Rev. Fr. Jacob Santan Crasta
An Open Letter
#3, Vianney Home
Fr. Muller's Compound
Kankanady Post 575002
Phone: +91-824-2433756
June 6, 2006
Fr. Muller's Compound
Kankanady Post 575002
Phone: +91-824-2433756
June 6, 2006
An open letter from Fr. Jacob Santan Crasta, S/o Mrs. & Mr. Ignatius Crasta/Crasto/Shet of Moodu Thonse, Kemmannu, to his esteemed friends, relatives and well-wishers spread all over east, west, north & south, for the purpose of aquainting with one another and for the benefit of their posterity.
I am one of the last two members of the generation, presently 81, the other one being my own elder brother Mr. Peter Crasta aged 84 and as such both of us admit that the end of our life's journey is not far off, nay the count down seems to have already started. So we sincerely and earnestly believe that unless we put down in black and white whatever important knowledge, experience, etc., we have about our ancestors or present close relatives, it will be lost forever for our posterity.
It is with this only motive in mind and not any self-exaltation or glorification, I the younger one of the two and who seem to have a little more experience of men and matters of the family and neighbourhood, have taken up this gigantic task of collecting the available data and drafting a rough history of the origin and spread of the so called Shet/Crasta/Crasto generation. Again, I admit that this is just a crude and rude attempt of mine and I also know that just a fraction of success of it will serve as a stepping stone for the future and more capable and intelligent members of this family who will attempt to do the research on it and perfect it. In this poor task of mine, many a member and friend of mine and our family has given me a precious and valuable helping hand. I mention just a few of them:
Now just to say a word about my life and experience.
I was born at Thonse, Kemman on 26th July 1925 and after completeing my High School studies at the Milagres High School Kallianpur, I joined St. Joseph's Seminary, Mangalore with a view to become a priest for the diocese of Mangalore. I was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. Dr. V. R. Fernandes, Bishop of Mangalore on April 7, 1953. I served as assistant parish priest in three parishes for 11 years, and then as a parish priest in seven parishes for 31 years, and as socius or companion priest for 10 years, in all for 52 years in all capacities, finally as vicar vara (vicar forane) in Kundapura where I contracted acute rheumatic arthritis which compelled me to resign from all parish duties and activities at the age of 70. Then again, I served as socius and parish priest at Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur for 7 years. When I perceived that I cannot work any longer doing justice to my duty, I left the place and came to stay at Vianney Home, with express consent of my Bishop on 2nd May 2002 when I was 77 years old.
In fact, I had the idea of starting the above work long before, but my health and the duties and the responsibilities of my parish did not permit me to undertake it. But just a few months ago, when I went home on a short holiday and where I was living with my nephew Lancy Crasta; one day after dinner at night at 8 p.m. while chatting in the calm and cool atmosphere, Lancy asked me some questions regarding our ancestors. As I was fairly conversant about them, it evinced a keen interest in him to know more about it. And finally he requested me to put it in black and white, which he said he would put on internet, which might be interesting and useful to others also. He undertook the responsibility of publishing it on the internet for the benefit of others too, if they are interested. Hence I ventured to take up this gigantic task. If it is of any use to you please make use of it. Otherwise just ignore it and say a Hail Mary for my poor efforts. Thank you.
With respect and prayerful wishes to one and all,
I am one of the last two members of the generation, presently 81, the other one being my own elder brother Mr. Peter Crasta aged 84 and as such both of us admit that the end of our life's journey is not far off, nay the count down seems to have already started. So we sincerely and earnestly believe that unless we put down in black and white whatever important knowledge, experience, etc., we have about our ancestors or present close relatives, it will be lost forever for our posterity.
