Jacome Gonsalves (1676-1742) Life Born and baptized on 8 June 1676 in the parish church of Our Lady of Grace, Chorao, Goa. Eldest son of Thomas Gonsalves and Mariana de Abreu, living in the parish of Our Lady of Pity (Piedade), Divar, Goa. His family had been Christians for 2 or 3 generations, being among the first converts at the beginning of Portuguese rule in Goa. Gonsalves studied at the Jesuit College of Goa. He enrolled in the University of Goa [probably the Collegio Sao Paolo], and obtained the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1696 he began theological studies at the Academy of St Thomas Aquinas in Goa, where he also held the post of organist. This seems to have led him to develop a taste for poetry, prose and music. He decided to enter the Oratorian Congregation of Goa. He was appointed to the chair of philosophy at the University of St Pauls in Goa [probably the Collegio Sao Paolo]. He took up his post in January 1705, but relinquished it the same year to go to Sri Lanka. He left Goa on 9 May 1705 and reached Sri Lanka on 30 August 1705, arriving at Talaimannar. At the time, he knew Konkani, Portuguese, Latin and Spanish. During the long journey he studied Tamil. He mastered this language during his first assignment on the islands of Mannar, Arippu, Musali and other places in the Munnar district. He also learnt Dutch. Fr Jose Vaz sent him to Kandy to learn Sinhala. Fr Gonsalves studied with the Buddhist monks at the Malwatta Chapter, known for their high and elegant Sinhala. He wrote many of his works at Bolawatta, near Negombo. Since there was no printing press, he employed 12 Sinhala clerks to copy his works. He is called the Father of Sinhala Catholic literature. He died on 17 July 1742.
Posted on: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 16:11:55 +0000
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