After the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa (1560–1812) and later the forced assimilation policies, Konkani was suppressed. The Catholic Church preserved it within the walls of homes and through prayers like the St. Anthony prayer. To recite it in Konkani is an act of resistance, memory, and cultural pride. Mangalorean Catholics, who fled the captivity of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, also carried these prayers as their spiritual armor.
“Sant Anton, Sant Anton, upkarak lagun mhonntam tuka. Mhojea vostu (item name) sangata mhaka sodun di. Tujea mogan ani mogallponnan, hea mhojea kamak zalear zait. Amem.” st anthony prayer in konkani language