine Vendrame, SDB. Don Bosco Press.
- ^ Kanjamala, Augustine (1997). Paths of Mission in India Today. St Pauls BYB. ISBN 9788171092864.
- ^ "Father Constantine Vendrame – Matters India". Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ a b c d "Don Bosco India -". donboscoindia.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ "Musical staged on first Salesian missionary to Northeast". The Shillong Times. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ Vadakumpadan, Paul (2011), "Vendrame, Constantine", in Hedlund, Roger E; Athyal, Jesudas M; Kalapati, Joshua; Richard, Jessica (eds.), The Oxford Encyclopaedia of South Asian Christianity, Oxford University Press, doi:10.1093/acref/9780198073857.001.0001, ISBN 9780198073857, retrieved 2019-03-26
- ^ "Diocese Overview | Diocese Of Dibrugarh". www.dibrugarhdiocese.org. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ "Don Bosco India -". donboscoindia.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
- ^ "Hero's sainthood process moves closer". ucanews.com. Retrieved 2019-03-26.