History
The Redemptorists presence in South Goa is at Varca. The property and the old house at Varca were donated to the Redemptorists by Aselmo and Maurilio Furtado of Carmona. Late Archbishop Raul Gonsalves granted permission to begin a Formation house of the Redemptorists and granted a decree after Solemn blessing of the Chapel in the house on 22nd Aug 2002. It was erected as the fourth residence in the Region of Mumbai.
Initially the Juvenate formation began in Sanquelim Parish in 2001 with 8 students. Later it was shifted to Varca in June 2002. Fr. Theo D'Souza was appointed as the first Superior and Director of Juvenate formation in this house. Two batches of students did their Higher Secondary studies and later it was used as English learners and Orientation students' formation house.
An Annexure was constructed and was blessed on 30.12.2010 to facilitate studies of the Philosophate students of the Vice province of Majella which was shifted from Bangalore to Varca. Since 2011 Varca has become the Inter Provincial Philosophy study house for the Professed students of the Province of Bangalore and Vice-Province of Majella known as "Gerard Majella Study House". The Redemptorist students pursue their Academic studies at the Dominican Seminary at Orlim (affiliated to Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram) about 1.5 Km from Varca. On 18.04.2013 this residence was raised to the status of Canonical Community in the Vice Province of Majella.

Apostolate of the Community

Primary Apostolate is the formation of the philosophy students. The Prefect of the students looks after their Human, Spiritual, Community and Pastoral formation. Each batch goes through two years of philosophical studies, after which they do their Regency and Theological studies.
The second priority of the community is to look after the Loyola School at Shirvodem, Navelim, primarily catering to the marginalized and migrant students. The Founder of the school Dr. Khristanand Desai, who began the school for 1st to 12th Standard students for the under privileged as a unit of the trust of Nano Nagle. He then handed its management over to the Redemptorists in 2019. The students so far write their exams in 10th and 12th in the NIOS system of Delhi. The students are given education free of cost. The annual expenditure of Rs.15 lakhs is borne by the Vice-Provincial Govt. At present Fr. Rithesh Rosario is the Principal of the School and Fr. Eugene D'Silva is the Manager.
Other apostolates are : Outreach programs of preaching missions in Konkani, English, Retreats to religious and schools, Homiletics to theology students, Ministry to Sea farers, Ministry to migrants and domestic workers in Hindi.
The community follows the Seminary schedule of house. The Morning Prayer and mass is attended by many laity from the neighbourhood at 6 am. Every Saturday at 7pm adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is conducted which is attended also by the Laity. The community is always open to people coming for Sacrament of Reconciliation, Counselling and Guidance. As Varca is closer to the Airport, Railway station and most importantly to the beautiful beaches in South Goa many visitors prefer to visit and reside in the community.
You too are most welcome to the Redemptorist Community at Varca.