Born, in Goa, on April 23, 1903, George was the second son of John Luis Fernandes and Isabella Ratton. After his Matriculation at the Goan Union High School, he joined the Papal Seminary at Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). He was ordained a priest in the Archdiocese of Bombay on September 23, 1929. Fr. George began his ministry in the Catholic Church as an Assistant at Our Lady of Salvation, Dadar, Bombay where he served for twelve years. He served last at St. Andrew’s, Bandra as a Parish Priest and as a Dean of South-West Salsette from June 1961 till his unexpected death in June, 1970. He also worked as a Diocesan Consultor and was a member of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
In 1961, he was appointed Domestic Prelate to the Pope and the title of Monsignor was conferred upon him. In his 41 years of Ministry, he served in eight Parishes of the Archdiocese. He was, intensely a man of God and through his calling, he established many legacies that have endured over time. He was a man of great humility. A creative organizer, an excellent musician, a great educationist, a renowned preacher, a lover of the poor and needy, a pastor first and last – and above all a man of God – the memories of Msgr. George remain fresh forever, for the traits which endeared him to all. He founded the Sunday School at his first Parish at Dadar and was its guiding force in its infant years.
He gave it an identity and eventually many other Parishes followed his example. It was due to his initiative, ardent zeal and contagious enthusiasm that Sunday Schools in the Archdiocese grew and still flourish. The founding of the religious congregation – The Poor Sisters of Our Lady – was indeed the crowning achievement of Msgr. George. With a core group of seven young women whom he felt were blessed with the vocation for religious life, he formed a “home grown” Diocesan congregation. Msgr. George was assisted in this work by Very Rev. Fr. J.J. Dias, Vicar of Salvation Church, Dadar, Rev. Fr. Justin D’Souza, Chaplain at Orlem and a few lay people. Msgr. George continued to harvest vocations for our Institute, which had a place of pride in his heart, till the time of his death.
He subsidized the education of scores of poor students. He built a colony Marienagar, of small houses for the poor in Mahim. He would spend endless hours in the confessional and give spiritual direction to the many who flocked to him. As a fluent preacher, he preached in English, Konkani and Marathi at St. Michael’s Church, Mahim, at the Wednesday devotions in honour of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour. The Sunday School which he founded became the nursery for many vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life.
His zeal kept him engaged with Sunday School, Sodalities, Altar Servers, vocation promotion, St. Anthony’s Guild, Novenas, Feasts, Sacred Heart Devotion, and Rosary at Our Lady of the Mount.
He died of heart attack on 2nd June, 1970 and is buried in St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra. Msgr. George Fernandes was declared Servant of God on September 14, 2019.
On June 2, 1970 at the age of 67, Msgr. George suffered a massive, fatal heart attack. His mortal remains are interred in front of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Andrew’s Church, Bandra.
The Diocesan phase of the investigation into the life and virtues of Msgr. George Fernandes solemnly concluded on May 28, 2024. This marked a significant milestone in the process of potentially declaring him a saint. The closing session of this phase was held with utmost reverence, as clergy, nuns, laity and the family members of Msgr. George gathered to honour his memory and work. The Bombay Archdiocese and Congregation of the Poor Sisters of Our Lady are proud of this moment in the history of the Church in Mumbai and the Congregation. Msgr. George Fernandes, Founder of the Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL), and a priest of the Archdiocese of Bombay, was declared a Servant of God on September 14. 2019. He lived a holy life and gave totally to God and to his people. The closing ceremony was held in the Holy Family Convent Chapel, Andheri, presided over by His Eminence, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay.
The Bombay Diocesan Phase ends with the handing of the documents to the Dicastery of the Causes of Saints. Handed over to the Under Secretary Fr. Boguslaw Stanislaw Turek.
The Poor Sisters Of Our Lady prays for the members of the congregation, lay associates, collaborators and all people of the world. In addition to community prayer, we have a separate prayer time set aside daily, for intentions.
We invite you to send your prayer requests to us for : serious illness, operation/surgery, family, employment, examinations, repose of the soul of a loved one, private personal intention.