It is with this only motive in mind and not any self-exaltation or glorification, I the younger one of the two and who seem to have a little more experience of men and matters of the family and neighbourhood, have taken up this gigantic task of collecting the available data and drafting a rough history of the origin and spread of the so called Shet/Crasta/Crasto generation. Again, I admit that this is just a crude and rude attempt of mine and I also know that just a fraction of success of it will serve as a stepping stone for the future and more capable and intelligent members of this family who will attempt to do the research on it and perfect it. In this poor task of mine, many a member and friend of mine and our family has given me a precious and valuable helping hand. I mention just a few of them:
Mr. Salvadore A. Crasto, Mount Rosary Church, KallianpurThese are just a few of the many of my associates at present. To make this work more perfect and useful, I call upon my friends and enthusiastic members of our family and also the esteemed friends and readers of this website, whatever useful and important knowledge/information they have about this family such as original stock or the rason for the bifurcation of their family from Thonse/Kemman to Kannada Kudru or vice versa, to any other place with the correct date, reason and present location, with a little of their history, etc. and als the link between one another to pass it on to me at my Vianney Home address or to any of the Ad Hoc committe members whose names are provided here, at your earliest convenience preferably by Monthi Fest, September 8, 2006.
Miss Lena Crasta, Milagres Church, Kallianpur
Mr. Austine J. Crasta, Holy Family Church, Brahmavar
Mr. Edwin Crasta, Holy Rosary Church, Kundapur
Mr. Gerald Crasta, Immaculate Conception Church, Gangolli
Mr. E. J. Crasta (Eappa Master, Hemmady), Immaculate Conception Church, Gangolli
Mr. Phillip Crasto, Indian Airways, Mumbai
Miss Agnes Crasto, Borivili, Mumbai
Mrs. Meena Pinto, Nejar, Kallianpur
Now just to say a word about my life and experience.
I was born at Thonse, Kemman on 26th July 1925 and after completeing my High School studies at the Milagres High School Kallianpur, I joined St. Joseph's Seminary, Mangalore with a view to become a priest for the diocese of Mangalore. I was ordained priest by Rt. Rev. Dr. V. R. Fernandes, Bishop of Mangalore on April 7, 1953. I served as assistant parish priest in three parishes for 11 years, and then as a parish priest in seven parishes for 31 years, and as socius or companion priest for 10 years, in all for 52 years in all capacities, finally as vicar vara (vicar forane) in Kundapura where I contracted acute rheumatic arthritis which compelled me to resign from all parish duties and activities at the age of 70. Then again, I served as socius and parish priest at Mount Rosary Church Kallianpur for 7 years. When I perceived that I cannot work any longer doing justice to my duty, I left the place and came to stay at Vianney Home, with express consent of my Bishop on 2nd May 2002 when I was 77 years old.
In fact, I had the idea of starting the above work long before, but my health and the duties and the responsibilities of my parish did not permit me to undertake it. But just a few months ago, when I went home on a short holiday and where I was living with my nephew Lancy Crasta; one day after dinner at night at 8 p.m. while chatting in the calm and cool atmosphere, Lancy asked me some questions regarding our ancestors. As I was fairly conversant about them, it evinced a keen interest in him to know more about it. And finally he requested me to put it in black and white, which he said he would put on internet, which might be interesting and useful to others also. He undertook the responsibility of publishing it on the internet for the benefit of others too, if they are interested. Hence I ventured to take up this gigantic task. If it is of any use to you please make use of it. Otherwise just ignore it and say a Hail Mary for my poor efforts. Thank you.
With respect and prayerful wishes to one and all,
Your elder brother,
Fr. Jacob S. Crasta.
Fr. Jacob S. Crasta.
Members of the Ad Hoc Committee
Fr. Jacob Santan Crasta, Convener
Mr. Salvadore A. Crasto, "Konico", Near Mt Rosary Church, Santhekatte, 576105
Mr. Austine J. Crasta, "Ausjov", Car Street, Brahmavar, 576213
Mr. Edwin Crasto, Chickensal Road, Kundapur, 576201
Mr. Gerald Crasta, "Rufine", Kannada Kudru, Hemmady Post, 576249
Mr. E. J. Crasta, Retd H.M., St.Joseph's Compound, Hemmady Post, 576249
Sr. Irene Mary Crasta, M.S.A., Mother's House, Mission Sisters of Ajmer, Ajmer, Rajasthan
Editor's Note:
If you have any information that can help this gigantic task undertaken by Fr. Jacob Crasta to trace the Crasta lineage, kindly email us at:crastafamily(at)gmail(dot)com
OR
call: +91-9845503497 (Salvadore A. Crasto, Kallianpur)
