The practice of praying for the dead is deeply rooted in Christian tradition and is strongly encouraged by the Church, as outlined in the Scriptures (e.g., 2 Maccabees 12:39-46). The Cathedral See of Goa, a site of great historical and religious significance, houses the remains of numerous esteemed personalities who played pivotal roles in both the Church and governance of Goa, India, during the colonial period.

   Throughout the centuries, this sacred space has served as the final resting place for many distinguished individuals. The oldest grave in the Cathedral dates back to 1553, while the most recent burial occurred in 2022. Among those interred here are bishops, priests, nobles, and governors, many of whom have requested prayers for the souls of the departed through their epitaphs. As we commemorate this Jubilee year, it is a fitting time to remember these holy souls and offer prayers for them, following the words of St. Padre Pio: “We must empty Purgatory with our prayers.”

List of Eminent Personalities Buried in the Cathedral See of Goa

Location	Name	Date of Death	Notes
Entrance to the Cathedral	Fr. Lucus de Fonseca (Canon in the Cathedral)	February 12, 1640	Canon in the Cathedral See of Goa
Main Altar	Dom João de Albuquerque (1st Bishop of all India)	February 28, 1553	St. Francis Xavier made his profession under his hand
	Msgr. Raul Nicolau Fernandes (1st Goan Archbishop)	July 1, 2022	Archbishop of Goa
	D. Pe. Francisco dos Martyres (Archbishop & Governor)	November 25, 1652	Archbishop and Governor of Goa
	Frei Christovão de Lixboa (Bishop of Malacca, Archbishop of Goa)	March 31, 1622	Eighth Archbishop of Goa
	Dom Matheus (3rd Bishop of Cochin)	July 29, 1593	6th Archbishop of Goa
	D. George Themudo (1st Bishop of Cochin)	April 29, 1571	2nd Archbishop of Goa
	Dom Fr. Christovão da Silveira (Augustinian Archbishop)	April 9, 1673
	Dom Fr. Sebastião de S. P. (Augustinian)	November 7, 1629	First Bishop of Mylapore (Chennai)
	Dom Fr. Manoel Telles Barreto (Dominican Archbishop)	June 4, 1633	Tenth Archbishop of Goa
	D. Fr. Agostinho de Annunciation (Archbishop)	July 6, 1713	Twice governed Goa
	Dom Alberto da Silva (Canon Regular of S. Augustine)	-	Archbishop of Goa
	Dom Manuel de Souza e Menezes (Archbishop of Goa)	January 31, 1684
	Dom Frei Antonio Brandão (Cistercian Archbishop)	July 6, 1678
	D. Manoel de S. Catharina (Carmelite Bishop of Goa)	1812
	D. Garcia de Noronha (Viceroy of Portuguese India)	April 3, 1540
Crossing/Transept	Henrique Jacques de Magalhães (Governor of Angola)	April 30, 1700
	Julio Simão (Chief Engineer of the Cathedral)	-	His wife Caterina de Bustamante and heirs are also buried here
	Julio Simão (Chief Engineer of the Cathedral)	-	His wife Caterina de Bustamante and heirs are also buried here
	D. Simão Gomes da Silva and Dona Maria Cortes	September 22, 1663
	Father Caetano João Peres (Knight of Christ, Governor)	January 24, 1860	Staunch defender of the Padroado Português
Chapels of S. Pedro & Nossa Senhora das Dores	Father André Frz (Chaplain of King of Portugal)	May 20, -	Vigário General, Provizor of the Archbishopric of Goa
	Father Lucas Luis (Mestre Schola)	September 19, 1629
	Doctor Miguel Frz Rebello	October 9, 1627
	Fr. Marcos Alvares (Chantre of the Cathedral See)	-
	Doctor Bras Henriques da Veiga (Dean of the Archdiocese)	March 3, 1660
Altar of S. José (St. Joseph)	Luis da Fonseca (Major Treasurer)	-	Founded the altar after 43 years of service
	D. Gaspar de Leão Pereira (1st Archbishop of Goa)	-	Founder of the Altar of St. Joseph
	D. Fr. André de Santa Maria (4th Bishop of Cochin)	-
Our Lady of Hope	Luis Soares de Goes (Chantre, Vigário General)	July 12, 1701
	Antonio Lobo and Fr. Gomes Dalmada (Canons)	-
	S. Luis Dafonsequa de São Paio (Captain of Mombasa)	July 3, 1661	His heirs are also buried here
	Tristram Doliveira and his heirs	-
	João Machado and his mother Maria Giz	-	His heirs also buried here
	Doctor Sebastião Alvares Migós and family	-
Blessed Sacrament Chapel	Antonio Gomes Ferreira and heirs	1638
	Antonio Roiz Carv. and his wife	-
	J. Lopes Pacheco (Carreira dos Cavalos)	-	His heirs also buried here
Chapel of the Holy Spirit	Manuel de Moraes	May 17, 1630
	Supico (Lord of Morgados)	1630
Cruz dos Milagros	Doctor Antonio Simões de Carvalho (Dean of the Cathedral)	-
Chapel of St. Bernard	Vicente Henriques da	-
	Paz (Founder of the Chapel)
	D. Leonor Mascarenhas (Wife of Vicente Henriques)	-	Married Francisco de Mello e Castro
Chapel of Saint Anthony	Dona Domingas de Morais (Widow of Dom Aleixo de Menezes)	-	Founder and patron of the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora do Mar
Sacristy of the Cathedral	Isabelel Botelho	December 26, 1577
	João Frz and his wife Antonia Frz (Fernandez)	-

Conclusion

   These individuals—both clerical and secular—are an integral part of Goa's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Each name on this list represents not only a unique contribution to the Church but also to the governance and shaping of Goa during a pivotal period in its history. Their graves serve as enduring reminders of the sacrifices they made in the service of God and the people of Goa. As we remember them, may we fulfil the Christian duty of praying for the souls of the departed

Rev. J.M. John Marshal, Founder and Prior-Elamite Interefaith Movement

(Article on Katedralacho Ulo Special Edition December 2024)