Courtesy :The Goan –
Old Goa: Around 35,000 people expected to participate in the annual walking pilgrimage from five different locations to Sancoale, organised by the Church during the Lent season, which will be held this year on March 1.
Speaking to The Goan, Convenor of the Walking Pilgrimage Committee Ft Alfred Vaz informed that last year over 25000 people participated and this figure is expected to cross 35,000 this year.
“Over 35000 people are expected for this year’s walking pilgrimage on March 1, which will start from 3 am. Last year, over 25,000 people had participated in the walking pilgrimage,” Fr Vaz said.
Fr Vaz stated that the theme chosen is ‘Jesus walked to the desert’ desert’ because the Gospel that day also focuses on Jesus walking to the desert after receiving the baptism. “We also go walking to get that kind of desert experience of being with the Lord. We start the Lent in this kind of spirit,” he said.
Promising that this year the pilgrimage would be better organised, Fr Vaz, however, said the centres have been reduced to five instead of six. “Last year, there were six centres, but this year there will be only five centres as the Quelossim centre is dropped due to the narrow road which led to congestion. The five centres are Mormugao, Cansaulim, Verna, Goa Velha and Mandur,” Fr Vaz informed.
“The Ponda deanery, which was in the Quelossim centre, has been now allotted to the Verna centre. At Goa Velha, the starting point will be opposite the petrol pump and at Cansaulim, the starting point will be at the Matanhy Saldanha junction,” Fr Vaz said.
On the changes made this year, Fr Vaz stated that last year, the pilgrims were briefed as they entered inside the church. “This year, they will not be briefed in the church. We have sent the material to the parish priests who will brief the pilgrims before they start,” he added.
“All the pilgrims are expected to reach Sancoale by 6.30 am, where they will have some time to refresh before the mass starts at7 am, which will be concelebrated by the Bishop.”
“We have made extra arrangements to handle the huge number of pilgrims. For instance, last year, the toilet block was located at only one place. This year, we have spread it out at five different places. The medical cells have also been divided into five different units instead of a single one,” Fr Vaz said. “The position of the altar is also changed. This year it will be opposite the church facade, in a diagonal shape, so that all the people can view the altar. Also, five big screens will be setup,” he informed.
Asked if there was any medical emergency reported last year, Fr Vaz said that since last year, there was much enthusiasm among the pilgrims it resulted in some emergencies which were attended to by the doctors on the spot. “Only three persons were hospitalized and discharged after treatment,” he informed.
“We have made it compulsory this time for every pilgrim to carry a sandwich or a biscuit packet with them, which they could eat along the way,” Fr Vaz said and added that water will be available along the routes.
“A list of do’s and don’ts has already been provided to the pilgrims so that they follow the same. For instance, people who are not used to walking have been asked to go for walks prior to the pilgrimage.” “Also those who are undergoing medical treatment have been advised to take rest and participate next year,” Fr Vaz informed.
He also stated that there was no traffic problem faced as the pilgrimage started early in the morning, when the streets are practically empty.