By Bro. John Malvino Alfonso OCD –
Sancoale (Goa): Catholics across Goa this year undertook a three-tier walking pilgrimage (Bhavarthachi Yatra) i.e., representative’s pilgrimage, parishioners pilgrimage and family pilgrimage. Representatives of the parishes across Goa walked to Sancoale Old Church on the first Sunday (March 6) of Lent.
It was in this church that St. Joseph Vaz wrote a letter of bondage and later on, during his spiritual journey in Sri Lanka; he walked sharing the message of Christ to the less fortunate. Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, who participated in the walking pilgrimage, presided over the Eucharistic celebration held at the ruins of Old Sancoale Church.
The walking pilgrimage, covering 10 kms, began at 3.00 am from five centres, Goa Velha, Mandur junction, Verna, Cansaulim and Vasco for the representatives of Parishes all over Goa, who reached Sancoale Old Church around 4.30 a.m.
The Archbishop Filipe Neri himself walked with the people from Goa-Velha to Sancoale.
Fr. Manuel Dias, Rector of the Saint Joseph VA Sanctuary, Fr. Kenneth Tales, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Health Church, Sancoale, Fr. Ligourinho D’Costa, Convenor, Committee formed for Walking Pilgrimage, Fr. Lucio Dias, Episcopal Vicar for South Zone, Fr. Leaonard P. D’Souza, Episcopal Vicar for Central Zone, Fr. Americo Rodrigues, Assistant to the Parish Priest of St. Bartholomew Church Chorão, Fr. Jorge Fernandes, Director, Diocesan Centre for Lay Apostolate, Fr. Simon Diniz, Parish Priest of Sts. Philip and James Church, Cortalim and many priests concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration.
Delivering a homily during the Eucharistic celebration, Archbishop Filipe Neri appealed to the faithful as the members of the church and followers of Christ to embrace Jesus’ way of charity, suffering and humility and thus strengthen the Synodal Church. “Let us live in union with Jesus and with each other, participate in the Church, and continue the mission of the Church like St Francis Xavier and St. Joseph Vaz,” the Archbishop said.
Reflecting on the temptations of Jesus the temptations of Jesus, Archbishop Filipe Neri said that Satan tried to tempt Jesus with the offering of self-glory, name, status, riches But Jesus remained faithful to his Father and refused the so-called glory and riches that Satan offered. “Many times, we are put into such temptations. We are called to compromise on our values, on our faith, on our God to gain riches, status and glory of the world. However, these things do not give us happiness, these things do not last, it brings more emptiness than Joy. Christ offers us eternal Joy,” the prelate added.
The Archbishop said that prayer, fasting, sacrifices, abstinence, and serving others through the works of mercy are the three means to overcome these temptations.
The Archbishop emphasised the exemplary life journey of St. Joseph Vaz and St. Francis Xavier who transformed the lives of so many people. He specially offered the walking pilgrimage for peace in Ukraine and Russia, besides praying for the blessings on all the faithful.
Many faithful participated in the walking pilgrimage to the Sancoale Old Church whereas some parishioners walked to their respective parishes. Those who were restricted to their homes were also asked to walk and pray, participate in the Way of the Cross and to serve their family members in little things. Parishioners recited rosary and sang hymns on the way to Sancoale Old Church.
The Walking Pilgrimage was organised by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman to understand the salvific value of suffering, to spread the joy of being a Christian, to gain God’s grace during difficulties and an occasion for personal conversion. It was an opportunity provided by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrão, for the church in Goa to walk with Christ, who first walked to Calvary.
The number of participants this year were however restricted to follow the Covid-19 SOPs.
The Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament at the Old Sancoale Church was conducted before the Eucharistic celebration by Fr. Simon Diniz, Parish Priest of St. Philip and James Church, Cortalim helped the faithful to have a deeper experience of Jesus. Fr. Mario Costa, Parish Priest of St. John the Baptist Church, Carambolim led the liturgical singing. Fr. Afonso Mendonca, Director of Diocesan Centre for Liturgy, animated the liturgy. Fr. Ligorinho D’Costa Convenor of the committee formed for walking pilgrimage proposed the vote of thanks.
Altogether 200 volunteers from Diocesan Youth Centre under the leadership of Fr. Savio D’Souza, Director of Diocesan Youth Centre as well as parishioners of Sancoale rendered their services. Parishioners of Lotoulim and the youth of Paroda Parish were of great help. Doctors of St. Luke’s Medical Guild and Nurses Guild provided support.
The faithful also had an opportunity to put down their petitions on a paper at the Cross Square specially erected for the walking pilgrimage. The Archbishop raised those petitions up though a special prayer.